(Skeleton Keys) What's in the booooox!?

Feb 3rd, 2014 07:23 PM

It was a thought that David was just coming to himself. Aileen's murmur, accelerated the process and snapped the thought violently into focus. Idly, David remembered that he once mentioned to Aileen that she should throw any idea out, no matter how strange it sounded. David understood they had long since crossed the Rubicon of strange.

David smiled reassuringly to her, in that Mona Lisa way he does sometimes, “I think, you might be right.”

“The holes,” David explains while pointing them out with his pen, “are so similar as to be identical. With the way they taper, makes it likely.”

As the one with the least seniority in the room, it all fell to David. Checking again to see if there are any tiny booby-traps, he tells the group quietly, “If everyone agrees, I can attempt to use mine and test the theory?”

Immediately, David thought of the fateful scene in A Christmas Story.

OOC

Feb 4th, 2014 02:12 AM

How interesting. "Moment please, I believe there is something that might be useful." Teo said and excused himself from the library. He walked swiftly down the work-out room and retrieved the multitool from the tool box in the closet. After the incident Scholar Heinz, Teo had added boards and extra mats to the closet as well. Sometimes equipment needed work after vigorous or vigor laced workouts.

Returning, Teo had the pliers portion of the multitool in hand, just in case something went wrong. Ready for the test, the monk took his place silently nearby and watched in silent anticipation.

**Wolven Pryde** · Feb 4th, 2014 08:02 AM

With the box looking nearly like an 'exploded' diagram of some clockwork contraption, it becomes quickly apparent that David's face will not permit his fangs access to the crevice where the holes are located. As close as he can get, however, really does seem to cement the idea that this could be along the lines of intended purpose.

However, anatomy being what it is, in order for the Mekhet to get his Kindred implements into those holes he'd have to remove them, or his entire lower mandible.

**Martha Villiers** · Feb 5th, 2014 01:02 AM

Martha had seen some strange sights in her time...but this was, she felt, going to live in her recollections as amongst the strangest.

She could only sit in perplexed silence and watch, wide eyed, as everyone fiddles with the framework and David trying to fix it to himself like it was a fetishized orthodontic device.

For a moment she gripped at her knee and wondered if the appearance of Teo with a set of pliers prepared the way for some improvised dental procedure.

Feb 5th, 2014 01:19 AM

No good.

The thought marked the period to a decision that became obvious as David began to attempt the test. A second thought though considered that the connotation of the word 'test' might have been too light for what could have been. Still, it wasn't all for naught.

“While I am certain now,” David offers the group quietly as he considers the contraption again, “that Aileen's idea is right and the holes fit a pair of fangs; it seems to be an end-point, rather than any next step. Its outer sphere still poses an issue.”

David cast his gaze around the room, both to see if they'd like a closer look at the former box and to see if they had ideas themselves. The Mortician didn't think the Chapter House had a spare pair of fangs just laying around.

**Martha Villiers** · Feb 5th, 2014 08:33 AM

Martha turns to David and asks quietly, "Sir...your powers...they work very well when turned upon the Torpid and ancient?"

She was thinking of the sarcophagus and its contents.

The box had come from there. Might the Elder within know something about the box and its secrets?

Feb 5th, 2014 09:03 AM

Shifting his weight in his chair, David shook his head, “Our ritae are for easing and assisting individuals who have made the decision to enter into the Sleep. They allow us to offer a hand into making their Sleep an easier experience.”

The Mortician's words, as usual, are carefully chosen and quietly said. Spoken in tones that would not be out of place with a Priest explaining ecumenical vision.

“Performing our ritae on those who are unwilling,” David adds, “presents dangers that are innumerable to name.”

Trust between the soon-to-be Torpid and their Funeral Priest, was essential. Without it, it would be like trying to parley with a furious storm; his voice would simply be lost.

**Aileen McFarlane** · Feb 5th, 2014 04:18 PM

Aïleen had stood silent during the whole test, wishing to let David concentrate. The anatomic problem soon became apparent, though, and she wondered what it meant. Either someone with unusually long fangs, or someone who can dislocate his jaws like a snake, perhaps. While she knew of no kindred that could achieve any of those performances, perhaps it was meant to be for a very particular breed of kindred. A spanish bloodline with something special related to their fangs or jaws, she wondered silently.

When the Mortician explained why it could be a very bad idea to try and communicate with a torpid Elder, Aïleen could easily relate. She knew only too well the state of chaos and fear that came with Dreams. And of Torpor was indeed an extended experience of those... She silently supported David by strongly nodding toward him as he voiced his reservations.

**Martha Villiers** · Feb 6th, 2014 10:32 AM

"I see...I am grateful to you for your thoughts on this." a shy smile is added.

"Well, we probably need to eliminate the Elder though...or at least revive him just long enough to identify him, then ensure he's neutralized." she nods. Her words not betraying any enthusiasm for laying the Elder low. "I suspect his presence in the Domain will only continue to cause us trouble."

"Perhaps the sarcophagus contains other elements of the frame..." she nods to the device David is now tinkering with. "...we know it is trapped. Perhaps there is more to the sarcophagus than a trap...maybe additional components?"

Martha takes this extra layer of puzzle with wide eyed intensity and urgent rubbing at her crippled thigh. Looking to Teo and the others to see if they had any ideas to share.

Feb 8th, 2014 09:33 AM

Looking up from the puzzle box, David visibly paused at the word 'eliminate' and his features sobered. “I hope it does not come to that, Grand Wyrm.” Though the Elder went to the Sleep without the aid of the Libitinarius; the Mekhet reasoned that he should at least attempt to advocate for the torpid. Not only were they sleeping history, but, they were a life (of sorts) themselves. A reverence for the torpid, lingered in the back of the Shadow's misgivings.

“Perhaps” David asks meekly, “another Domain, like Minneapolis, might be able to house our Guest?”

However, this was secondary to an idea that came to David as he tinkered with the box. “In the meantime, do you think that we might be able to make a cast of the holes? At least, we can attempt to fill the holes with soft wax, extract, and make casts and reverse engineer a sort-of key?” A break in his thought as David nodded to Martha in understanding about the sarcophagus. The Kine though Egyptian Mummies were cursed when in truth, they came face to face with protective enchantments.

The Shadow asked, “If it isn't too much trouble, is there a chance that I might examine our Guest?”

(Skeleton Keys) What's in the booooox!?

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