Break down of a break in

[Chambers]

Chambers Sanctum sits quietly at the end of the Marina. Its lower balcony boarded up and over to create an additional room.

Given the season and weather the Marina is near deserted, only those few who like the hierarch claim residence in the area maintaining a presence, the tourists, holiday makers and casual boaters not seeing the appeal of cold and windy days on the water.

On approach to the wooden vessel sitting a0part from its carbon fibre cousins a heavy sense of still calmness can be felt the mirror like waters of the marina undisturbed, even the branches of distant trees not seeming to move in the breeze.

The hull of the floating house an the wooden front door both have the name of the vessel carefully painted in straight neat characters XXXVXCVXCVC.

It is to this quiet peaceful place that Orianna Aurora has been invited.

[Aurora]

Getting the invite, she made sure to bring the notebook she had taken notes in. This would be important, making sure she remembered things.

She wasn’t sure if a trip back was in the cards or not, the ghost was a little pissed with her after all. And ghosts were not really her thing. So she was very interested in what insight Chambers would have. Going back wasn’t something she was opposed to; she just needed more firepower or something to back her up.

Approaching, she knocks, dressed for the chilly weather in a leather jacket and casual clothes.

[Chambers]

When the knock sounds through the boat without the accompanying joke about permission he finds himself silently grateful, he had heard it many times, to many. Upon opening he finds the expected guest. "Welcome, please come on in." The Moros is dressed casual today in jeans and a knitted jumper to help against the cold.

The front door to what would have been the lower balcony is marked with the boats name. XXXVXCVXCVC, and leads into a gloomy workshop in which the air tastes of stone dust. No electronics or light sources are found within bar that which bleeds through from the trapdoor in the ceiling. Various hammers and chisels are hooked neatly on the walls, stacks of different gain sand paper are carefully filed and crates of large rocks take up two corners. A single large work surface dominates the centre of the space on which sits a cushioned box currently empty. A single unmarked door leads in the residence proper, on which hangs a heavy full body leather apron.


Once through the second door the scene that greets the visitor is one of a far more comfortable open plan space. The main living area is full of natural light, what little is offered on such a day, with a full wall window by which an armchair is set up, along the interior wall the galley which now has a well supplied spice rack and various recipes cards stuck to cupboard doors, and food storage. A plush sofa against the wall bordering the workshop. Pots, pans and the oversized stone dragon spatula from the summer BBQ hang from the elevated ceiling, a coffee table holds dominion in the centre, and small units clutter around the seating arrangements, providing both surfaces and draws for storage. The air has a hint of roses, clove and cinnamon. Steeping towards the galley. "Can I get you anything?" Aurora was a guest and so hospitality would of course be offered.

[Aurora]

Nodding with a smile, “Thank you.” And follows him in.

A saying always came to mind when she visited Chambers Sanctum, a place for everything, and everything in its place.

“Oh, no thanks, I’m good. How’ve you been?”

[Chambers]

Aurora might not want anything but he did so Chambers still clips a kettle into place on the galley and sets some water to boil before turning around to face Aurora. "As well as can be expected." And far busier then he had thought to be but there you are. "And yourself?" Given much of his business was shared with the Shaman she must likewise be under the hammer so to speak. "Forgive me, I have a lot going to keep track of at the moment, this is the house Corn, Salem, Philip and Eidolon broke into a while back correct?" What Aurora had said in the letter, what she had discovered was very exciting but best ground first in the Concilium's current objectives and tasks.

[Aurora]

“Ah, still a bit sore from a disagreement with the ghost and spirit, but nothing too exciting.” Shrugging.

Nodding, “Yes, same house, just a different outcome. I got further into the house than they did, and the ghost was more receptive to me at first. I had established a nice rapport with it.” Taking out a notebook she had. “The ghost believed I was sent there from the Order for relief, it had believed it had only been there a few years. It claimed to have never killed, made mention to not knowing how the rest of something called, Medekh died, a cabal, something about experiments.” Then a frown, “But I’ll tell you weird part, this ghost either couldn’t or wouldn’t accept that it was dead or how long it had been dead. Is that normal?” cause it was weird.

“But, when they broke into the house, they never made it into the Athenaeum, which is in the basement of the house. I was granted access to it though, even almost had it talked into moving the collection of books. But from what the ghost said, they did not kill Corn, Salem, Philip or Eidolon, though they wish they had. And I'm inclined to believe them.”

[Chambers]

That was the first he had heard that she had been harmed. "It got that nasty? How did it attack you?" Always a fascinating thing to see. "And there was a spirit as well? So fairly well defended then." Both ephemeral entities present suggest a solid degree of competence.

Most of that did not make a ton of sense to the Moros frankly. "A cabal called Medekh died or was killed? Not a word I know." Aurora was the linguist after all. "Might be worth looking it up, see what it means." That could provide them some insight, or a clue. "A few years, that does not seem right. You would have been aware of it if that was true." So the ghosts sense of time was distorted. "That is not uncommon, it can vary, some ghosts are aware others less so." Normal was a hard thing to judge. "It really can vary and common factors are very hard to pin down." But he certainly is not alarmed by the idea. "My first guess would be the means of death was traumatic." And from there work down a list of other possibilities. "Did you identify any of it's anchors?" That could also be a significant way to make sense of a ghosts origins.

That was a relief. "That three free councillors did not gain access is good news to me." Although his face sets in a grim line. "If it is willing or wishing to kill that is far from ideal. That could be a result of its less then complete state." Ghosts got rather muddled, priorities shifted, obsession took root.

[Aurora]

“Pretty sure from my study of the ghost, it was part of it. I wasn’t completely sure until I launched a spirit attack against it. It landed, it screamed, so I was able to eliminate it. Landed a few nasty blows,” shrugging, “and the ghost is keen on electricity. But when the spirit was removed, he seemed to lose some of his steam so to speak. He wasn’t able to strike me as easily. Or it could have simply been my armor, either way, we sort of reached a stale mate of sorts.” Not the outcome she wanted.

“It’s hard to piece together, the ghost was very scattered when answering questions. Direct questions about the skeleton with the knife in its chest were avoided and it redirected. It just said an experiment, that he had no knowledge how the rest of Medekh died, then that they died in an experiment. And that it put a stop to the research. Everytime I tried for more information, because I just know it was withholding things, it quickly moved to something else, avoiding it, avoiding something.”

A shake of her head, “That was what I was wanting to find, even not knowing a whole lot about ghosts and Death, that was the first thing I wanted. I had a few ideas, but I’ll admit, I don’t know how to identify them. There was a book it kept trying to close and interact with, which was just odd to me. And it got defensive of the stains on the book when I called him on it, like, it’s what started the fight. But that could be just me hurting his pride and saying he failed to protect the books.” Shrugging.

“The upstairs has some books, but they’re not as important and rare as the ones in the basement. The ghost was willing to let me touch and read those if I wanted to. Of course, in accordance with my current ranking, the ones in the basement are beyond me. But those upstairs were untouched.” Nodding, “I was able to reason with it between blows. It let me leave, so there is somewhat of a mind there. How much? Well, I don’t know. But I almost had him convinced to let me move the books to the Mysterium Wing. I just pushed him more than he was ready, about his death. But, ghosts aren’t my thing.”

Then she remembers, “Oh, I did study him, because he seemed to be,” pausing, “what’s a good word? Uhh, it seemed to flicker, especially when I pushed difficult questions, like about it letting people get away with tarnishing a rare book with blood. Let me tell you, he was not happy about being called on that. Sore spot. Anyways, it was just, odd to me, so I really looked at him, and these were the notes I took.” Sliding the notebook to Chambers. “Let me tell you, that spirit is angry and hits hard.”

[Chambers]

Now that was something entirely new to him. "Part of it how?" The question short as it was dripped curiosity and confusion. It was not something he had ever heard of before. "You said you followed ley lines right? Was there a node?" If so the electricity ghost had access to unlimited power. "The two seem to have some kind of relationship then if one affected the other." Maybe the ghost was only half the picture and they needed this spirit to understand more of it? "It must have been quite the powerhouse to draw you to a stalemate." Or it being a ghost was less in Auroras wheelhouse.

Nodding slowly. "Yes that's usually the case, most ghosts are incomplete, fragmented sometimes insane to boot. They might look like a person, have imprints of who they used to be, but they not." That was key, a change had occurred. "Reason only gets you so far, some it works better then others of course. It could be that it actually did not know, a gap in its memory or knowledge and was forced to change topics, that is a common cause of distress especially in those who don't understand they have died." As for the anchors well that was simple enough. "Grim sight picks up anything that has strong connections to death, anchors stand out under that mage sight like little else." Few things were steeped in death like a ghosts anchor.

Sounds like she hit a nerve for sure. "Okay so pride be it genuine or misplaced in its duties to keep the books. Or again could be trauma, what are the odds this skeleton with the knife in it, is the body of the person that left this ghost?" If it claimed never to have killed, if that was true then the body had to have come from somewhere? "There are several ways to remove this ghost, but I am very curious what he knows, what we can learn from it." Ghosts were after all a valuable resource of knowledge if a very trying and time consuming one.

Looking over the notes Chambers whistles. "This ghost can do quiet a bit, the mage must have been powerful when alive." Looking up to Aurora. "Where you able to speak to any spirits in or of the house itself? If the ghost has been here as long as we suspect then they might have more insight?" Fill in a few more puzzle pieces of the story. "And I know they are considered less important but the general books, the ones upstairs, any books in that house might hold a clue to what experiments were going on." If the ghostly occupant could be distracted or bargained with they might get a look in.

[Aurora]

“I say that because of the notes I took when I studied the ghost, and because when I arrived, I only sensed one spirit, a tree. No others. And when it appeared, in the middle of the fight I was having with the ghost, it looked like the ghost, just a younger, more, human version of him. It made a comment to the ghost, something along the lines of, what, again? Then attacked me. I was able to command it, which it seemed quite surprised about, letting me know it was indeed, a spirit, but the ghost didn’t seem to acknowledge it.” Sighing, “The stalemate I believe was because it wasn’t able to hurt me. Between the two they were able to a substantial amount, but I was able to take out the spirit and heal myself enough to stay up and in the fight. After that, the ghost sounded winded, like he didn’t have the power to do much, but he was trying, just not landing anything. So I let him keep trying, figuring he would get tired and we could talk. Worked, to an extent, but he threw me out. I had nothing to throw at it, I can’t really fight a ghost, I’m not far along enough in my studies of Death.” So letting it drain itself seemed like the right call.Nodding, “There was a node, house is build right on it. Good place for a Sanctum if you ask me, but also stand out if you’re looking for it.” So not too smart.

As she listens, she nods, “That makes sense. I got the sense it wasn’t all there the longer I spoke with it. But it seemed quite knowledgeable on Mysterium etiquette and whatnot. Anything related to the cabal, its death or anything surrounding it were difficult to say the least.” Then the a ha moment, “You know, I didn’t even think to use that sight. I was so focused on trying to talk it into letting me move the collection of books and Tomes that it didn’t dawn on me. Maybe a lot of that fight could have been avoided, though I’m not even sure I could have interacted with an anchor if I found it. Guess I’m going to working on that Arcana if I return.” She wanted to return, those books were wasting away.

“That’s what I was leaning towards, but it was such a nerve that I never got really close to it. Because as soon as I mentioned that spilling blood on a rare book was tarnishing it, and he should be more upset and pissed than he was, it was game on. Because I’m sorry, but that is not preserving or protecting the book. Let me tell you, he was not happy with me. But it was like he didn’t acknowledge it, like there was no problem, like it normal. It was just…odd.” Went against what she would do.

“Oh, I would love to know what he knows, love to know what happened. But I’m not sure if he’s going to be very receptive to me knocking on the door again. Even if I show up with flowers and chocolates.” Her attempt at humor. “He thinks I need go back to my Master and learn some proper respect.” It was so hard not to roll her eyes. But maybe she didn’t show the proper respect, but at the same time, how to show respect to a ghost who had disrespected such important books?

Taking a deep breath, because she was still a bit pissed about the whole not having respect thing, “I spoke with a tree outside, it was the only spirit I had picked up on, a very nice tree actually. It claimed to know nothing of any ghost, offered me two leaflets though. I said I would go back a pick one after I dealt with the house.” Seemed like a nice tree. “I would much rather deal with spirits.” She says with a small chuckle. “Technically, the ghost did say I could have access to the books on the main level, not sure if that offer still stands now though."