Kate blinked in surprise at the newcomers. They fit in well with their surroundings, like characters from history. She realized that she probably looked as ridiculous to them as they did to her. The fair haired Priest seemed almost offended at her presence and his words would have been comical to her had the situation been different. She'd known a priest or two who had taken himself too seriously. They were a serious drain on her patience. She couldn't help but chuckle at his mention of confessions and wondered how that would work since her sins had been committed in the future. Did that mean she hadn't sinned yet? Did she even exist? Did people know she was missing? Suddenly her head began to ache with all the possibilities.

Time travel was tricky and difficult to understand. That's why she hadn't bothered to read up on it much. Her knowledge was limited to the movie trilogy Back to the Future and a few Star Trek episodes.

"No confessions needed at this time Father," she said as calmly as she could manage.

She was about to say more when a well dressed woman wearing what Kate considered a fancy costume but was probably everyday clothes spoke up. What proceeded was an interesting analysis of where Kate might have come from and why she was dressed as she was. It was surprisingly detailed. Kate was even more surprised when the blonde woman stepped forward and reached for the collar of her flannel shirt. In an attempt apparently to button it. The woman was a bit taller than she with strawberry blonde hair and her lack of personal boundaries was alarming. Kate stepped back uncomfortably.

"Okay, so obviously I look as strange to you as you do to me..." she wrapped her flannel shirt around herself getting the feeling they preferred she cover the t-shirt.

"My name is Kate, and I really don't belong here. Obviously...I don't...belong," she eyed the others in the room. I am a Hunter where I come from but I get the feeling we do things a little different than you. I don't know exactly how I ended up here or why. There was a symbol, and I got sucked into a wall." She finished lamely. It sounded stupid even to her.

Penny stepped back, fearing she had caused offence, and murmured softly in her English accent 'Forgive me, I meant to help, one woman to another. I felt you might have forgotten your attire, or been... roughly treated.' She shyly indicated Kate's opened shirt versus her own buttoned-up frilly dress. She would have liked to have examine the flexible painted design on Kate's chemise or whatever the article of clothing was, but not in the company of men. She took back her umbrella from the tall man. 'I am Penny.' she introduced, leaving out the 'Dreadful' for now.

Standing so close to Kate, Penny got a better look at the rectangular object in her hand. It wasn't a make-up compact or a cigarette case. A glass front covered a perfectly painted image, of boxes, designs, and an image of some symbol, likely the one Kate referred to. And then the painting moved. Magic! Penny stepped back in surprise, lest she be sucked in too. '...Where did you come from?' she asked slowly, stunned, finding all she knew and expected evaporating like mist.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Sun 27 Oct 2013.

Stefan stood there going over the information in his head on Baal, as well as listening to the conversations. He was intrigued when the conversations turned to creation, but held his tongue. He did not think this was the best time for such a conversation, for there were other more pressing things.

Stefan turned to Mr. Westbrook. "I vill be staying at my 'otel room as vell. I dhink it vould be best if ve did not all leave at vunce."

Stefan noticed the exchange between Father Cole and the hunter with curiosity as well as a bit of humor. They were worried that the traitor would know and move against them already, but that would not be the case. Information was the purpose of such a person at this point.

Stefan stood leaning on his cane as a very strangely dressed woman was seen. He was both amazed and shocked by the clothing as well as the instruments she carried. He then noticed the strained look on her face and became concerned. He limped slowly towards her. "Are you alright miss? Could ve get a chair an some vater for 'er please. I dink it best if she sat down. I am Doktor Stefan Von Stein. If you do not mind I vould like ta check your vitals." He held a hand out to her.

Simon smirked as Penny began to talk...and talk...and talk. He leaned into Jacob and whispered,

More aloud to the group, "Proverbs 5: 3&4 states 'For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.' And 31: 30 'Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.' I leave it to all of you to decide how to use these words." Though clearly they are meant for the women in the room. This is said gently, as he had gently chastised earlier. He has found his calm again.

He allowed his cloak to cover his weapon again. "By the by Ms. Kate? We all here are Hunters. Where you come from may be relevant to our current happenstance and then again it might not. Prey tell us more. And do try to keep yourself covered in a more seemly manner."

He heeds the Doctor's instructions, retrieving a chair first, and setting it within arms reach of Kate and Penny and then a glass of water. He hands the glass to the Doctor, trusting him to use it properly. Simon does have some training in medicine, but would never get in the way of the doctor. In turn he introduces himself, "I am Father Simon Cole, of the Jesuit Order. I am one of the Vatican's exorcists."

The handsome Scotsman arches an eyebrow at Father Simon's words. Doesn't the good book say something about judge not lest ye be judged, and let he who is without sin cast the first stone? It's been awhile since I've been to sunday school, but I'm pretty sure we should leave the woman be. He says gently. Also, some of my closest friends are whor-uh....less than your usual gentlewomen, and they are simply lovely people. His grin widens. 'Sides. I know an immoral woman when I see one. I have the knack for these types of things. This miss strikes me as better than that. After all, it's not the most seductive attire now is it? No offense miss, I'm sure where you're from it's quite lovely. He gives her a wink.

Kate smiled cautiously at Penny. The woman was strange but seemed kind and genuinely meant well. Penny didn't miss a thing and she seemed to take an interest in the phone. Kate watched her reaction and after the woman stepped back in surprise she tucked the phone back into her pocket.

A man that she had overlooked limped forward carrying a cane. His face was concerned and he spoke with a heavy accent. Kate had to concentrate a little to understand what he said. He called for a chair and water and informed her politely that he was a doctor and wanted to check her vitals. It was the nicest introduction she'd had yet. He hadn't asked where she'd come from, why she was there, or tried to mess with her clothing. She decided she liked him instantly. She took the offered hand.

The Father's words brought a flush of anger to her cheeks and Dr. Von Stein probably noticed her grip tighten before she dropped his hand and clenched her fists. "Listen here Father Simon," She ignored the chair he set near her. "I would figure someone like you would have enough sense to keep his opinions and scriptures to himself. You don't know anything about me and I would think a man in the service of the Lord would give a woman the benefit of the doubt." Father Simon was lucky he'd given the water to Dr. Von Stein. Had he given it to Kate himself she would have tossed it back in his face. The Scotsman's words in her defense did little to sooth her anger.

"It's not a matter of where I came from but when," she paused drawing in a shaky breath. Really there was no eloquent way to say it. "Believe me or not I'm from the year 2013.".

Stefan gave the good father a stern look, then Mr. Shaw, as he felt the woman grip his hand tight. He felt the pulse of the woman racing. "Fadher Cole, I vould like if you vould please stop antagonizing my patient." He then looked at the woman. "Ve vill talk bout vhat time you come from, vhen I see you 'ave calmed some. You 'ave been dhru a lot, so please calm yourself." He reached into his satchel and took out a small vial. "Vould you give me your glass a vater please. Dhis vill 'elp calm you." He held out his hand.

As Doctor von Stein took charge and called for a chair and water for Kate, Penny tried to help, gently guiding her to the chair and putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. But the detective's movements were awkward and uncertain, unlike her earlier assured observation and confident argument. She could analyse a person like one would an insect, but was less sure of dealing with them in a softer manner.

But that uncertainly fled as Father Cole quoted some of the more misogynist proverbs he could think of, turning an angry glare on him. Her time with the suffragists and, indeed, in her own profession had made all too familiar with such views. She was pleased to hear Kate speak in her own defence; there was courage and strength in her, no demureness. Penny knew she liked her, thinking her a fellow suffragist.

'And have you no decency, sir?' Penny hissed at last to Cole. 'Your insinuations are quite unkind, and I would expect better of a man of the cloth. Look, do you not see she wears an engagement ring? See the shock in her eyes? And the buttons of her shirt have been forced.' She turned, quickly gesturing down Kate's shirt.  'Clearly, she has been rudely handled — perhaps by a Spring-Heeled Jack.' The Spring-Heeled Jack, or Jumping Jack, was an obscure British monster with a habit of molesting and terrorising women. Like too many men, really. Penny had defeated one herself, though it had been a humiliating experience. 'I believe you owe Miss Kate an apology, reverend.'

Then Kate said she came from the year 2013. 'The Year of our Lord?' she asked for clarification, aware that other cultures had different calendars. Clearly, it was so. She looked Kate up and down, again noting the strange chemistry of her chemise and compact, the men's clothes tailored for a woman, and the sundry other inexplicable details that marked her as not of this time. 'I believe you.' Penny said quietly.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:54, Mon 28 Oct 2013.

Simon felt humbled, as he should have. "Well it appears you've traveled 123 years into the past in part to teach me a lesson in humility. I should remember to take the plank from my own eye before trying to get the spec from yours."

He looked at her hand and saw a rather large diamond ring. "By all the Saint's madam, is your betrothed a Duke or an Earl?"

Wikki:

However, diamond engagement rings were for a long time seen as the domain of the nobility and aristocracy, and tradition often favoured simpler engagement bands. The idea of a diamond engagement ring being a fitting choice for everybody was created in the United States as recently as in the 1930s, and has been aggressively promoted since through the entertainment industry.

He stepped back crossing himself ad kissing his rosery, "Bless me Father, for I have sinned..."

Kate absentmindedly handed her glass back to the Doctor and sank down onto the empty chair, dropping her pack on the floor next to her. Honestly she had no intention of actually drinking the water after the vile had been emptied into it. The Doctor was kind and seemed genuine but his medicine was horribly outdated in her eyes and who knew what he was putting in her glass.

Kate quickly added Penny to the friendly side of the list that she was forming in her mind. The woman seemed ahead of her time and it made Kate feel more comfortable to have such an advanced thinker in the room. If she remembered her history there weren't many women like Penny around in the 1800's. "Yes 2013 AD," she clarified with a half smile. She was relieved that some people seemed to believe her.

"If it makes you feel better, I'm one of the more modestly dressed for my time," she added glancing toward Father Simon. He had made his apology and she accepted it, though he still wasn't on her good side. She laughed at the idea of Dalton, her fiance being a Duke or Earl. He was a law student and far from rich. The ring had been his mothers and Kate had no real sentimental attachment to it.

Kate was content to sit in her chair and let the others figure out what to do with the information they'd just been given. Though she began to wonder if they were going to let her go free anytime soon. No one had said she was a prisoner, but she doubted she'd be given the opportunity to just walk away.

Stefan looked at her and could see the look. "Da drink be chamomile tea. It vill just 'elp calm you. I am sure dhis all seems very barbaric. I vould love ta speak vith you bout many dhings, but ve vill 'ave time I 'ope."

Stefan motioned for her to drink it.

The black woman watches the exchange with thoughtful eyes. She too seems offended by Father Simon's generalizations about women, but calms down a bit when he apologizes. Overall you sense she is a bit defensive of her race, for she looks all of you in the eyes as if she were equal, and she looks ready to take on anyone who may mention the color of her skin. When people seem more interested in the time traveler though, she calms down a bit. If I may interject She steps forward towards the young woman. She showed me the symbol and I recognized it. She stops herself for a moment and turns toward her companion. Frederick, go make sure that no one is eavesdropping. She says quickly. Once satisfied she continues. It's a symbol from the Hand. Well, parts of it are. I'm still working on the rest. I'll need to make a sketch and study it. But from what I was able to see, it matches the symbol of Baal himself. I think that she is after the same cult we are, only in the future. Somehow I think she was brought back here because this is the time they are at their peak of activity. She looks excited by her conclusions as though pleased at putting it together. She frowns a moment later though and looks down. Well, it's only a theory. I suppose I could still be mistaken. She adds humbly.

Penny regarded the black woman — she really needed to learn more names around here — no different from anyone else: as a subject to be studied and analysed. She wore her fears and doubts openly, but Penny could tell by her interactions with the Men of Letters that she was well respected, trusted, and stood highly among them. Penny supposed she'd advanced and been accepted among them, whereas she would be prejudiced against by the outside world. Penny also did not miss the voudou symbol on her necklace. 'No, that seems an excellent theory. We shall need more data, of course, but let's call it a working hypothesis.' Penny attempted to reassure the Negress of her doubts.

'Though I do hope the Hand of Baal is not still active in five generations' time. Perhaps Kate found some relic of them, or...' Penny trailed off, unwilling to speak the possibility. Penny was taking all this as a quite novel puzzle, another problem to solve, and quite easily, really. She remembered an old adage of Holmes', which she'd adapted to the supernatural world: when you have eliminated the improbable, whatever remains, however impossible, must be the truth. She could easily accept the inevitable logic. But logic and deduction across time was a new field for her. She was familiar with the scientific romances of Twain and that new writer, Wells, and so knew of the concept of time travel. But they'd written of visits to the past, not the future. But then, Kate was the one visiting what was, to her, the past. Everyone in this room was long dead in her own time, Penny realised with a chill. Regardless, it was possible that actions in the present — the past — could affect that future. Could some force or someone have left that symbol for Kate to find? 'Miss Kate, where did you find this symbol? In a crypt or mausoleum, was it? But! Please don't mention the name of the owner. Write it down, or whisper it for...' She looked to the black woman. 'My apologies, I don't know your name. But I believe you may be the best judge of what to do with this information.' After all, whose name was on that crypt?
This message was last edited by the player at 00:44, Thu 31 Oct 2013.

Shrugging Kate took a small sip of the water, a little embarrassed that her facial expression was so easy for the doctor to read. "Thank you," she said politely.

The black woman spoke and she turned her attention to her theory. Kate had heard of Baal but had been early in her investigation and had not connected the symbol and Baal together. The symbol had been unlike any she had ever seen which was why she'd taken the picture of it.

It was a mausoleum in Connecticut. The place was old and in ruins. I found the symbol inside etched into the back wall down towards the ground. All I did was brush my fingers over it to clear some of the dirt and grime away. Reaching into her backpack she pulled out a pen and a notepad. She wrote down the names she'd noted and handed it to the woman as suggested. "There were a few people buried there, a family I think. This is the name that was over the entry."

Simon has gone to a semi-secluded area to speak with God. He will return near the end of the conversation.

The family names so far bear no meaning for anyone who glances at them, which is something of a relief. The black woman addresses the group. I am Victoria Greene. I imagine if John has anything to say about it, I will be working with you closely. She gives a welcoming nod. The use of Westbrook's christian name does not escape you. Subordinates do not address their superiors this way. She clearly knows him well. I think it would be best if you stay here for a while miss. She regards Kate. We may need to ask you some questions about what you know and perhaps your unique perspective could lend us assistance in our task. We can provide you with food, lodging and more uh...fitting attire while you are here. I will also see about trying to find a way to send you back. There are several possibilities springing to mind already. Still, I think your coming here was providence more than accident. If you are willing, we could use your help. She finishes imploringly.

In the meantime Westbrook is watching the situation with a frown. It appears he does not relish the idea of someone happening upon his secrets so suddenly, but Victoria gives him a look of reassurance and he seems to relax a bit. Very well, if it is alright with our time traveler, I suggest she join you all tomorrow in the search of our suspicious tailor. Maybe she will recognize something important. Can I trust you all to keep her out of trouble?

Simon rejoined the larger group in short order. He seemed much calmer, very serene. He caught the tail of the conversation, but decided not to intrude. He figured he had damaged whatever relationship he might have had with the time traveler enough. He did not want to damage it further.

When the discussion lulled her interjected, "I would like to suggest we all go and find a pub or an inn where we can share a drink and chat with each other. Does this seem like a good idea to everyone?"

Jacob walks over to Simon and nudges him with his elbow as the others are listening. " I never pretend to understand woman  Father , so I would not worry too much about this. I keep my head down and worry about trying to survive. Its not the things that go bump in the night you have to worry about Simon , its the ones that wear corsets you have to worry about." he says in a hushed tone and can't help but have a grin on his face.



Food and drink I can't argue with that point."

Simon gave Jacob a smile. "I wouldn't know." He says as he taps his collar. "I've never...my only experience with women is arm's length."

" I don't know if I pity you or envy you on that one man."

Penny's caution over the mausoleum's ownership proved unnecessary, but she did not think it unfounded. She was puzzling through the potential paradoxes that travel through time would cause, how it would affect motive and means. Holmes would love this. So, the symbol had not been left over Westbrook's future tomb, in order to bring Kate to their time to preserve the matter of her existence here and now. Instead, the mausoleum belonged to some unrelated family, possibly a third or as-yet-unrevealed party. 'Leaving aside a gap of 123 years, the question remains as to why a Baalist symbol in a Connecticut mausoleum is linked to a Men of Letters facility in New York. Perhaps the Hand of Baal seek, or sought, or will seek, a magical entrance into their enemy's base? Alternatively, some faction may believe we require Kate's assistance and future perspective — as Miss Green suggests, providence... Mister Westbrook, I recommend you have your people investigate this mausoleum, or the land it will be sited on, and this family. They may all bear watching.'

'I should be happy to assist Miss Kate while she is here. I am sure much has changed by her time, and I have many questions to ask myself.' Indeed she did. A future society that allowed women to wear pants was surely quite enlightened. Had they allowed women suffrage as well?

'That does seem a good idea, Father, if we are to be working together. However, it is rather late; it must be getting to eleven on the clock... Perhaps we could breakfast together, at a coffeehouse?'

The decidedly non-corset-wearing Penny noticed Anderson and Father Cole talking privately, but she didn't interject or eavesdrop. Instead, she approached Kate, a little shyly. 'Uh, Miss Kate, may we speak privately?'
This message was last edited by the player at 00:16, Fri 01 Nov 2013.

Kate nodded in agreement to Victoria's suggestion. It wasn't like she had any other place to go. Once things were settled she would seek out the nearest library to try and get some research done on getting back home. She wasn't looking forward to doing things the old fashioned way. "I'm willing to help," she said with a smile, "though I may not be very useful. Things are a lot different from what I'm used to.

When Penny suggested keeping an eye on the mausoleum Kate looked interested. Not that she expected to find the symbol there waiting. Someone would have found it long before she if it had been placed a hundred and twenty three years ago. <Lavender>I can give you the address...location of the mausoleum if that will help. It was old, at least a hundred years old. Might be brand new now."

She smiled with relief when Penny offered to assist her. The woman was different but she seemed to know what she was doing and it would be interesting to get to know her better. Kate doesn't comment on the idea of getting drinks or coffee as she is not sure if she is included in the invitation or even aloud to go.

When Penny approaches and asks for a word in private Kate scoots her chair back and stands motioning for the other woman to lead the way to a more private corner of the room.

Simon nodded, "I suppose the hour is late. I am amenable to breakfast if everyone else is as well. Doctor? Jacob? Ms. Kate?" Simon is making an effort to include Kate as well as his intuition tells him she is very much a part of all this. His intuition is rarely wrong.

Penny joined Kate in the corner, and somewhat hesitant before she spoke. 'Please forgive my forwardness and deception earlier, regarding your attire, and, ah, the suggestion you may have been assaulted. I felt it best to prompt some second thoughts all around... I fear the good reverend may be particularly conservative, even for a Catholic. But he may just have been in shock at the sight of a woman cross-dressing with her undergarments showing.' Penny offered a small smile in amusement. 'He may be surprised to see me dressed for combat.'

She mentioned the other thing she had on her mind. 'If you do not wish to stay in this facility, then I will gladly pay for a hotel room and appropriate clothing for you.'

Kate gave Father Simon a simple nod of agreement, glad that she had been included in the breakfast invite after all. Maybe the man wasn't so bad.

In the corner with Penny Kate laughed out loud at the woman's words, possibly drawing unwanted attention. Remembering where they were she whispered softly. "This is called a t-shirt. It's normal fashion in my time." she pulled at the hem of her Ghostbusters shirt which stuck out from the flannel she had buttoned for 'modesty' "If you think this is bad I'd hate to see what you thought of my actual underwear," She laughed more softly this time. "And there is no need to apologize. It's cool."

As to Penny's offer of a hotel room she glanced at Victoria and the man known as Westbrook. "I'm not so sure they will let me go..."