Spirits and Other Houseguests

[Thirteen]

The little house at 413 Clover Lane was cute and innocuous enough. Nothing you'd pay much attention to, other than it's size. Just a loft over a one-car garage.



Oh, and the notable number of black-feathered birds hanging around the neighborhood, seemingly centered around Thirteen's abode. Along the roof line and the balcony railing, the crows were watching anyone that passed by. They paid particular attention to anyone approaching the front door.

This would be the gauntlet Aurora would walk if she wanted to knock. The crows wouldn't do anything other than caw a little. And stare. If investigated, they would prove to be nothing more than ordinary birds.

Lights were in the upstairs loft.
Aurora Orianna

[Aurora]

The Jeep pulls up to the address and the blonde hops out. A text for help could mean numerous things in their circle, and she wasn’t sure which this would be. As such, she had her Rits up, always best to be prepared then not. It didn’t sound like Thirteen was in danger, but, again, you never know, and she had learned over the years to never let your guard down.

Aurora was dressed casually in black skinny jeans, a white t-shirt and a leather jacket. Black suede heeled booties on her feet and her blonde hair in a very loose low pony.

Gray eyes take in the address, and the numerous crows, from behind shades as she walks up. The convo about the crows was remembered from the last time they talked, and she wonders if these were ones the Enchantress had befriended? But if they were only going to watch her, then she was only going to watch them and walk up to the door and knock. She had no issue with the birds, even if there was, well, a lot of them, and she had seen The Birds.

[Thirteen]

A few moments after the knock, the door opened. There was Thirteen. She smiled and stepped back, holding the door. "Hullo! Come on in! Thanks for comin'!"

Inside, it was definitely a garage. The interior was pretty sparse, currently. Her beloved motorcycle was parked in the center, with a stack of empty moving boxes in one corner. A set of stairs behind the door led up to the loft.

"You're my first guest. Seemed right, after you had me to your home," the Acanthus said. She seemed relaxed enough, not giving the sense of an emergency, though she did glance around occasionally, as if she were watching for something.

She was dressed in a set of blue denim overalls, with white sneakers and a long sleeved white shirt. Her afro of red curls was loose in all it's glory.

[Aurora]

The smile was returned, “No problem!” taking off her sunglasses as she steps in. “Always happy to help.” A quick look around the garage as she puts the glasses in her bag. “Nice bike.” Not that she knew anything about motorcycles. But it looked nice.

“I’m honored, wish I had brought something, but I wasn’t sure what the meeting was for.” She seemed relaxed. Though the glances had her wondering.

“Everything ok? I don’t usually get a text for help unless someone is dying or in trouble.” Concern written on her face as her eyes study the Acanthus.

[Thirteen]

"Thank you," she beamed as she closed the door behind them, proud of her motorcycle. "She's my baby!" The Acanthus took a moment to stare lovingly at the two-wheeled vehicle, then started up the steps. "Oh, that's alright, I'm providing the refreshments today."

Thirteen didn't stop as she climbed the stairs, "Oh, my house is haunted. That's essentially what I need your help with." She was surprisingly matter-of-fact about it.

At the top of the steps was, of course, the loft.



It was cozy, given the small amount of space. A Scottish flag hung on the wall by the kitchen. Some biker magazines lay on the coffee table of the living room, alongside a plate of those shortbread Scottie Dogs that she knew Aurora liked. Both original and chocolate.

"Sit where you'd like. Want anything to drink? Coffee? Tea? Water?"

[Aurora]

That was something she had never understood, the attachment people seemed to get to their motorcycles. Did Phoenyx ever talk about her bike like that? She didn’t remember. “You would have enjoyed Phoenyx, she had a motorcycle.” It was sportier if her memory was served her right.

Pausing and blinking, “Haunted?” then continuing to follow. “By what exactly? I’m not too efficient with ghosts, Spirits are more my specialty. Though I can talk with ghosts, I'm just not as well as some more versed in Death.” She had Death knowledge; it just wasn’t her wheelhouse.

“Love your place!” compliments the blonde, “Very cozy.” She does see the shortbread, but doesn’t say anything, her mind more focused on the whole haunted thing.

“Oh coffee would be great, thank you!” taking a seat on the couch. “So what can you tell me about the haunting. What makes you think it’s haunted?”

[Thirteen]

With a nod, Thirteen stepped into her small kitchen to pour some coffee. She already had a pot brewing. "Phoenyx?" she answered, "Oh, right. She's... an Arrow, right? The one in prison? Do you know where her bike is while she's locked up? Someone lookin' after it?" Surely someone was taking care of it. She'd want someone she trusted to do the same for her motorcycle.

"Thank you. I really like it. I rather enjoy a cramped little home. Not sure I'd know what to do with a ton of space." After a few moments, she brought a small wooden tray to the coffee table, setting it down there. There were two mugs, filled with black coffee. There was also a carton of cream and some of those sweetener packets you get from diners. The Acanthus sat on her sofa and picked up the mug with the picture of Nessie on it and a caption that read 'I'm a Loch Mess'. The one for Aurora also had a cute drawing of the aquatic monster, with the caption: 'Be Legendary!'.

"Mm, well, I say haunted, but I don't think it's a ghost. Tell me, is there such a thing as a spirit of crows? I have my suspicions it's something like that. Ever since I moved in here, somethin's been actin' like a scamp. Playin' pranks on me. But I can never see the bloody thing!" She sipped her plain black coffee, brown eyes on the Thyrsus, "Well, more accurate to say it's been playin' with me since those crows outside showed up. I'm certain they're the same murder than I've been feedin' at the park across town. They wouldn't have been able to find me here on their own. I think the trickster led them here."

[Aurora]

Nodding, “She was the former First Talon, a good friend too.” Chuckling, “And yes, the one in prison.” Where the bike was? “No, no clue. She tended to stay at the Circle, so if it wasn’t there, then I don’t know.” Maybe it got picked up when Phoenyx was picked up.

“Oh, I’m the same way! I’ve had the same loft since I moved here, haven’t changed it much. Though sometimes I change out the furniture if I find a new piece and I like the way it came out.” But other than that, she liked her loft. “Thank you! I live for coffee.” Picking up one of the mugs.

Bringing the mug up to her lips, she blows on it as she listens, an eyebrow raises, “Spirit of crows?” putting the mug back down, “I believe everything can have a spirit, if it’s good or bad depends on various factors.” Leaning forward slightly to listen to the rest of the story. The mug is picked up again as the blonde looks thoughtful, taking a careful sip, “Now that is interesting, can’t say I’ve heard of that before. I mean, pranks are better than it trying to hurt you. But maybe I can see if it wants to talk.” Because she can do that, talk to Spirits. “Do you mind if I cast?” always best to ask before casting in someone elses house. She wasn’t sure if this was a Sanctum or not.

[Thirteen]

Thirteen mused on the whereabouts of Phoenyx's motorcycle for another moment, before coming up with an idea, "Impounded is a possibility. I also suppose she could have left it in the Arrow chambers. It'd certainly be safe there." She certainly wouldn't know, as she had no access to that section. This was all just an exercise in speculation, anyway.

"I grew up in a wee flat in Inverness. Cramped is what I'm used to." The Acanthus smiled. Home was a good memory, aside from all the bad luck in her childhood. "Ach, good to find a kindred soul. Here's too livin' small!" She raised her mug in toast.

"I'm no expert on these things. It's why I'm consultin' you, Ms. Master Shaman." She took another sip of her coffee, "It's been harmless enough. Just funny noises, movin' items, and... flushin' the loo while I'm in the shower. That one was when I resolved to contact you."

Could Aurora cast in Thirteen's home? She nodded, "Please do. I got no Spirit Arcanum, myself. I'd prefer some form of communication that isn't it just leavin' lewd messages in the steam on my bathroom mirror."

[Aurora]

“Impound was my guess.” She agrees, “Though the Arrow chambers is another, I haven’t been there since she left.” There was no desire to go there anyways, too many memories of her friend. Sure, her friend wasn’t dead or anything, least she hoped not, but this was her way of dealing with her being locked away, where she didn’t belong. And not calling her for help.

Laughing, “I grew up traveling in a car and sometimes in a bus if I was lucky, so yeah, cramped is what I’m used to as well. It’s comfortable.” You knew where things were. Beaming, she raises her mug as well.

Snorting as she laughed, “Now that one is just mean, flushing while you’re showing? Mean.”
Shaking her head. “But it sounds playful, trying to get your attention, and I know I’d rather deal with that type of Spirit then some of the others.” Some Spirits could get downright nasty when they wanted to.

“I know it’s always polite to ask, before just outright casting. So, lets see what’s going on.”

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-12-16 15:40:28	Aurora rolls 10 to Spirit Tongue(Gnosis+Arcana) (10 Again)	8, 4, 4, 10, 6, 4, 4, 7, 2, 7, 3	2 successes