LL/H: Heading home

[ReubanBrightwood]

The first brush of contact between the encroaching Golden Consilium and the mages of the river city. The three having departed now stand on a dark street corner the local event that that had kept so many sleepers occupied at the pub has run its course and the babble of lightly intoxicated people some cherry, other depressed, some just a little wonky in their walk home fill the streets. The mages have a major development to discuss. Coded talk could work or they can try and find some form of privacy.

Cavendish Kelreth
Guru Shane
Skye LadySin

[Skye]

Having made sure to walk off separately, retrieve her belongings and later meet back up with her fellow compatriots, the information not grand but not like she thought she could have gained much more. Still the piece of information they had given was worrying, far to worrying especially granted on how it made things look. Not sure if Guru would realize it though, but surely someone would once they reported this and damn she was working so hard to avoid this very thing, frick.

Looking around as they meet up, making certain none were to close to listen in as she walks in close to her fellow two compatriots with a shudder, trying to nuzzle herself in quite close as if she was seeking warmth from the two and speaking in a soft voice.
”Did I miss anything of note enough that we need to find somewhere where we can speak company affairs? Or do we need to go over more than some basics?”

Knowing full well that some details were lost to her but they had gotten in and out scotch free and uncovered something they needed to report as soon as possible. Hmm wait they did have some things they needed to talk about.
”Scratch that, Josh you had a car right? Can we go for a drive and talk?”

Gear

cash, sunglasses, wooden coin necklace (dedicated tool) archery glove on, knife (in purse) purse, waterskin filled with water in belt, athletic running shoes, notepad and pen. Smartphone - turned off, cellphone/work phone - turned on, throwing knife x2, knife

Spells

Combo Organic Resilience and pulse of the living world (pot 6, armor 4)

Stats

Health: 8
Mana: 7
Defense: 2 (7 when dodging)
Speed: 15
Initiative: 11
Willpower: 2/2 (usable)
Armor: 5/6 - bulletproof (Life: 4, Kevlar vest thin 1/2)
Spell tolerance: 1/3
Spell control 1/6
Paradox spells cast: 1

[Guru]

This was bad, how bad Guru couldn't say. He just knew he needed to talk to someone who might know San Fran a little better. They have enough man power to send a contingent of five mages away, they likely have the numbers. what can we do but bow and scrape now? I don't want to have to go back to that. He groaned internally and externally as they walked down the street, his head shaking at Skye's words. He was glad Skye shifted gears so easily and picked up a place in the middle of that.


His mind was reeling from everything that had been revealed in there. It was true enough to them and that's all that mattered if they had the force to bear. They come here calling a couple of mages barbarians for killing someone while threatening the same of us all. His fists clenched and unclenched as he was spiraling now, the rage beginning to build in his chest. They were threatening his very freedom and he wasn't taking it well. He was glad for the walk but he wasn't headed straight to his car, he'd take a longer detour. A nod given to Skye, "Yea, we can walk there. I don't think we should go into the Office so perhaps its best we drive as we decide." The rage began to mix with fear as it ran cold, the thin film of sweat just starting at the hairline as he remembered the fire and the burning. The Car was risky but it was their best way out. He made sure to keep his eyes out, see if they could spot a tail though there were so many ways they could be being tracked right now. He was glad he at least got to keep from leaving too much of a trail.

3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-11-20 18:45:09	Guru rolls 5 to Spot a Tail (Wits 2 + Comp 3) (10 Again)	9, 2, 10, 9, 5, 5	3 successes

[Cavendish]

Silence is not often Cavendish's friend, he's not sure it is now. He walks with the other two and nods as they speak. "I am very curious to experience Nexus and meet..others. However that's less important right now." What else goes bump in the night? The Ladder sighs and takes deep breaths to force himself to think. It's like dealing with a bunch of consultants.

"So, agreed that we don't go into the office just yet. I'm wondering why they didn't go knocking there." He isn't exactly sure what to say but its close enough. "Given that we are a Consili, and have Councilors. We really need to let them know asap. And maybe ask some of our quieter friends to check things out." Who exactly he isn't sure.

[ReubanBrightwood]

Given this is a talk between the three of/ debrief I will take my marble out to give you the chance to really get into what you have learnt/ what the plans going forward are. If any questions come up or clarification is needed get my attention.

Alert and attentive Guru is not aware of any tail as the group reach his car and shut the world out behind the doors and thin panes of glass.

[Guru]

Guru hadn't seen anything but that didn't mean they weren't being followed or traced. There were only so many precautions his own paranoia could take care of. His own car stood in contrast to his usually colorful and ostentatious personality , silver, non-descript and one of a thousand models like it on the road. He gave another look around remembering the last time he felt like he was being watched and followed and decided to drive. He shook off the thoughts before sliding in left with little choice of escape for now.


The doors on the music kicked on rather loudly before he turned it down to a low hum but not off entirely. "I did not enjoy my time there, be careful. I don't remember a lot on how that night ended I just remember not enjoying it the next morning and not for the normal reasons." Another thing I owe Campanella, I owe the man a near infinite debt just for the kindness he's shown me.


"MY guess, they couldn't, or they wouldn't. Maybe this is an informal action?" He shook his head, maybe it was a formal inquest and they were taking it further? They didn't seem like a cabal but he wouldn't take that off the table just yet. "Agreed on that, this is decidedly out of my depth. Much like going straight back it might be worth a delay or a change in pattern for reaching out to them. I can't help but feel like we're being monitored now. They clearly have an interest here and it might be a minority voice but they said they would use force if necessary. Is it just the peace?" He could feel the vein in his head start throbbing as he continued to drive, mostly aimlessly for now as they spoke. Nothing decided, no destination in mind, just away so they could talk.

[Skye]

Keeping silent until reaching the car, and deciding to take the backseat, she was by far the shortest so easy for the two men to take the space they needed and more space for her to spread out. Biting down with a bit of hesitation as she puts the seatbelt on, damn she did not like these infernal machines but at least she had her belongings on her, taking a deep breath as they start to drive.
”Let me reiterate his words Caven, that is a place not to thread into lightly. I was there myself once, and can still recall the mystic allure of the energy beckoning me there. The sway, the strangeness, I have not been through a night like that before or since neither in contrast to worlds hidden nor emotionally. If a chance ever presents itself before you take heed and be cautious, do not under any circumstance walk there alone and watch your tongue. If things are as I suspect so do I know who lost their life as well.” Taking a moment to reflect on her own thoughts whilst scribbling on a piece of paper. ”I was not present for the event itself though but the timing lines up a bit to perfectly but it would be strange for them to react three years after the fact. So a question is why now? Three years is a very long time to wait, a lot can change in that span of time.”

Cavendish already having blown their cover were they being spied upon both being a blessing and curse, they could be a bit open but still had to be careful. It would be to easy to keep tabs on them in to many ways.
”We should be silent tonight, I request that none of you report anything tonight. Joe you dump us off somewhere we can each agree to, and you head where you wish, but not back there until tomorrow. I will spend the night walking the streets, it is not something new for me to do so I will be fine, each of you head to where your head rests upon your pillows or a motel whichever you feel is right. Limit all electronic usage that can communicate to a bare minimum, then we can report to our orders and/or councilors. Joe how do you prefer to report this? I will be open and say that I will put my primary effort into reporting to my order.”

Thinking for a moment longer.
”So if they couldn´t go straight to the consili, and they couldn´t act in a span of three years, a question we might need to ask, what has changed?” ripping of two pieces of paper to hand to them each. ”Here is the code for communication though, I will hand this to my order as well, do not name it please.”

[Cavendish]

"Three years is a long time. This could be informal or maybe San Francisco has had troubles of their own and finally got to us?" The Ladder doesn't sound happy about either of those options. The words about the meeting place doesn't inspire a smile either.

"Any chance that someone in town has a contact in San Francisco? That would help us determine if this is an official act or potentially a cabal trying to strike out and make a name for themselves." Cavendish looks out the car window for a moment. "Does Sacramento have any rumored lost relics or artifacts of magical power? They could be looking for a quick and easy win to take home."

Then the Ladder nods. "Alright, I'll hold off until tomorrow." He takes the code. "Uh, are we assuming that they've hacked the local area?"

[Guru]

Guru couldn't remember if Skye had been there the same night as he, it was all fuzzy around the edges. The Alcohol mixed with the fear which wasn't the usual backdrop to his blackouts and served as an impetus to not look any further. The Who was easy to figure out given the timing but the why eluded him. Campanella was there, he could reach out and ask though getting a hold of the man was easier said than done. He'd reach out and see what he remembered from that night that Guru himself could not. He'd avoided it for, apparently, three years now as picking at that particular wound hadn't ever proven necessary until now. Guru was going to need something a little stronger than his pen to get through that.


"There were five of them united in will and purpose. If they wished it there isn't much they could not accomplish given the time and preparation. I would believe the same of our company if we were ever united in will and purpose." He was being dramatic, he knew that. They had their own divisions and petty squabbles, he could see it with how they treated Leo which wasn't much different than here he supposed. "The only people I knew were Councilors leaving for better opportunities. The picture they painted wasn't a good one, very totalitarian. Though that wasn't much different than El Paso." He offered a one shoulder shrug, in the end it didn't matter who wore the boot someone would try it. "They didn't leave me with means to contact them and they had left years ago so not helpful now."


The drive along the highway was stop and go at the start as they merged into the greater flow of traffic out of the area. The congestion clearing up the further out they got as he took a loop around the city. "Just grab a burner if you need to contact someone, think closely about any of the connections you left behind. Other than HQ itself I can't think of anything." A lie, true, but he didn't think they were after the cursed artefact he'd found. "So we're presuming trouble is coming one way or the other, it just depends what flavor it comes in. They come into our home and call us barbarians for an alleged crime while threatening the same thing on a greater scale." His jaw was locked and clenched as he spoke through gritted teeth, knuckles white on the steering wheel as the red of rage flushed his skin.

[Skye]

”Sadly I have no insight into them at all, the city was spoken about during my last stay but only ever briefed over. There are a couple here who might have contacts or insights, although I doubt the contact part. Given the words I have heard so are we on to unfriendly terms for any open line of communication at all. What is certain though more than we were let in on is brewing, something deeper is going on.” Then again she could be wrong, but the ones possible were far to few. ”None that I have been let in on or can speak of, other than the most obvious one of course, but that one is not portable.” Doesn´t stop them from wanting to claim the Circle for themselves though, a damn strong base.

Looking carefully upon Cavendish.
”Caven an important lesson in this life is that exceedingly few things are beyond us, they could tap into any phone or device you carry with you and take the information without effort, or leave ways to track you or listen in. So say that you would contact a friend or anyone right now so is there a potential that they could figure out who they are, and learn everything about them, to later use against you. I am not saying this has happened, but I am saying it is within the scope of possibilities so why gamble in vain?”

Turning her eyes out the window at Guru´s eyes, that was an issue though, united. They were united in orders at best, but with the constant flux of members, the trust that would be needed, so maybe half the orders had that ability, maybe, but even then it would be on their terms with their knowledge.
”I do am curious about that, you certainly know more than me about our past, and have likely heard way more. I do believe it is time that all who resides here learn though, that everyone grasps what exactly we are dealing with.” Wait the way he had spoken. ”Wait you have been there? Did you witness the event in question yourself? I only felt the allure of that place once but you weren´t there when I was.”

Softly chuckling at the comment, the red rage unseen but felt.
”Is that a surprise? How many have not used that method? Claim moral superiority and ignore what you have to do in order to get out your wishes, but it sounds like we are in an agreement. Spread the codes around the ours as you wish, and do not use any electronics you had on you there. If you need to let someone in on taking care of your dog at home or things that cannot wait use a burner, or borrow a landline phone, even that is risky though as we could be watched at this moment itself.” Softly tapping the back of Guru´s driving seat. ”Where will you report this first?”

”Does anyone have anything else they feel the need to add? Otherwise if you wouldn´t mind please drop me off somewhere within the city, from where I can walk.”