(1803) Sanctuary 14

[Campanella]

Campanella takes a beat when Epitaph first arrives.

Another mage arrives. With nails! Oh -

He pauses, rising, as the woman's hands turn to storied gesture that he knows intimately. And as he studies Epitaph he sees the differences between herself and the other Awakened, whom he had dubbed Mad for her flashing eyes, twisted humour and apparent lack of control. Death's Angel is a different kind of woman; and far from the nervous bundle of power he had witnessed.

"I think we can be easy, Lacuna. This Epitaph is not one of the others who I had occasion to stumble into. The Mad was more robust of figure, rounder of face, ah - less pale."

Unless what he saw was a cunning ruse that his Supernal Vision could not penetrate. In which case they were in deep shit. Campanella chose not to give into such sudden, panicked, feelings without further evidence.

As he spoke, his hands moved of their own accord, following the prescribed hand signal response to Epitaph's silent declaration.

"I am Campanella, a Moros," he intoned before he took his seat again. His eyes drifted over to Samael as the Thearch spoke up.

[Aurora]

Once again she gives the new guy her name, “Aurora, Shaman and an Apostate.” Still friendly about it.

At mention of back to the future, she nods, “In some way, yes. The Seer’s were attempting to attack us through the past. In some ways they were able to screw up a few timelines, but they’ve been quiet lately.” Which in her mind wasn’t good. But maybe she had just been in Sacramento long enough to see good people lost.

Looking to Campanella, “I believe VT brought the fight at the university right to their doorstep and beat them. If memory serves me right and that wasn’t altered.” A free hand was held up, “For all I know it could have been messed up too.” But he was right, surely they would have heard something by now if they were at the university.

Eyes drift to Sand, “That’s a good point. The ones we’ve been dealing with, they aren’t flashy and obvious. Otherwise they would have brought the fight to our front door and not this whole go back in time crap. So I’d feel safe saying they don’t seem to be associated. But they still sound dangerous.” There was no doubt about that.

“I’d rather overreact and not have a surprise attack one say then not.” Having their guard up was a good thing. No fault it that.

Did someone send up a flare or a flag of some sort saying they were low on mages?

The smile comes back, “Hi, welcome. I’m Aurora, Shaman and apostate."

Looking to the Enchantress, “They very well could be. There’s no evidence to suggest they’re friendly yet, so I say we keep an eye open for them. And given that they haven’t presented themselves here yet says a lot. And while they could be passing through, I’d rather be cautious.” At least until they found them and learned their reasons.

A shrug, “I was starting to think name tags. There hasn’t been an influx like this in a while.” which was true enough.

"Well, I don't mind looking into it. I'm pretty good at getting people to talk to me." came with the job of being a performer.

[Epitaph]

Ah, so this was the current daduchos, the one her mentor had suggested might soon ascend even higher...no matter, such thoughts could be discussed at another time. There were new and unknown things in the air...

Epitaph's artificially pale eyes observed the others as she listened to the phantom of the conversation she had walked in on. It seemed that she had been mistaken for an omen of danger that had been seen, though this was not what was most concerning to her. No, what was far more terrifying to consider was the thought that Time, and History, upon a grand scale had been altered. If anything could chill the blood in her veins, it was this, though she would not dwell upon it. Again, there were more immediate concerns...

"I mean you no harm," Epitaph assured them as she stepped forward, her hands splayed in the sign of passivity, and by extension, peace. "I've come here alone, and my only friend who once wore that style has been dead since 1998, due to complications from missing her liver."

Jacqueline, loving daughter and sister, found ten days after first reported missing...

Epitaph did not elaborate, but instead gestured towards Aurora.

"Perhaps, if all news has been shared, we might split into smaller groups to discuss the division of labor, among other things. Given the present concern for strangers, I am sure there is a measure of vetting that must be done, too."

[Sand]

Pencil paused its spinning at Epitaph's first impression arrival.

Lacuna - A+ again.

"The pen is mightier than the sword." But the quote was not literal. The no longer spinning pencil is set down carefully as an answer was awaited to Lacuna's inquiry.

Campanella's voice precluded the answer as well as the sword that had been brought to mind to replace the pencil.

Processing lag on other statements ended.

Hamia had a question.
Lacuna requested a primer.
Samael was pushing forward division of labor.

A nod is offered to Hamia, confirming the statement.

Primer [prim-er or, esp. British, prahy-mer]
noun
1. an elementary book for teaching children to read.

That explained the accent. A second nod as the pencil is lifted and a clean page is flipped to.

"I agree that breaking things down into more maneagable problems is a good idea. I'll start with the primer idea- I didn't catch everyone's associations. So come swing by and talk to me so I can make sure we have the right names and such. As well as do coverage of basics for what is going on to get us all on somewhat of the same page.

Sand steps off to the side here

[Campanella]

Campanella tilted his head to one side and grimaced.

"Well. I didn't get a look at any Nimbus. That said, I did manage to take a signature from one of the pair - the raven haired woman with the... nails... who appeared to laugh so... cruelly? Maniacally? Both. Yes. I think both."

He paused, eyes narrowing.

  

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-03-26 03:25:12		Campanella to recall a mage's signature rolls 6 to Intelligence + Composure (10 Again)		4, 9, 5, 2, 9, 8		3 successes

"If you were to ask me, I'd describe her resonance as _______ and that would give a kind of ______ twist to her signature. If you find something like _______ colouring any lingering Glyphs or workings you find around the place, I'd hazard that could be signs of her passing."

He described the taloned woman's aura as best he could, finding the experience somewhat cathartic. He'd never tried to explain what another Awaken's aura - their signature - felt like before; and he felt he had failed one some level, the words feeling somehow crudely rendered in his mouth.

"If anyone wishes to go back and check on the diner, it was _____ at ______. Looks for <this> sign. Its not the best, I'm afraid. If you blink you might miss it."

[Hamia]

Hamia is almost startled by Lacuna's request. Which, coming from her... might as well be a command. Not that she disagrees with the sentiment. There really must be a beacon somewhere, luring everyone in.

All things considered, this Epitaph does sort-of resemble Campanella's description. She regards the newcomer with a hard look when Lacuna 'points the spotlight' at her. Sharp, talon-like claws. Dark hair. Striking? Yeah.

But before Hamia can voice her own discontent, Campanella vouches for her. Or, at least, vouches that she isn't the same woman from the diner. She sighs in relief. Though the female Moros' own revelations are grim enough to set her on edge all over again.

It does feel a bit crowded, now, with everyone who's shown up. Hamia's eyes search out Lacuna's. Situations like this make Hamia wish she had a big sister. And Lacuna's big-- tall. They may not be as close as sisters, but she's the only lifeline Hamia has. "Do you want to go fill out this 'primer' or discuss the problems here with Campanella?" She may have just volunteered his name for a task he didn't ask for, but he seems to know what's going on.

[Epitaph]

"I shall attend the Primer," Epitaph declared mournfully. "Once more, please forgive my abrupt entrance."

Joining Sand!

[Lacuna]

Lacuna's lips purse. In your life you face moment that might destroy you. She had faced these events screaming, but she stepped through those fires and stood now, smouldering on the other side.

Hamia was still burning. Lacuna didn't begrudge her the anchor, or full water bucket to match the metaphor.

"If we need to provide info we'll be asked." the primer would be handed out so they'd get the info they missed a d needed with the rush of all these new arrivals. "Cone on, lets pull up a wall." she says already lumbering over to a patch of wall.

Lacuna and Hamia head over here!