Adalia's exit

[adalia_krause]

* L - Michael is sleeping on Grant's couch despite it being afternoonish
(Aus) [Grant] (for his part, is going to answer the knock knock knocking on his door)
(niknik) (Adalia) *is doing the knock knocking, and has a antique wooden box with her*
(Aus) [Grant] Afternoon, Adalia... a present for me? (smiles a bit, and opens the door to let her in)
(niknik) (Adalia) *smiles, and walks on in* Sorry to say.. no- unless you know magic.
(Aus) [Grant] Then no, though the box is pretty. (closes the door and locks it behind her) How are you feeling today?
* L - Michael is all cutely curled up under a quilt and making snore noises from the couch.
(niknik) (Adalia) ..not so well- but I wanted to work on solving the mystery behind this town. Oh.. *quiets when she eyes the sleeping Michael* I didn't realize he would still be asleep
(Aus) [Grant] Well, he's been worried about you.
(niknik) (Adalia) He has?
(Aus) [Grant] So've I. He thinks something might be magically wrong in your direction... which reminds me.
(Aus) [Grant] (holds up his keychain) Have you gotten a new one of these for yourself yet?
(niknik) (Adalia) ..no. I think it's useless for me to have one- considering where I live.
(niknik) (Adalia) There are some epell books in this box- if something wrong, maybe it's in one of these books.
(Aus) [Grant] Uh-huh. And you've started feeling weirdly sick since you stopped having one?
(Aus) [Grant] Call it stupid, but I'd recommend you take mine for a while.
(niknik) (Adalia) I don't want to take yours... *takes it anyway* I'll have to see if I can find any more.
(Aus) [Grant] (nods) Well, if I start getting chased by demons or feeling weird, I'll let you guys know.
(niknik) (Adalia) *sets the box down and opens it* I hope nothing happens to you..
(L) [Michael] *apparently less asleep now* Grant and I can share. I stay here all the time, anyhow.
* L - Michael sits up.
(niknik) (Adalia) *smiles* Hi Michael
(niknik) (Adalia) I'm sorry to wake you.
(L) [Michael] *smiles sleepily* Hi, Adalia.
(L) [Michael] It's okay.
(niknik) (Adalia) I took some stuff from the office that looked like it could be magical.. I thought that we could use it to find out what's wrong...
(L) [Michael] I tried, last night. Some stuff I found out.. you're getting weaker. It's something to do with the spell for the town...
(L) [Michael] One of 'em.
(Aus) [Grant] (wryly) I'm starting to think Michael's better to have around than a keychain, you know?
(niknik) (Adalia) *frowns* My Father and Brother have been really worried about me...
(niknik) (Adalia) Yes.. he's great to have around
(L) [Michael] 'Course they are. They're your blood. If something bad's affecting you, it might start in on them next.
(Aus) [Grant] (wryly) The good news is, that at least means they aren't directly responsible.
(niknik) (Adalia) I didn't think they would want to make me sick.. They are protective of me.. even though we don't get along
(L) [Michael] You have things for me?
(niknik) (Adalia) Yes. *smiles* All this stuff looked like it was magical. *gestures to the box* And a few books with spells in htem.
(Aus) [Grant] Well, I'm not too trustful of most anyone around here... that I'll admit.
(L) [Michael] Ooh.. Grant, can you open it for me? *looks like he doesn't want to touch the box or what's in it until he sees it*
(Aus) [Grant] (nods, and carefully opens it up)
(niknik) [its a couple of old spell books, some white candles, herbs, a few crystals, a pendant, some inscense(sp?), and a white handled knife]
* L - Michael starts carefully touching things, cautiously making contact briefly to get a feel for anything that's evil or wrong.
(niknik) [everything feels rather neutral - the pendant however, does not feel evil, but does feel out of place.]
* L - Michael frowns a bit, picks up the pendant and starts trying to get a better feel for it.
(niknik) [Pendant - should be Adalia's. It's very, very old, and feels a bit like the keychains]
(L) [Michael] This belongs to you. You should wear it.
* L - Michael offers it to Adalia.
(L) [Michael] It'll be like the keychains, kinda. But it's very, very older.
(niknik) (Adalia) ...ok. *takes it, and looks at it carefully before tying it around her neck*
(niknik) [It's a black disc, on a silver chain, sorry]
* L - Michael starts handling the knife next.
(Aus) [Grant] Hmm.
(niknik) [knife - never used to kill anyone- also very old. it is a very neutral knife, noting special is engraved on it.. it's pretty plain and boring]
(L) [Michael] It's old. That's about it.
* L - Michael starts playing with the crystals next.
(niknik) [Crystals - used for protection and healing spells, not evil at all- pretty good actually. You can't tell what type they are- but they are crystals, right?]
(L) [Michael] Good for protection and healing spells. Nice crystals, they're good.
* L - Michael moves on to the herbs.
(niknik) (Adalia) .. That box was locked away a file cabinet
(L) [Michael] What happened to your mother?
(L) [Michael] You never mention your mother.
(niknik) [herbs- standard variety dried herbs, for use in spells. These are not as old as the other stuff in the box, but have been there for about 20 or so years]
(niknik) (Adalia) She died when Hans and I turned five.
(L) [Michael] Maybe this was your mothers stuff.
(niknik) (Adalia) It could have been- Father never talks about her.
(L) [Michael] You should try to find out. There's people in town who knew her, not all of them can be bad.
* L - Michael checks out the candles, particularly to see if they've been burned any
(Aus) [Grant] If nothing else, I could ask around a bit.
(niknik) [candles - yes, have been burned, and yes, they are old. Nothing evil about them, however]
(L) [Michael] Candles are old too, been burned. Herbs must have been there twenty or so years, so.. maybe from them.
(L) [Michael] Let's see the books now, maybe we can use this stuff to cast... *starts checking through books*
(niknik) (Adalia) I think I will ask about her. Grant, you said you would help? I would appreciate that very much.
(Aus) [Grant] (nods) If nothing else, I can just ask about the whole family and see what turns up.
* L - Michael is engrossed in the books
(niknik) [Books - one of them is a book of shadows- spells to shield and protect, spells to hide. Another of the books looks like another book of shadows, but is written in high german. The thrid book looks like a journal, partially translating the german book- which is some type of history detailing what happened when Mittilagart was discovered]
(Aus) [Grant] Want something to eat?
(niknik) (Adalia) Yes, what do you have?
* L - Michael starts reading the history book
(Aus) [Grant] I've got some microwave pizzas, hot pockets, burritos, a few TV dinners... or chili ingredients.
(niknik) (Adalia) Chili ingrdients? I know how to make chili. *smiles*
(L) [Michael] Ummm... guys...
(niknik) (Adalia) Did you find something good? A spell?
(Aus) [Grant] Yo?
(L) [Michael] Um... well.. this is about the town's history
(L) [Michael] Basic summary.. a group of people went into a dead forest and summoned a demon.
(L) [Michael] They made a deal with it..
(L) [Michael] This one guy sacrificed his eldest daughter to it for wealth. And then the others were like "Oh cool, we have daughters we aren't using" and did it, too.
(L) [Michael] It doesn't say, but I can feel it.. it was the Krause that started it.
(L) [Michael] And then the women started learning protection spells.
(L) [Michael] But whoever was translating this didn't get to finish- it's a translation from this book *taps the old high german book* I can't read it, but I think maybe William can.
(niknik) (Adalia) ... I think I prefer the story where the giants live under the ground
(L) [Michael] When you and Hans were five..*ponders*
(L) [Michael] That means you and Hans are twins, right? Same age?
(niknik) (Adalia) Yes. I'm fourteen minutes older.
(Aus) [Grant] Heh... I wonder if they keep doing that.
(Aus) [Grant] How old do they generally grow their women to before killing them?
(L) [Michael] Maybe that's why things are getting weird..
(niknik) (Adalia) ... I hope not- I don't want to die. *frowns*
(L) [Michael] Maybe it's time to start sacrificing Adalia to the demons, but 'cause she's a twin, if she dies, it might kill Hans too.
(Aus) [Grant] About that 'leaving town and never coming back'...
(L) [Michael] So the demons might be getting pissed off at daddy.
(Aus) [Grant] Excuse me a moment.
(Aus) [Grant] (heads for the phone to give Eva a call)
(niknik) [Eva] *answers the phone* Hello?
(niknik) (Adalia) .. so if we sacrifice Hans, I still might die?
(L) [Michael] Yeah.... I don't suppose there's a way to make your brother less of a dick, is there? I mean, is he evil, or just a spoiled brat?
(Aus) [Grant] Hey, Eva. It's Grant. Could you do me a favor and come over here - and snag William, if he's available? It's sort of important.
(niknik) (Adalia) ..I'm not sure.. he is awfully spoiled
(niknik) [Eva]- Yeah.. ok. I'll be there soon.
(L) [Michael] 'Cause if we could get him on our side, it'd be really good. He seems to want Grant to run on his ticket and all...
(Aus) [Grant] Thanks, Eva.
(L) [Michael] Maybe if Grant could get to be his friend, we could try to get him to be more on our side and less...daddy's boy.
(L) [Michael] 'Cause sometimes it's easier to relate to someone you're not related to, you know?
(niknik) (Adalia) I could try talking to him.. he's a little jealous that I have friends
* jasonbeast has joined #smalltownusa
(Aus) [Grant] (nods) I could do that. After all, I'm earnestly intrigued by this town.
(L) [Michael] *nods* Sometimes guys..um.. y'know... relate more to other guys than Adalia.
(L) [Michael] Sisters, I mean. Y'know...
(L) [Michael] Plus, I think your brother might be gay.
(Aus) [Grant] ... (eyes Michael)
(niknik) (Adalia) ..gay?
(niknik) (Adalia) Hans is always complaining that he can't seem to keep a girlfriend
(L) [Michael] The half-hearted attempts to make women like him. The Britney Spears...
(L) [Michael] He might be..y'know... repressed.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *pulls up out front in his truck*
(niknik) (Adalia) .. That would explain so many things.
(L) [Michael] Either that, or he's trying to be metrosexual and failing badly.
(niknik) [Eva] *is there too*
(Aus) [Grant] (peers outside, and opens the door)
(jasonbeast) [William]: *on his way to the door* Howdy. So what's going on? *has his crowded-looking valise in his hand*
(niknik) [Eva] Hey...
(Aus) [Grant] Just talking 'weird shit of town'. And I was mildly curious... Eva, how old are you?
(niknik) [Eva] Eighteen... why?
(jasonbeast) [William]: Popular topic. *beat* The town and weird, not Eva's age. Everyone knows she's seventy-two.
(niknik) [Eva] I look 72?
(Aus) [Grant] Because I've got a wacky theory about virgin sacrifices.
(Aus) [Grant] Apparently, the elders of the town founded this town by sacrificing their eldest daughters.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Well, maybe on a bad day. *winks, settles, starts taking out books*
(jasonbeast) [William]: Well, does anyone here remember Adalia's first poem, from the first club meeting?
(Aus) [Grant] Mhmm.
(niknik) [Eva] I've got an older sister, so maybe i'm safe?
(jasonbeast) [William]: ... yeah. It wasn't a poem, so much as a riddle.
(Aus) [Grant] (nod) Alright, then, you luck out.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Matches ... this. *hands over a thin volume with a post-it sticking out about halfway through it* This is an account written down in the 16th century, based on oral traditions handed down from a Norse village in what is now Denmark.
(Aus) [Grant] (takes it to take a look-see)
(jasonbeast) [William]: Kind of obscure, but I'm interested in the obscure, so ... had that on hand.
(jasonbeast) {{ Well, it's not quite in English }}
(niknik) (Adalia) ..I have recurring dreams- that is one of them.
(jasonbeast) [William]: It describes a ritual very similar to the circle that Adalia was talking about, and the girl in the middle was ... well.
* L - Michael is listening very quietly
(jasonbeast) [William]: Typically the daughter of a leader, a king, a warlord. Usually a virgin.
(Aus) [Grant] (offers it to Michael)
(Aus) [Grant] Heh. So yeah. Moderatley concerning.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *nods* Yeah. Something I'm sure I'd like to head off at the pass.
* L - Michael takes and looks
(niknik) [Eva] I guess I'm lucky i'm not the oldest.. *looks away from Adalia*
(Aus) [Grant] (dryly, to Adalia) So why was it you told us it was a good idea to avoid parties?
(jasonbeast) [William]: *sympathetic look to Adalia* For what it's worth, I been tryin' to figure out if I've been mistaken about this ... if I was just jumpin' at shadows. And it never seemed the right place or time to just spill what I knew about it to ya.
(niknik) (Adalia) The people that get invited disappear. It's usually new people- or teenagers that don't seem to fit in
(Aus) [Grant] Heh.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *nods* That'd be another type of sacrifice altogether. Not a big appeasement to the Jotun, but a minor one.
(Aus) [Grant] When was the last big party?
(niknik) (Adalia) About a month ago...
(Aus) [Grant] (bemused) I wonder how fast a GPS tracker can be shipped here from out of town.
(niknik) (Adalia) There is supposed to be another party next week. They are inviting all the scholarship students from the college
* L - Michael frowns
(Aus) [Grant] What day?
(niknik) (Adalia) Thursday.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Damn. We have to do somethign about that one. *disturbed look*
(Aus) [Grant] I think I might pop in, then.
(niknik) [Eva] I was invited to one that week we all met. *frowns*
(niknik) [Eva] I didn't go, cause you said not to.
(Aus) [Grant] (wryly) I wouldn't drink at one of those parties.
(niknik) (Adalia) People go to those parties, and don't come back. My best friend went to one, and didn't come back. I don't want to lose any of you. *upset*
(Aus) [Grant] Then we'd better make sure we don't get lost, won't we?
(jasonbeast) [William]: *nods*
(L) [Michael] ...speaking of sticking together.. um...
(L) [Michael] Maybe we should call Ambria over and explain some of this to her?
(L) [Michael] 'Cause... I'm not sure how much she knows.
(Aus) [Grant] Me either... That's why I was holding off.
(Aus) [Grant] (wry) Who wants to give the talk?
(jasonbeast) [William]: I'd be willing to ... but I've been told I can be a bit dry. *smirks*
(jasonbeast) [William]: We could all give the talk. We all know different pieces of the puzzle.
(Aus) [Grant] Reasonable enough.
(niknik) (Adalia) ..did you show William the history book? There might be something that he can translate that could help?
(niknik) (Adalia) Does anyone have Ambrias phone number?
* L - Michael hands over the book.
(L) [Michael] Um... I don't.
(Aus) [Grant] Just a sec. (fishes in his pocket... takes out his little black book and flips) I got it in here.
(niknik) (Adalia) Do you want to call, or should I?
(jasonbeast) [William]: *leans back and flips through the book ... gets a dictionary out of the valise and gets to work on it*
(niknik) (Adalia) *is sitting on the couch right now*
(Aus) [Grant] Well, I'll try - I seem to annoy her, though. (chuckles and goes to get the phone and make with the callign)
(L) [Michael] That's 'cause she thinks you're cute.
(L) ~Ambria~ *answers after a few rings* Hello?
(Aus) [Grant] Hey, Ambria? This is Grant.
(niknik) (Adalia) *seems to be dozing off a bit, now that the book is being translated, and Grant has Ambria on the phone*
(L) ~Ambria~ Oh, hello Grant. How are you?
(Aus) [Grant] Doing interestingly... say, would you mind coming over and paying our writing club a visit? We're doing some interesting translations and interpretations of local lore that you might be interested in.
(L) ~Ambria~ Oh certainly- I have time. Where are you?
(Aus) [Grant] Well, we're at my apartment... got a pen? (starts giving address/directions, when she does, hehe.)
(L) [Michael] *frowns a bit, heads over and tugs on William's sleeve to get his attention
* L - Ambria writes it down
(L) ~Ambria~ Alright, I'll be over in just a bit. Thanks for inviting me. Should I bring anything?
(Aus) [Grant] Well, we might be making chili, so if you want to bring some sodas... (chuckle) Otherwise, should be good.
(L) ~Ambria~ I can do that. I'll be over soon - see you then.
(Aus) [Grant] Looking forward to it. (hangs up) There we go.
(niknik) [Eva] Chili? That sounds pretty good
(jasonbeast) [William]: Oh yeah. *nods, flips a few pages*
(jasonbeast) [William]: Yeah, Michael?
(L) [Michael] Adalia's going away. Soon.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *frowns, glances at Adalia* Adalia ... ?
(jasonbeast) [William]: *who is dozing*
(jasonbeast) [William]: Huh.
(niknik) (Adalia) *dozes at you, haha*
(jasonbeast) [William]: Umm ... I'm guessin' you don't mean to New York City or someplace?
(L) [Michael] Her and Grant were planning a drive.. hope it's only that, but...
* L - Michael shakes his head.
(L) [Michael] I don't know.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Well. *grim look* This book doesn't make her future look very bright. Seems the menfolk hereabouts figured girls was pretty much useless, 'cept for the procreatin'.
(jasonbeast) [William]: So sacrifice was what they were used for. The women started seeking help from the spirit world, to stop this practice ...
* L - Michael frowns a bit
(jasonbeast) [William]: and they learned ways to hide. I reckon that involved the medallions we all got from Miss Adalia ... though it doesn't specifically mention them ... but something handed down from mother to daughter, among the women who survived.
(Aus) [Grant] Heh. And I'm guessing the 'menfolk' know about 'em, considering Hans is handing them out to his friends.
* L - Michael points to the disc thing around Adalia's neck
(L) [Michael] That.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Back around '55, there was a group ... kinda like us ... tryin' to end things, the killings. They failed.
(Aus) [Grant] Sounds charming. I don't suppose any of you are interested in working to track down deadbeat dads in New Orleans?
(jasonbeast) [William]: *nods* Yep. They know that the girls are sacrificed, they know it's easy to get rich around here if you're well connected. And they're fine with it, it seems.
(niknik) [Eva] New Orleans? Thats really far away right?
(L) [Michael] I wanna go with you if you leave here.
(L) [Michael] ..but it won't help fix things any.
* L - Ambria pulls up to the house in a little white VW Beetle.
(jasonbeast) [William]: I came here hopin' to study things ... get a look at these practiced up close. *rueful look* Good anthropologist isn't supposed to get involved, but ... somethin' has to be done, here.
(niknik) [Eva] Anything in there about how to fix things?
(jasonbeast) [William]: That would be nice, wouldn't it? *chuckles* ... Lemme dig through a bit more, maybe somethin' here'll point us in the right direction.
(L) [Michael] The group from fifty-five...they fail, like die? Or did some of them surive...'cause we could try to find one and ask.
(L) [Michael] What they found out. What they tried.
* L - Ambria comes to the door carrying a couple of six packs of soda. Knock-knocks
(Aus) [Grant] (heads to answer the door) If nothing else, there's always checking the dead.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Huh. Well I'll be dipped in shit. *glances at Eva apologetically* Sorry.
(L) ~Ambria~ Hey... *smiles* I hope Coke and Dr. Pepper are okay.
(L) [Michael] Ew.
(Aus) [Grant] Welcome, Ambria, come on in. William and Michael've been doing some translating... just have a seat anywhere.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *smirks* Colorful, I know. Anyway. Uh ... seems the group from '55 was based out of 1790 Baseline Road. You know ... my house.
(niknik) [Eva] Your house?
(jasonbeast) [William]: *nods*
(niknik) [Eva] ...
(L) ~Ambria~ Thanks. How's the chilli coming? *puts the soda down*
(jasonbeast) [William]: You know ... there's boxes of stuff in the attic I haven't had a look at yet. Don't know if the powers that be around here would've looted it, but ... maybe something useful's lurking there.
(L) [Michael] Ooh... attic exploring.
(jasonbeast) [William]: That can be fun. *smiles* I just ain't had the time to get to it, yet.
(jasonbeast) [William]: But ... seems I should make time, very soon.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Miss Ambria ... sorry ... how are you today?
(L) ~Ambria~ I'm fine, thank you... *smiles* How are you all?
(L) [Michael] Um... been better.
(niknik) [Eva] ...yeah. There's stuff we have to tell you.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Puzzled, and a little creeped out. *glances at Adalia* And somewhat unconscious.
* L - Michael picks up one of the spellbooks, and starts looking through it purposefully.
(Aus) [Grant] Should be ready in a bit.
(jasonbeast) [William]: It seems the secret to this here town's prosperity is a pact with demons. Jotun, specifically ... the giants of old Norse legend.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Can't rightly call 'em myth, if they really exist.
(L) ~Ambria~ ...demons?
(jasonbeast) [William]: *nods slowly* I know, it's a lot to swallow.
* L - Michael puts his finger on a particular spell.
(L) [Michael] Here...
(jasonbeast) [William]: Hm?
(L) [Michael] This. This would tell us where she's going.
(L) [Michael] But...*frowns*... I'm not sure I should....
(niknik) [Eva] It can't really hurt anything, can it?
(niknik) [Eva] If its just going to tell us something? But if it can- then maybe we shouldnt do it?
(niknik) [Eva] I don't know that much about magic...
(Aus) [Grant] (wryly) Yeeeeeah. Ain't local history fun? (goes to check the chili)
(L) [Michael] I don't know.. I mean, we could do it. And we'd know. But... do we want to know?
* L - Michael looks to Grant and William.
(Aus) [Grant] I want to know e-ver-y-thing.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *q* It'd be good to know.
(Aus) [Grant] Like why the sky specifically likes to taunt me.
(L) [Michael] Alright... *starts taking some of the ingreedients that were in the box out to use to help him with the spell- a crystal, the white candles, the knife*
(L) [Michael] Um... I can do it myself, but... I think you guys being here helps. Like... if you witness it, it makes it stronger somehow.
(Aus) [Grant] (cheerfully) Don't worry, Ambria, he's the good witch.
(niknik) [Eva] .. so all I have to do is watch?
(L) ~Ambria~ That's good... I'd hate for him to be a bad man witch.
(L) [Michael] *miffed* Warlock.
(L) [Michael] Yeah um... if you wanna hold hands or something, you can. It helps focus.
(niknik) [Eva] *tries not to giggle at 'man witch'
(niknik) [Eva] *holds a hand out... hey if it will help..*
(Aus) [Grant] (stirring the chili) Do I need to comeb ack in there?
(L) [Michael] Yes, please.
(Aus) [Grant] (stir, stir, stir...) Alright. (puts the spoon down and heads back in)
* L is now known as L[food]
* L[food] is now known as L
(niknik) [Eva] The chili smells good.
* L - Michael gets the spell stuff in place
(L) ~Ambria~ I think we're suppoed to hold hands.. *is holding Eva's hand on one side, and reaches for Grant's*
(jasonbeast) [William]: *holds whoever's hands he's supposed to*
(niknik) [Either eva's or Grant's]
(Aus) [Grant] (snags some folks' hands, gorramnit.)
* L - Michael makes with the spell castin'
(niknik) (Adalia) *is waking up, rather upset* Not yet dammit. I'm supposed to have more time.
(L) [Michael] More time for what...and not yet for what...? Please, Adalia... you've got to tell us.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Yeah, anything you have to tell us is going to help, Miss Adalia.
(niknik) (Adalia) I'm supposed to have more time with all of you- more time to live.
(Aus) [Grant] Well, that would be why trying not to die would be a good thing.
(L) [Michael] *frowns* Where are you going, Adalia? Where do they want you to go?
(niknik) (Adalia) The tunnels, they lead to the demons. One under each house. They aren't getting fed enough- thats why things are going wrong.
(niknik) (Adalia) The contract has been broken... the demons arent happy
(L) ~Ambria~ ...there's a demon tunnel under my house? ....I'm moving.
(Aus) [Grant] Broken how?
(niknik) (Adalia) *takes off her necklace and hands it to Ambria* This is for you now.
* L - Ambria takes it hesitantly
(L) [Michael] Adalia! Adalia, listen to me...
(L) [Michael] You don't have to let them take you. You can fight it... you have to stay with us.
(niknik) (Adalia) I'm not going with them.
(L) [Michael] Then why...what's going on? I don't understand...
(Aus) [Grant] She wants to leave town for good?
(niknik) (Adalia) I wanted more time.. even if only a few more days.
(jasonbeast) [William]: ... Then stay. It's that simple.
(niknik) (Adalia) *starts giving hugs, starting with Mike* Thank you.
* L - Michael hugs and kinda starts crying and being clingy No, no, no...
(niknik) (Adalia) *smiles a little to everyone, and then darkness*
(Aus) [Grant] (dryly) Oh, that is just cheap.
(niknik) [Well, she's not there anymore. and.. uh- penlight anyone?]
(jasonbeast) [William]: *flicks his Zippo*
(Aus) [Grant] This is familiar. (fumbles in his pocket for his light)
(L) ~Ambria~ Ack!
(niknik) [Starbucks - right where the first meeting took place]
(L) [Michael] No, no, no... *is seriously freaking out*
(niknik) [You hear a door open, and someone calling out 'Hello?']
(Aus) [Grant] (calls) Hello.
(L) ~Ambria~ ...where are we?
(niknik) [?] - There's been a blackout- Mr. Mayor-is that you? We are working very fast to get the power back on!
(Aus) [Grant] (deciding to go with it) Very well... hurry up with it then.
(L) [Michael] *sobbing* I didn't mean to.. I didn't mean to do it...
(niknik) [?] - *distantly* The Mayor is in there... hurry up!
(niknik) [A few moments later - lights back on. Yep, it's starbucks, with several customers in it]
(jasonbeast) [William]: Huh.
(Aus) [Grant] Guess it reopened.
(jasonbeast) [William]: * ... snaps shut his zippo*
(L) ~Ambria~ ...how did we get here?
* L - Michael , still crying, gets up and tries to run out the door.
(niknik) [?(40 something man with a hard hat0] - Glad to see you're ok Mr.Mayor. One of the boys cut the wrong wire.
(niknik) [Mike, there is no big mansion in the middle of town anymore- just a rather nice park, and a playground]
(Aus) [Grant] (nods politely to the man)
* L - Michael runs into the playground and throws himself down into the middle of it and just lays down on the ground and cries.
(Aus) [Grant] Quite alright... is everything else alright?
(L) ~Ambria~ *shivers, being rather disturbed by all this*
(jasonbeast) [William]: ... uh ... Yeah, everythin's just peachy.
(niknik) [?] - Yessir. We apologize for all of this. *rushes off rather quickly*
(L) ~Ambria~ *w* Why are they calling Grant the mayor?
(niknik) [Well, everything seems the same- except that people seem to think Grant is the Mayor, and the big spooky mansion is gone]
(Aus) [Grant] (starts heading on outwards, and for home, looking thoughtful)
(niknik) [Little girl on swings- looks a lot like the girl scout] - You look sad.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *gently takes Eva by the hand* Come on ... we need to go.
(niknik) [Eva] ... what happened? *a little dazed*
(jasonbeast) [William]: That's why we need to go. *smiles*
(L) [Michael] Stop fucking with me, goddamn you! Damn this entire town! *sobs*
(niknik) [Eva] *follows*
* L - Ambria follows them out.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *following Grant*
(Aus) [Grant] (is apparently heading straight for his apartment -- though swinging by the playground first.) Mike.
(niknik) [Little Girl] - Hello Mr. Mayor. *smiles sweetly to Grant.* I think he feels sad.
* L - Michael is pretty much a mess right now, but does look up from where he's prostrate on the ground when Grant says his name.
(Aus) [Grant] We need to get moving.
(L) [Michael] Fuck you! You're not real!
* L - Michael throws a rock at the little girl.
(L) [Michael] None of this goddamn shit is....
(Aus) [Grant] (wryly) Mike, a philosophical question.
(Aus) [Grant] If you are in a cartoon, does that mean you should look down when you step off of a cliff?
* L - Ambria looks full-blown scared right now.
(niknik) [Little Girl] - *gets hit with a rock* Oww....*starts sniffling*
(L) [Michael] .... *feels kinda guilty* ...sorry.
(Aus) [Grant] Because right now, we're about a mile up. (looks vaguely annoyed, and resumes walking)
(niknik) [Little Girl] - *runs off to find her mother*
* L - Michael starts getting to his feet. Sorry.. I kinda lost it man. I'm sorry...
* L - Michael follows after Grant.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *q* Don't worry about it, Michael. Takes time to get used to it all, though ...
(niknik) [Everything seems the same- except for no creepy house in the middle of the town*
(Aus) [Grant] Mhmm... (heads on into the apartment, then, to turn off the stove before his chili boils over.)
(L) [Michael] I didn't mean to do it... I didn't mean to. I think it made me do it... I think it knew somehow... *rambling to himself as he heads on in*
(L) ~Ambria~ I'm.... really scared right now. What happened to Adalia? And her house?
(niknik) [Chili - is fine. Grant, do you remember this many books at your apartment?]
(Aus) [Grant] (Not really, no.) Well, from the ominous foreshadowing,
(Aus) [Grant] and my diverse experience on the subject from television, I'm guessing that we're in an alternate world.
(niknik) [Well... it seems that you now have a large occult library]
(Aus) [Grant] (dryly) On the plus side, it looks like someone gave you a good set of books to read, Mike.
(L) [Michael] I'm sorry.
(L) [Michael] I didn't mean to.
* L - Michael sits down heavily onto the couch.
(Aus) [Grant] Uh, Mike, it's a town that screws up everything. I wouldn't take it personally.
(Aus) [Grant] ... Hmm. If I'm the mayor here... (decides to look around some more)
(jasonbeast) [William]: *nods, starts browsing through the books*
(niknik) [Grant- your stuff is a little nicer- and ring-ring- telephone]
(Aus) [Grant] (answers the phone?
(Aus) [Grant] Hello?
(niknik) [?] Mr Mayor- this is Carl Kaufmann.. we need to know what you are going to do about the situation earlier today.
* L - Ambria doesn't know what to do, so she just sits on the couch and pats Mike's shoulder.
(niknik) [Carl] - Are you calling a meeting?
(niknik) [Mike, Ambria- theres a book on the couch- the little one on history that never finished getting translated]
(Aus) [Grant] Sorry, Carl, it must've slipped my mind -- I'm dealing with this kid that lost his temper and started throwing rocks at people. Terrible shame. He's deeply troubled, you know.
* L - Michael picks up the book, opens it
(niknik) [Carl] - ..throwing rocks at people? Did you want us to take care of that? Who is the kid?
(L) [Michael] ...it's changed.
(L) [Chandra] *without looking in the book* There's five demons instead of six.
(L) (Eep, sorry, bad fingers)
(L) [Michael] They need to be killed.
(Aus) [Grant] I'm handling it personally, Carl, but between that and the power outage... well. Busy day.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Thought maybe.
* L - Michael hands the book to William
(jasonbeast) [William]: *settles, starts going through it*
(niknik) [Carl] - We'll talk later.. let me know if we need to take care of the kid. *click*
(Aus) [Grant] (chuckle) Well, the town's as cheerful as ever.
(L) ~Ambria~ So...you're the mayor now... and Adalia's gone... *frowns*
(jasonbeast) [William]: Well, looks like we've got our work cut out for us.
(L) ~Ambria~ ... are we next?
(Aus) [Grant] Quite possibly.
(Aus) [Grant] (chuckles a bit) So. Anyone have any ideas?
(L) [Michael] Five.
(niknik) [Eva] What happened to her house?
(jasonbeast) [William]: There are five demons left. They have no leader. We take them out ... and we end the spell.
(Aus) [Grant] It vanished. The Krause prosperity ceased to be.
(L) [Michael] We only have three.
(L) ~Ambria~ ...there's five of us.
(L) [Michael] *shakes his head* Three decendants.
(Aus) [Grant] Heh, yes, but I'm not actually related, nor do I have any interest in being obliterated for the greater good.
(L) [Michael] Need five.
(niknik) [Eva] I don't want to disappear. *frowns*
(jasonbeast) [William]: Well, we have two families from which to attempt to recruit. And we should probably talk to women, rather than guys ...
(jasonbeast) [William]: ... silly misogynistic relisious practices.
(jasonbeast) *religious
(niknik) [Eva] mistlewhat?
(jasonbeast) [William]: Misogynistic ... means hateful towards women.
(Aus) [Grant] If that's the only thing that bothers you about this town...
(jasonbeast) [William]: Ain't even the tip of the damned iceberg.
(L) [Michael] Gotta stay together.
(L) [Michael] Make sure no one else goes. Gotta be careful what we cast. Very careful.
(Aus) [Grant] (turns on the news, to see if he can get a clue what the hell he's supposed to be making a decision on.)
(jasonbeast) [William]: ... agreed.
(L) ~Ambria~ .. I dont' want to go home, but... *frowns* My cat.
(L) ~Ambria~ ... my cat didn't get sucked into a demonic dimension or something when all this changed, did he? *looks to Michael, since he seems to have clues*
(niknik) [News - Concerned Citizens want to close the local pub, the Kneipe. The mayor has yet to comment on this. ]
(Aus) [Grant] (chuckle) No Kneipels for this town.
(Aus) [Grant] (does it say -why-? Or just that one liner?)
(niknik) [News - does not say why, but moves on to a story about the Kaufmanns and community service]
(Aus) [Grant] Well, that was entirely uninformative. Anyone mind doing some work for the 'Mayor'?
(L) ~Ambria~ I like the pub. I don't think it should close... um... unless its evil here.
(L) ~Ambria~ I can help...
(Aus) [Grant] Heh, that's the thing. Is there a reason?
(L) ~Ambria~ Though, my cat...
(Aus) [Grant] God knows everything else in this town is screwed.
(L) [Michael] *doesn't answer whether the cat is evil or okay or what. It's a cat. He's got bigger things to think about*
* L - Ambria is however, a cat person- so yes, is concerned for Mr. Mittens safety.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Well. It didn't FEEL evil.
(Aus) [Grant] (dryly) My chili is fine. Therefore, so is your cat.
(Aus) [Grant] Yeah, but the Starbucks was also closed an hour ago.
(Aus) [Grant] But if I go, people will show up expecting me to be there to close it.
(L) [Michael] Maybe we should go see the Kniepe? And on the way back, we could pick up the cat.
(Aus) [Grant] Which I'd rather not do. So I can't go.
(L) [Michael] *frowns* We should stick together.
(niknik) [Eva] ..How did you become mayor?
(Aus) [Grant] (shrugs) Comic relief?
(L) ~Ambria~ ...okay, that was weird.. I just had a cat vision.
(L) ~Ambria~ He's sleeping, having just gotten into the catfood bag like he likes to.
(L) [Michael] How did he do the book thing that day? There's something special about Grant.
(Aus) [Grant] ... thanks.
(niknik) [Eva] Maybe we'll all wake up and this is a dream
(jasonbeast) [William]: Doubt that. But it would be nice.
* L - Michael fidgets a bit
(Aus) [Grant] (chuckles, shakes his head, and looks around to check on his laptop, notebooks, etc.)
(jasonbeast) [William]: *blinks rapidly a couple of times* ... under a trunk filled with old love letters.
(Aus) [Grant] Hm?
(L) [Michael] ...?
(niknik) [They all seem to be the same.. except for notes from city council meetings that you don't remember going to]
(jasonbeast) [William]: Oh ... the paperwork from the '55 group's progress in figurin' things out. Up in my attic. Guess I should go retrieve that ... soon.
(jasonbeast) [William]: See what they knew that we don't yet.
(L) [Michael] Apples.
(L) [Michael] At the pub
(Aus) [Grant] (checks the notes over, amused... are his old case notes from New Orleans still in there?)
(niknik) [Yep. he hasn't been mayor for very long]
(L) [Michael] We should eat the chili, then go to the pub.. and um.. then to Williams for the notes, maybe?
(jasonbeast) [William]: *frowns* Apples?
(L) [Michael] Ya.
(Aus) [Grant] Hm.
(Aus) [Grant] (chuckle) Well, at least I know where the new tunnel is... right where the old tunnel came out. In City Hall.
* L - Michael nods. Makes sense.
(niknik) [Eva] ... Ambria- does the library have a basement?
(L) ~Ambria~ Yes, it does.
(niknik) [Eva] I think there are weapons down there, in a door behind the newspaper archives.
(L) ~Ambria~ ...how do you know? How did I know about my cat?
(jasonbeast) [William]: ... or me, about the notes. I think maybe Adalia managed to leave us a little parting gift.
(Aus) [Grant] (wryly) Either that, or our counterparts in this universe are just smarter than we are.
(L) [Michael] *frets again* Poor Adalia.. do you think she's dead?
(Aus) [Grant] I think we won't find out until we figure out the mystery.
(niknik) [Eva] I hope she's not. *frowns*
(Aus) [Grant] So. Who wants chili?
(jasonbeast) [William]: Sounds good to me.
(L) ~Ambria~ I'll try a bowl
(L) [Michael] Not hungry
(niknik) [Eva] ..me either
(Aus) [Grant] (moves to serve up chili)
* L - Michael kinda reaches out to hug Eva.
(niknik) [Eva] *is rather mopey, and sniffles a little, but does give a half hearted hug*