Glissa's Living Room(#271RA)
Bay windows facing east light this cozy yet airy room. Its walls are papered with restrained (and thus fairly inoffensive) Victorian fleur-de-lis in pale gold on off-white. Several small, unfinished Scandinavian tables, some doubling as low stools with cushions on them, are filled with videotapes or oversized books. North there is a door into the kitchen, tall bookshelves, and an inset curio cabinet; the west wall is dominated by a large fireplace (+view for a closer look), and southwards a wide doorway opens into a study. Set low under one window and slightly to one side there is a TV, VCR, and stereo with CDs scattered about, but the TV is covered right now with a muted green scarf atop which perches a cunningly-made dragon made of shiny, scaled fabric. A black futon-sofa sits facing the windows, its frame again made of pale, smooth, unfinished Scandinavian wood. The pictures on the wall reflect the eclectic nature of the house: a photograph of two women (one Glissa) sitting on the roots of a beech, another of a volcano's summit spewing bright fountains of fire, a somber brown picture of a crane on a cypres tree silhouetted against the setting sun, a Star Trek poster, and a tiny picture of a Minoan snake-goddess. The room is lit by a large crystal chandelier.
A stout door beside the fireplace leads out to the front hallway.
Contents:
Ophelia(#3263p)
Obvious exits:
Front Hallway
Set.
Sebek pages: Okay. The phone rings.
Glissa picks up the phone after several rings, and fumbling to hit RECORD on her answering machine. "Hello?" she says brightly. "Powers residence."
Sebek pages: The same boy's voice, even more weak now than ever, responds. "Hello? Please tell me Ma'i's daughter is there..."
Glissa bites her lip, face immediately losing most of its cheer. She reaches for a cat absently. "Oh honey. She doesn't come here; it's too conspicuous. But I have her number now."
Sebek pages to Glissa and Slick: The young man coughs loudly, producing a brutal hacking noise. "Please...what is it?"
Glissa recites a phone number quickly.
Sebek pages to Glissa and Slick: The boy doesn't speak for a few moments, his only sound a soft whimper. "I can't stay on the phone too long...Michael...I want to see Michael."
Long distance to Slick and Sebek: Glissa sighs. "He's out on patrol, honey. You /sure/ you can't give me your name?"
Sebek pages to Glissa and Slick: The phone jostles in the boy's hand and you hear him give a gasp of pain. "Can...I come there? Please?" His plea is a soft whimper. You can almost hear the tears building in his voice.
You paged Slick and Sebek with 'There's a long pained pause before Glissa answers. "Oh, Athena's eyes... yes. Yes, if you can come without being followed."'.
From afar, to Glissa and Slick, Sebek whimpers and unloads his pain on you. "My side hurts and I'm sick. I'm afraid I'm going to die. Or they may catch me...Please.."
Long distance to Slick and Sebek: Glissa says quickly, "Come on, honey. You know where I am?"
From afar, to Glissa and Slick, Sebek sucks in a heavy breath and almost cries, "Thank you! Oh gods above..."
Sebek pages to Glissa and Slick: Yes. I know where you are. I have your addresses...Could you...
Sebek pages to Glissa and Slick: The boy pauses for a moment. "Can you look outside and make sure it's safe for me to come."
Long distance to Slick and Sebek: Glissa pauses for a moment, doing so.
The street seems fairly quiet and your cats are calm. After a short while, though, something stirs in the shadows. A lighter flares, illuminating the dim shadow of a man in dark clothing, a fedora pulled low over his face. He paces a bit, with a strange gait, almost as if walking on the balls of his feet. The lighter's flame flickers then goes out, leaving the dim red glow of a cigarette. As the man turns his back you catch a glimpse of long, black, slightly curly hair hanging down to his mid-back. The sliver of a moon overhead peeks through a wisp of cloud and almost glints back, reflected off something lighter on the right side of his head.
Long distance to Slick and Sebek: Glissa sucks in a breath. "I don't know, honey. There's someone outside. I'm calling Michael...he's not that far away, he can get here fast."
From afar, to Glissa and Slick, Sebek gasps in terror. "No...No...They must be tapping the lines..."
Long distance to Slick and Sebek: Glissa says firmly "Then you might as well give it a try, honey--try getting here before they catch you. There's no good you staying where you /are/. Michael can help."
From afar, to Glissa and Slick, Sebek yells into the phone, "BUT THEY'LL CATCH ME AND HURT ME!" The sound of squealing tires comes from out of nowhere, coming closer. The boy goes silent and the phone disconnects.
Glissa slams a fist on the desk, causing three cats in various lairs in the study and living room to rise up in the air and dive for cover. She sits down and props her forehead on her hands, staring at nothing. Small querelous noises from the back hall finally rouse her after several minutes, and she stabs the stop button on the answering machine, angrily rips the tape out, and goes back into the bedroom to comfort baby.
Glissa rocks a grumbling Julie in her arms, then wanders back into the kitchen--with a fearful glance out the bay windows of the study-- to the phone.
Long distance to Slick: Glissa is going to ring Michael. Yep yep.
Just before you pick up the phone it rings.
Glissa flinches, causing Julie to howl with indignation. She fumbles to soothe the child one-armed while grabbing for the phone.
There is silence for a moment on the other end.
Glissa whispers, "Shh, blue-fur, it's okay, it's gonna be all right... Hello?"
An unfamiliar voice rasps in a sort of Midwest accent, "You've not seen anything. You've not heard anything. Keep it that way. Understand?"
Glissa's face works through several permutations of fear and shock. Finally she draws herself up and speaks coldly, with only a faint quaver and a voice far quieter than her usual absent-minded cheer. "By Gaia, Athene, and the spirits that watch this house, I will take no orders from /you/ or any creature of your kind."
Glissa slams the phone down.
Almost immediately the phone starts to ring again.
Glissa waits.
Glissa jogs Julie up and down, trying unsuccessfully to keep the girl calm as her own face flinches with each ring. But she lets it go.
You paged Windrunner with 'No one is at your house right now, are they? Grrrr.'.
Windrunner pages: Nope. :(
After eight or nine rings the phone goes dead, leaving the room eerily silent.
Glissa suddenly shakes her head, crosses to the microwave cart in the kitchen, and starts fumbling through a drawer full of coupons and recipes, glancing nervously through the open doorframe to the livingroom and study on the other side of the small house. Finally she comes out with a key, neatly labelled "Douglas" with a piece of freezer tape.
Glissa crosses the kitchen, jaw braces against its silence and Julie's sobbing on her shoulder, sticks the key in a jeans pocket and reaches for the phone again.
This time the phone does not ring.
You paged Feinan and Michael Powers with 'Michael's portable phone begins to ring.'.
From afar, Michael Powers clicks on. "Hello?"
Long distance to Michael Powers and Slick: Glissa's anxious but not yet hysterical voice overlays the sound of Julie sobbing. "Michael. There's someone outside the house, the same people threatening that boy. Come home, and get friends..."
Michael Powers pages: On my way.
Long distance to Michael Powers and Slick: Glissa says tightly, "Be /careful/, please, love. I'm going up to Douglas' apartment."
Michael Powers pages to Glissa and Slick: I promise, love. Stick with Doug. He'll keep you safe until we're there.
Long distance to Slick: Glissa oocly notes there is a real advantage to modelling one's IC house on my RL residence. Except in RL, I'm the tenent instead of the landlady. ;)
Long distance to Michael Powers and Slick: Glissa says shakily, "Okay. See you soon." And hangs up.
From afar, to Glissa and Slick, Michael Powers clicks off and begins calling other numbers.
l
Glissa's Living Room(#271RA)
Bay windows facing east light this cozy yet airy room. Its walls are papered with restrained (and thus fairly inoffensive) Victorian fleur-de-lis in pale gold on off-white. Several small, unfinished Scandinavian tables, some doubling as low stools with cushions on them, are filled with videotapes or oversized books. North there is a door into the kitchen, tall bookshelves, and an inset curio cabinet; the west wall is dominated by a large fireplace (+view for a closer look), and southwards a wide doorway opens into a study. Set low under one window and slightly to one side there is a TV, VCR, and stereo with CDs scattered about, but the TV is covered right now with a muted green scarf atop which perches a cunningly-made dragon made of shiny, scaled fabric. A black futon-sofa sits facing the windows, its frame again made of pale, smooth, unfinished Scandinavian wood. The pictures on the wall reflect the eclectic nature of the house: a photograph of two women (one Glissa) sitting on the roots of a beech, another of a volcano's summit spewing bright fountains of fire, a somber brown picture of a crane on a cypres tree silhouetted against the setting sun, a Star Trek poster, and a tiny picture of a Minoan snake-goddess. The room is lit by a large crystal chandelier.
A stout door beside the fireplace leads out to the front hallway.
Contents:
Ophelia(#3263p)
Obvious exits:
Front Hallway
From afar, Slick assumes that since you posed ripping the tape out of the machine after Sebek that you didn't get that second conversation. Yes/no?
You paged Slick with 'Yep. :)'.
Glissa walks back into the living room, facing the bay windows that overhang the street. Turning right she grabs for the door to the front hallway, fumbling with bolts as the cats continue to mill around her feet restlessly. "It's okay, Julie. It's okay. We're going up to see Dougie."
The house seems almost eerily quiet.
fh
You unlock the heavy bolt on the oaken door and step out to the front hallway.
Front Hallway(#3707RJL)
The panelling in this rather dark corridor is old, richly stained reddish oak, and at eye-level has a carved border of oak and holly leaves intertwined. The high plaster ceiling is coffered with inset rectangles. Set in the central one is a twin brass light, each side bell-shaped, decorated with scrollwork, and capped by old yellowed glass that diffuses and dims the illumination. A large stained-glass window, flanked by two circular, clear ones, overlooks the white-trellised porch with its creeping red roses. Halfway down the hallway to the east is a door, again carved, this one with stylized wreaths in each of its four panels: one blooming, one thick with berries, one of what looks like oak and maple leaves, and one of evergreen needles. The door is flanked by an engraved iron letter-box and a chain bell-pull. At the north end of the hall is a second door much like the first, leading to the upper apartments, which are currently however being remodelled, as you can tell from the sawdust around the door's edge and the faint smell of fresh varnish.
To the south a door inset with frosted glass opens out onto the front porch, and the elaborately-carved door to the east leads to Glissa's apartment.
Contents:
Doorbell(#2586S)
Obvious exits:
Dougie's Flat Front Door Glissa's Apartment
Glissa takes a moment to lock the door behind her, peering out onto the front porch fearfully.
A shadow flickers across one of the stained glass windows.
Glissa's eyes narrow. "Ariadneia is my name, this is my house, and /none/ may enter who mean harm to those who dwell therein. Get the fuck off my porch you bastard." She turns her back and stomps down the short length of the hall to Dougie's door, getting out her key to unlock it.
You walk up the stairs and in via the door to Dougie's flat.
Dougie's Flat(#3934RJL)
What is most immediately striking about this room is the almost total lack of personal effects or other clutter, whilst the room is fully furnished there is very little to show that someone actually lives here.
A large window overlooks the garden at the back of the house, the heavy black curtains hanging almost from ceiling to floor. A large plain wooden writing desk sits under the window, a few small photograph frames and some neatly arranged stationary atop it.
Off to the side is the small kitchenette, nothing out of place and a well stocked vegatable rack.
A small colour television sits on the opposite wall from the kitchenette, between the doors to the bedroom and bathroom. A large sofa sits off to one side of the kitchenette entrance.
The floor is delicately stained wooden boards with a few well placed rugs (all natural fibres).
On the wall above the T.V. is a bookshelf on which are a few volumes.
Obvious exits:
Front Hallway
Glissa locks the door and scribbles a note.
Downstairs there is a loud noise, the sound of glass breaking sharply.
The louder noise is followed by a gentle tinkling sound as the broken glass is stirred up then silence.
Glissa begins whispering to Julie. "The cats will keep the bastards busy. Daddy's coming, honey. He'll be here soon." She tries to make her way silently across to Dougie's bathroom, putting Julie down on the rug and setting the door so it will lock if she pulls it shut.
The silence continues to hang heavy in the house.
Eligio Sacateca pages to Glissa, The Jackal, and Therru: Driving at breakneck speeds in Al Harsin's van, it will still take us a good half hour to get into the city from the farmhouse.
Long distance to The Jackal: Glissa kept meaning to build a fire escape, but hasn't yet. The porch is only on the first floor, with access out onto the 'roof' of the porch making a balcony outside. There /is/ a door out onto the balcony.
Slick pages to Glissa and The Jackal: There does not appear to be anybody on the balcony, in the yard, or even moving around through the windows on the main floor of the house.
Glissa continues to stroke Julie's hair and face, gradually soothing the child to low whimpers. The woman herself doesn't speak, still listening intently.
From afar, Slick probably forgot a pose in there somewhere about the few minutes it takes TJ to show up.
The Jackal recognizes the woman inside and works the lock on the back door (Open Seal).
Long distance to Slick: Glissa is, IC, one MIGHTY PISSED WITCH. Not that it helps, much. Wicca's a good religion, but not /that/ powerful.
Long distance to The Jackal: Glissa is actually not visible from the main room of Dougie's flat. She's hiding in the bathroom.
You paged The Jackal with 'However, if you make a noise, she'll step out.'.
From afar, The Jackal grins and figures that unless Dougie's religious about oiling hinges, there'll be noise.
Glissa's head comes up with a sharp intake of breath as she hears someone at the door. Instantly she rolls out of the bathroom into the main room, reaching up to pull the door shut behind her.
Slick pages to Glissa and The Jackal: The silence hangs in the air like something you could cut with a knife. Nothing disturbs either of you or your motions.
The bathroom door behind Glissa closes with a click. The woman slips over to grab the heaviest book on the shelf and hefts it standing beside the front door. Fright and fury vying on her ill-suited round features as she waits.
The Jackal moves in the back door, attempting to keep it from squeaking, but not delaying for that if it should happen. Heads for the front of the apartment and the door to the stairs down.
The place seems empty. Is, in fact, empty, except for the lady with a book.
The Jackal moves silently through the shadows.
The Jackal has arrived.
l jackal
He's at least 6'6", with deep-set hazel eyes and light olive skin where you can see it below his black "Zorro" mask. A black fedora rests on his head, covering the mask and shadowing his face. Black clothing covers his body, from the boots on his feet to the gloves that vanish up the sleeves of his full-length Australian drover. The left sleeve of the coat appears to be reinforced with some sort of steel tube or coils, positioned to allow the steel to be used for parrying blows. While the coat hangs loose and open, blurring his silhouette, enough is still visible to give the impression of size and strength.
The Jackal looks back at you with undertone to his expression that's hard to define. You'd almost think he were studying you appraisingly....after a moment, he makes a decision and his body settles into an appearance of determined order. He limps on his left leg; the limp is slightly more pronounced than it was a few days ago.
From afar, to Glissa and Slick, The Jackal has now snuck in the back door of Dougie's flat... :)
Glissa, trembling next to the door, attempts to slam the unabridged dictionary down on the Jackal's head.
Slick pages to Glissa, The Jackal, Alexander, and Justinian: About ten to twelve minutes have passed since The Jackal called. A few minutes for him to get home, scout the place out, and move inside.
From afar, to Glissa and Slick, The Jackal rolls with the blow and back to his feet, *almost* tossing a surprise package at his Alpha's mate.....but recognizing her just in time to hold back.
Glissa winces in pain as she loses hold of the book, then starts backing into the kitchen like a cornered animal. "Get out..." she snarls. The sound of a baby crying again starts up on the other side of the bathroom door. "I don't care /who/ you are. Get out. My husband's coming and he'll /kill/ you."
The Jackal moves toward the front door, tossing questions over his shoulder as he moves. "How many? What weapons? Magick? Banes? What do they have?"
The Jackal digs in pockets as he moves. "Get in the bathroom. Seal the door with wet clothes."
Glissa reaches for the sharpest implement within easy grasp... probably a bread-cutting knife lying on a counter. She seems too angry and afraid to register his words for a moment, getting the weapon in hand and in front of her before the words finally start to penetrate. "I...I ... owl and feather...I don't know. They're enemies of the Striders. I don't know what they are.."
Glissa looks at the bathroom door. "I locked it," she says in confusion.
The Jackal tosses a grin your way. "Locks and I have an understanding."
There is a creak from downstairs like the sound of a door opening.
Glissa stares at the man, terror and pain working over her face. Her fingers tighten around the handle. "No. Get away from that door. I don't know who you are...get away from it." The first bravado of adrenalin and outrage is starting to wear off, letting the fear come into her voice more as she stares at him uncertainly.
There is a sound of steps pounding on the stairway, coming up.
The Jackal jerks his head toward the bathroom. "Hide. Now. Move."
The Jackal steps to one side of the door and pulls his hands out of pockets, both of them holding something.
Glissa bites her lip, hesitates, and stares at the bathroom's doorknob. She reaches for it uncertainly, giving it a try.
You paged The Jackal with 'Did you get a chance to unlock it? Otherwise she's backing into Dougie's bedroom.'.
The Jackal pages: Oops. It's the Bathroom she meant? I thought she was talking about the balcony... :P Bahtroom's still locked.
Alexander enters via the door.
Alexander has arrived.
Glissa whirls, backs into Dougie's bedroom, and is in the process of slamming the door as the front door opens.
The door to the flat suddenly breaks open with a loud crack as the frame splinters, and a six-foot biker-type follows it inside. He looks around quickly, searching for Michael or his wife.
The Jackal reacts to the sudden explosion of the doorframe by bringing both hands up and into the intruder, smashing their contents against him, and rolling across the room. *Then* looking to see who's there.
From afar, to Glissa, The Jackal, and Alexander, Slick hee hees.
Glissa's move is a little too fast for her bad knee, and there's a crash from her side of the bedroom door as she takes a tumble. But the door between her and the main room is shut. Sounds of a baby howling grow louder behind the opposite door: presumably a closet or small bathroom.
From afar, Slick really wasn't expecting things to unfold this way. I need sleep! :)
Long distance to Slick: Glissa hugs. Well, they've run off now, right? Trouble is...you just need to tell one of us what kind of clues would be left behind. I'm still logging from the time I hit RECORD IC ages ago... I can mail you the rest.
Alexander snarls with surprise and the beginnings of burning pain. He throws himself at the man on the floor, shifting into the warform as he does. One hand comes back, balled into a fist.
Alexander contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Alexander shifts into Crinos form.
Slick pages to Glissa and The Jackal: When the dust clears and you all stop fighting, you will find some things in the apartment downstairs ransacked. On the floor, just inside the front door, which Alexander rushed past without noticing, is a small puddle of sand and a few cloth bandages, sticky with pitch or tar.
Slick pages: Any tapes they could find, including lots with nothing on them or your classical music, just on a hunch. Any letters lying around. Any diskettes lying around. They didn't have enough time to go through your computer though.
From the bathroom, the baby's screams grow louder. From the bedroom opposite it, the door opens a crack as a silent mother stares out in fright, unable to just leave her child stuck and not know what's happening. But then Glissa gives out a small gasp and curls up into fetal position on the floor of the bedroom, her shoulder nudging the door shut again.
The Jackal rolls right up into TC's downrushing fist, causing his head to bounce off the floor like a basketball.
The Jackal contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
The Jackal shifts into Homid form.
Thunder's Claws draws his fist back for another punch, catching himself as he realizes that The Jackal has lost consciousness. He looks up in the direction that Glissa dissapeared and reverts to a more appropriate form, then calls, "S'OK, you can come out!"
Thunder's Claws contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Thunder's Claws shifts into Glabro form.
Glissa doesn't respond.
From afar, to Glissa, Michael Powers is still wearing the black and outfit, just doesn't have it coded for this form. :P
From afar, to Glissa and Alexander, Michael Powers is still wearing the black outfit, just doesn't have it coded for this form. :P
Alexander frowns and looks down at his unconscious victim again, scowling as he recognizes Michael. "What the fuck's goin' on around here?" He first checks Michael's pulse, then his head for any bleeding. "Lady, come on out, I won' hurt ya."
From afar, to Glissa, Michael Powers, and Slick, Alexander talks funny because he's in Glabro. Bear with him. :)
Glissa is still curled up with her arms over her head and partially blocking the bedroom door. "Go away," she says weakly. "This is /my/ house, and none may enter with harmful will. Go away."
You paged Alexander and Slick with 'Pardon me while I recover from the sight of a crinos. ;)'.
Alexander pages: You're not *kin*??? Argh!
Slick pages to Glissa, Michael Powers, and Alexander: Thanks for coming. Good night. Sorry I have to run.
You paged Alexander with 'ssssshhhhhhhh! :)'.
You paged Alexander with 'My Baby is!'.
Alexander pages: Please tell me you at least knew your husband was Garou?
Long distance to Alexander: Glissa grins. You'll find out in a moment. My WP is 7, so I will be shaking, but not totally insane at this point.
Alexander, after insuring that Michael is alive, stands up slowly and moves toward the door Glissa disappeared behind. Absurdly, he knocks. "I'm not here ta hurt ya, lady. Come on, open the door. Your baby needs ya."
Glissa slowly uncurls. The sound of the baby's wails works as much as anything else to bring her back to herself. "Julie...I locked her in, so they couldn't get her..." She sits up, leaning against the doorframe and easing it open with shaking fingers to stare at the opposite door.
Justinian enters via the door.
Justinian has arrived.
You paged Alexander with 'Do I recognize you? Think think think.'.
Megan enters via the door.
Megan has arrived.
Alexander extends a hand to help the woman stand.
From afar, Alexander has never met you before.
Glissa looks up at Alexander with a mixture of anger and fear. "Open the door, and then get away from it. I don't know who you are. I'm sorry."
Alexander opens the door and steps back. "I'm a friend of Michael's," he explains as he moves away. "Sorry about that, I thought 'e was tryin' ta hurt ya."
Michael Powers contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Michael Powers shifts into Glabro form.
Megan comes in behind Justinian, immediately looking for Alexander, and moving around the Silver Fang to reach her packmate. She gives Michael a brief nod. "Everything okay?"
Glissa lunges through the second barrier as soon as Alexander wrenches it open--a bathroom door's lock not being the most sound--and folds herself on the carpet around the terrified baby. Back to the others, she starts to rock the child, arms around her protectively. "Thank...thank you for coming. Who else is there... and where's Michael?"
Justinian stands imposingly in the doorway, scanning the room for threats.
Alexander nods slowly, eyes still on Glissa. As she mentions Michael's name, he looks to the once-again Glabro Jackal, and tenses.
Long distance to Justinian: Glissa is in the bathroom with kid.
The Jackal contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
The Jackal shifts into Homid form.
Long distance to Megan: Glissa is hiding in the bathroom trying to shield Julie from all this madness.
From afar, to Glissa, Michael Powers, Alexander, and Justinian, Megan is confused by that, but thinks it probably doesn't matter that she personally understands.
From afar, Megan nods. Danke. :)
Justinian walks toward the bathroom. "My name is Justinian, ma'am. Is everything all right?"
Megan notes Glissa's state and backs off, remaining towards the doorway, looking between the strangely dressed Michael and Alexander.
You paged Megan with 'You may not recognize him...his scent is even different right now.'.
Glissa holds Julie close. The baby's distress has only lessened slightly. Glissa turns halfway and looks up, eyes beginning to brim with tears. "I don't...know. I ran up here and locked us in...I heard them downstairs, they broke in right after I left...I live downstairs."
Glissa's voice is one note away from hysterics, now that the crisis is apparently over.
Alexander squats down next to Michael again. "Megan, can you bring me some ice? For Michael's head? I hit him pretty hard."
Justinian's voice is soft and comforting in an attempt to calm the slightly younger lady and child. "It's all right. They've gone now. You're going to be okay. I'm here to protect you."
Megan looks over at the near hysterical woman, giving Justinian a glance, but then nods to Alexander and moves out of the room down the stairs to search out a kitchen.
From afar, to Glissa, Michael Powers, Alexander, and Justinian, Megan doesn't feel like leaving the room.
From afar, Alexander waits to see if Glissa reacts to Alexander calling the Zorro-dressed man 'Michael'.
Long distance to Alexander: Glissa chuckles.
You paged Alexander with 'You recognized his body build. Glissa didn't...he was moving fast.'.
Glissa starts. "Michael?" She stares past Justinian, eyes red-rimmed. "W...was it him? His aura was all wrong...that's NOT my husband..."
Alexander looks at Glissa a moment then down at Michael. He pauses a moment, then looks to Justinian.
Justinian says "I have not met Michael, but my friends think it's him. I trust their judgement. Is your child all right?"
Alexander, at that, removes the hat and the mask the unconscious man wears, revealing his face.
Glissa kisses the baby's forehead. Her whimpers are beginning to fade at last. "She's... gonna be okay, right, Julie..." then she glances back up, and her face tightens slightly. "He's hurt. His aura's gone all weird... Does he /always/ patrol dressed like that?"
Michael Powers groans and moves, rolling over and pressing his hands against the floor. Decides against trying to stand, when he turns slightly green from nausea.
Alexander reaches out to hold Michael down. "Hold still, Mike." He rubs his forehead, suddenly tired. "I don't know, ma'am. What happened? It looked like he was tryin' to hurt ya. An' I heard shouting."
Megan comes back up the stairs with a dish towel wrapped around something, a puzzled look on her face. She looks around to once more gauge the scene before making her way over to Michael and Alexander.
Glissa starts to move and then wisely sits still. A bruise is forming on one elbow, but otherwise she looks physically unharmed.
You say "I...I..."
Glissa stares at them hard. "You're all...like Michael. Yes?"
Glissa seems torn.
Megan glances over at Glissa at her question, but hands the towel and ice over to the ahroun, allowing Justinian to handle the wife.
Alexander nods once to Glissa as Megan approaches, then he looks to his packmate. "Big bump on his head." He takes the towel and presses it against Michael's head, not roughly, but hard enough that the cold can help.
Justinian thinks for a moment. "Sepdet sent me."
Glissa seems to consider for a long moment, still hesitating. "Then you know why I have to ask that question?"
Michael Powers eeps in surprise and looks up, grateful for the cold shock. "Glissa? You're... safe."
Megan frowns, looking at Alexander, glancing out the door, then pushes to her feet, waving him towards the doorway and making her way in that direction as well.
Glissa attempts to stand, now that Julie's a little calmer. "Michael... thank goddess...Michael, can I tell these people? Can I?" She tries to sound in control of herself, and fails.
Justinian nods. "Of course. You probably also know that I can't give you a straight answer."
Megan pauses at the doorway, looking back to Glissa.
Glissa bites her lip, looking at her husband and waiting.
Michael Powers reaches out to Glissa and Julie, and murmurs, "You can tell them...what happened. These are...(he looks to Megan and Alexander with a smile, and to Justinian with a raised eyebrow)...friends."
From afar, to Glissa, Alexander, Megan, and Justinian, Michael Powers hugs his beloved mate and is so incredibly proud of her restraint.... :)
Megan comes back from the doorway, walking slowly back to stand slightly behind and to the right of Alexander, her arms crossed casually over her chest, expression curious.
Glissa slumps against the wall, head sagging slightly. "Owl's grace." She takes a deep breath, trying to gather her scattered thoughts. "The boy--who's in trouble, who keeps calling for Michael's pack...he called. I'd almost talked him into trying to come here, and I was going to call Michael. But then I saw there was a man outside my porch, watching in the window." Her face colors slightly, anger bringing the blood back into her cheeks.
Alexander cotinues to hold Michael up with one hand, the other pressing the ice pack against the older man's head. He looks at Glissa, trying to look casual despite his intimidating form.
Justinian raises an eyebrow.
You say "And I told the kid and he panicked and hung up. I went to call Michael,and then the phone rang in my...my hand...a voice told me to keep quiet on what I'd heard..."
Glissa breaks off, indignant. "I'm a witch and this is /my/ house. How /dare/ they? I gave him a piece of my my mind...I've never hexed anyone before, I'm /sure/ I shouldn't have. But I was so angry. And then I hung up. The phone kept ringing. When it finally stopped, I called Michael and told him. And then I got Dougie's keys and Julie and ran up here and locked us in. And then they broke in...
Justinian nods.
Megan lifts an eyebrow at Glissa's pronouncement, curiousity becoming faintly incredulous.
Glissa shudders. "I heard glass breaking. And people throwing things in my apartment. And then it was just...quiet...." she shudders again, making Julie whimper. "Just quiet. Until Michael came in. I didn't know it was him. I hit him."
Alexander says "Who broke in?"
Glissa shakes her head at Alexander. "I don't know. I didn't dare go down to look...I'm sorry, I should've looked out the window, I was so frightened..."
Glissa chokes off and shuts her mouth again.
Justinian shakes his head. "It's okay. You were afraid for yourself and your child."
Michael Powers pushes himself into a more stable position, then nods. "It's ok to be frightened, Beloved...only fools are never frightened."
Michael Powers holds out his hands to Glissa, pushing himself beyond the nausea for her sake.
Alexander looks down at Michael now. "And you. What were you doin', dressed up all like Zorro?"
Michael Powers snaps a look to Alexander, open confusion on his face. Then notices the clothes he's wearing. Looks even *more* confused.
Justinian says "There is a pile of sand, tar, and bandages downstairs."
Glissa tries her legs, and moves over to kneel down next to Michael, stroking Julie's cheek with trembling fingers. "Bastards," she hisses softly. "I wish I could've made the ceiling drop down and crush them. But I'm only a witch..."
Justinian says "That's what they threw through your windows, I imagine."
Michael Powers suppresses the confusion in favor of lending his strength to Glissa and Julie.
Megan's eyes snap to Justinian swiftly, but she nods once in silent agreement to his comment.
Justinian kneels down in front of the husband, wife, and child. "Do you three have another place to stay this evening?"
Alexander grumbles under his breath. Everyone but the humans can understand him ask Michael, ~Safe to shift down?~
Glissa's chin suddenly snaps up. "Wait. Michael. When the boy called...I turned on the answering machine. I didn't get it when /they/ called, but I got the kid's voice...on tape. He still wouldn't give me his name. He sounded terrible...they've broken his ribs. I could hear the way he breathed."
Justinian nods distractedly to Alexander and Megan.
Michael Powers nods to Alexander. "Yes."
Justinian says "Do you know who 'they' are?"
Michael Powers smiles and hugs Glisa tight. "You *genius*! You're *wonderful*!"
Alexander nods and does so, shifting in this more natural form: a slim young man, perhaps eighteen or nineteen years old.
Alexander contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Justinian says "And what boy?"
Alexander shifts into Homid form.
Michael Powers says "If we can get *any* kind of background noise at all, we'll be farther along in finding him."
Megan seems to debate before she, too, shifts down, as she says in English, "Do you have any kind of name?"
Megan contorts and blurs as she is transformed.
Megan slowly changes back from an overly hairy and bigger version of herself to normal.
Glissa shuts her eyes. "There's a child who's been calling for Heru... for Sepdet. And for Michael. He's being held somewhere. I've never been able to hear any other voices, but I know pain and terror. He's not faking it. And there was a man on my porch, and someone called me as /soon/ as the child hung up. I'm pretty sure it wasn't the man, but whoever was with the boy."
Glissa flinches and squeezes her eyes shut as Megan changes. "Please don't do that," she whispers.
Justinian says "I see."
Michael Powers looks around at the others. "A young boy has been calling Renaissance, off an on, for a couple weeks now, asking for Sepdet. We've been trying to find some way to get a name or location, but he's never on the phone long enough to trace...and so we're forced to rely on background noises."
Long distance to Alexander: Glissa guesses she musta been looking down at Julie when Alexander changed. ;) Ooops.
Alexander says "I'm sorry, ma'am. I just thought I'd look more... safe, like this."
From afar, Megan looks much nicer as an Appearance four, Charisma four, forty-somethign, though. :)
You paged Megan with 'VERY reassuring. I'm not kinfolk. You people give me the heebie-jeebies. :)'.
Michael Powers hugs Glissa tight and nods, "It's ok, love....it's safe..."
Justinian nods. "I see. I don't think I could help you with phone traces and such...I can see you safely to a hotel or another place to stay the night."
Glissa opens her eyes after a moment and then nods tightly at Alexander. "I...thanks. Just...warn me next time, please."
Megan runs a hand through her hair, flashing an apologetic look to Glissa and a questioning one to Michael.
Michael Powers nods gratefully. "We can stay at Chez Ren."
Alexander smiles reassuringly. "Sure thing."
Glissa looks back at Justinian. "Um. Yeah. I'd feel better with Michael's family, at this point."
Alexander says "Tep, you should talk with one of the Glass Walker Theurges. Even if you can't put out a trace, maybe they can talk with some of the telephone spirits, find out where the call's coming from anyway."
Justinian nods to Glissa understandingly.
The sound of a phone ringing floats up from downstairs. Glissa flinches agian.
Megan looks askance at Alexander, then turns at the sound of the phone ringing. She looks between Glissa and Michael, waiting to see who gets it.
Justinian stands up. "Would you like me to get it?"
Alexander's head snaps up, and he asks Michael, "Answer it?"
Michael Powers slaps his forehead. "Good idea, Alexander. I should have thought of that..."
Glissa hugs Julie tighter.
Michael Powers tries to stand, decides he's better off with Glissa and Julie. "Anyone who wants to run down...."
Justinian nods and starts down the stairs quickly.
Alexander looks to Justinian and, as the man leaves, looks back at Michael again. He flashes a grin. "I like to do a little thinking in my spare time. But don't tell anyone, might ruin my rep."
The sound of Sepdet's voice on the answering machine kicks in after three rings. "Michael, Glissa, if neither of you answers me in about five minutes, reinforcements will be on their way. If you're not either of those two people--" her voice is taking on a threatening tone as Justinian picks up and cuts her off.
Megan smirks, then makes her way over to Glissa, introducing herself in a soft voice. "Hi, I'm Meg."
Michael Powers chuckles weakly. "Gotcha. Wouldn't want people to think you were more than a big dumb brick, eh?"
Alexander grins.
Justinian pages: Hello Sepdet. It's Justinian. Everything's okay. I'm here with Alexander, Michael, Megan, Glissa and Julie.
Justinian speaks softly into the phone.
Glissa looks up at Megan with a watery smile. "Um. Hi. I guess you know who I am. This is, ah...Julie. Bluefur Junior." She strokes the worn-out child's cheek.
Glissa suddenly tenses. "Megan?" she asks softly.
Megan gets a perplexed look at the nickname briefly, but then smiles warmly, quickly. "Glissa, right? Nice to meet you, I just wish it could've been under different..." she trails off at the name, freezing briefly, but then nods warily, throwing a look at Michael.
Glissa's voice holds a little bit of spirit. "You're the first people I've /ever/ told that I knew. I swear it on Julie's life. My husband's been as careful as...as careful as anyone who had a mate to protect, and a job to do. You understand? I've put my life on the line for you people. I won't break your trust...so don't break his."
Michael Powers looks from Megan to Glissa and back again. "Talk to me, Megan. Glissa is as worthy of trust as I am. Probably more."
Megan nods distractedly, then over at Michael, "You told her my real...old name, then?"
Justinian comes back up the stairs shortly. "Sepdet said she would be here as soon as she can."
Alexander smiles at Glissa. "Hey, your husband found Megan and I... almost a year ago. In a pizza parlor. I didn't even know, back then. She did, but I was totally clueless."
Michael Powers shakes his head. "I introduced you two, back...when you were still a cub."
From afar, to Glissa, Michael Powers, Alexander, and Justinian, Megan . o O ( First sign of going old, the mind goes. )
Glissa shakes her head silently at Megan. "He doesn't tell me what goes on...in his work. Except about family. A little. Enough so...I know he has friends that keep him safe."
From afar, to Glissa, Alexander, Megan, and Justinian, Michael Powers is not sure he'll be able to reconnect after the reboot. If not, G'night. See you tomorrow.
Glissa's face darkens slowly. "As safe as..you can be."
Megan glances between the husband and wife, curious and a little bit confused. "I think I missed something. Talk to you about what, Michael, tell us what, ma'am?"
Michael Powers hugs Glissa tight and murmurs, "Nothing, I guess...you looked...concerned."
Glissa shakes her head. "Nevermind," she says tiredly. "After a year of keeping my mouth shut for fear of endangering Michael and all of you, I've come to expect the ground to open under my feet for even a whisper. Let's...let's get to Renaissance's place...Julie's tired..."
Alexander indicates Michael's clothing. "Do you want to change first?"
Michael Powers nods and lurches to his feet. Looks down at his clothing and shakes his head, a total lack of understanding in his eyes.
Alexander asks Michael as he changes, "Why don't you tell us what you remember, Mike?"
Michael Powers bites his lip and grabs for the hat and mask, muttering, "Time enough to figure it out later. Let's get to Chez Ren."
By now Julie, exhausted and shellshocked from all the strange people, is sleeping fitfully and only occasionally giving out a peep of discontent. Glissa seems to remember something, and walks over to the desk awkwardly, settling Julie against her as she scribbles a note.
l note
note(#3185)
Douglas, 9/20 evening
I'm so sorry about the door. There were people people watching the house, people who have been after my husband's pack for weeks now. They threatened me on the phone, and I lost my temper at them. After that I ran up to your apartment and locked myself in--I /am/ sorry, but I had to keep the baby safe. At least one person broke into my apartment downstairs, but I didn't see them. Alexander broke down your door trying to come to my aid up here, because he thought I was in trouble. I've gone to Michael's pack's place.
Alexander shrugs and lets the matter drop.
Megan frowns, then says to Alexander, "Justinian said Sepdet's coming over. I'll wait here for her. You go ahead and escort them, keep 'em safe?"
Alexander nods to Megan, "Sure thing. You'll be OK?"
Michael Powers nods to Megan and heads for the stairs. "Be careful, Megan. Whoever it is that's doing this...." Shakes his head. "Just be careful."
Megan nods, throwing Alexander a wry smile. "I'm a big girl. I'll yell if they come back."
Glissa looks over at Megan worriedly, then just shakes her head and sighs. She hoists the child again with a wince.
Michael Powers slips in and whispers to Glissa.
Alexander grins at Megan and nods. "You know where to reach me."
Michael Powers whispers "I should carry her...you're hurt."
You say "Isn't there /any/ way you could like, magic a spell on me or something and make me strong enough to be /useful/?" The witch snorts. "No, I know. I hate this. Le's go, love.""
Megan snickers softly, tapping her forehead with her fingers. "Take care. I'll see if I can find anything else we mighta missed hurrying in."
Glissa looks at Michael with fond reproach. "Beloved, I am not hurt. I just wrenched my shoulder heaving books, okay?"
Michael Powers looks confused...."If you say so.....you're sure?"
Glissa nods. "I'm sure." She kisses his cheek, and then heads--carefully--for the stairs.
Michael Powers looks out the door and bites his lip for a minute, then pulls out his phone to call a cab.
Alexander puts a hand on Michael's shoulder and murmurs, "Sorry I had ta hit ya earlier."
Michael Powers looks at Alexander with total lack of understanding....."Huh? Is that how I got the bump?"
Alexander nods slowly, and doesn't say anything except, "Later."
Glissa pauses at her own door, fumbling for keys. "I'd...Megan!" She calls up the stairs. "I'm leaving my keys down here. Get the tape by my answering machine, please...it might be useful." Then she gives Michael a worried look, but doesn't ask...yet. 1