Ian listens with the slightest of glances in the brothers' direction. At your last words he gives a wicked grin, finishes his drink, and then stands up, his face instantly darkening, though you know it's just for show. He then strides across the car and sits down next to one of the brothers, who look startled at his sudden action. He speaks low, but not so low you can't hear him.

Hey. You wanna tell me why you keep ogling my wife? I see you lookin over at her. You're right to appreciate her, but what kind of husband would I be if I didn't thump your faces in for it? He starts to roll up his sleeves. You wanna take this somewhere or should I school you right here in front of everyone?

The brothers look petrified, both gaping and babbling in a panic, saying, no of course they weren't ogling his wife, and they wouldn't dream of upsetting so fine a man, and other such placating talk. You can see a hint of a twinkle in Ian's eyes but he keeps his face intimidating. Then what were you doin? We're trying to eat in peace, not be stared at by two slack jawed idiots. And don't lie to me. I'll know and I'll smack your faces in for your trouble.
No sir! We wouldn't lie! We were just wondering about the ghost! Surely you've heard of it? It's been keeping us up at night! stammers one brother. Ian arches a brow and turns to you with a gesture to join them. Well darlin, they claim they're starin on account of the ghost everyone is tellin tales on. You believe em or shall I knock their teeth in for ya? His Scottish accent tends to get thicker when he's jovial and you can tell he's happier at the moment then he's been since that night in the tepee. This distraction is obviously just what he needs.

Ian played the ruse much more aggressively than Penny had intended, but nevertheless it worked perfectly. In spite of herself and her fierce suffragist independence, she couldn't help but smile at Ian's show of protection, like a knight defending a lady's honour. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing. She was also glad to see Ian so happy and carefree again, like his former self.

Playing her part, she stared suspiciously at the two brothers for a long moment, saying 'What happened to Mrs Turning should be considered a simple accident.' Then she decided to let them off the hook. 'But I do love a ghost story. Let's hear if this one is any good first.' she said, rising and coming over.

The brothers look surprised at your sudden interest, and then their eyes dart back to the table as though afraid speaking of the dead woman would bring them harm. A-Alright. I don't know much. Just some woman choked and died there years back he gestures with a nod, eyes constantly flicking back to the bar as though worried Jaffers is going to come back. There are others who could tell you more of it, it was before our time. But...we were headed back one night after a long night tossin coal and we saw somethin..strange. This car is supposed to be empty after hours but we saw a...woman. She was sittin at this table, neat and pretty, looking over a menu as though she expected to be served! he shakes his head at the memory and his brother nods in eager confirmation. We went to go tell her the car was closed but when we did she just turned and gave us this look. It was so...angry! Then, she just disappeared, vanished right there! I'm not making it up! he adds quickly. Now, at night sometimes, I swear I see her leanin over me...You do too don't ya Jim?! he gestures to his brother who again nods, face pale at the memory. We're not the only ones! I've heard lots of folk have seen her. Jaffers is the one to ask about it, he actually knew her they say. Of course none of us can get him to speak on it so I don't know...Maybe sic your husband here on him, see what happens Jim gestures at Ian carefully; eager to point the Scot at someone else.

'But we're not done with you two yet...' Penny tried not to let her disappointment show on her face; the brothers might take it as a sign that Ian would decide to hit them. Apart from a report of a visible manifestation to add to the case file, she didn't know any more than she'd learned from Mrs Turning's experience. Well, she could corroborate it, at least: the ghost was indeed the angry, jealous Abigail that Mrs Turning had spoken so feverishly of.

Ah, but she was approaching this as a hunter. As a detective, however, she had not one, but two eyewitnesses who could provide her with a useful description. 'Please, describe her for me, leave nothing out.' As she heard their descriptions, first one, then the other, she asked incisive questions to draw out more information and double-check the facts, while being careful not to suggest clues that would slip memories in their heads, nor lurid details of ectoplasm or the like.


OOC: Using the Investigator's Profile ability to gain a complete mental picture of the ghost: physical description, markings, mannerisms. Success!
19:32, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 27 using 1d20+9. gather information. (DC 15)

From what they describe, you gather she was a beautiful dark haired young woman of about twenty years of age, dressed in a pale blue lace blouse with a navy blue skirt and her hair loosely pinned up. She had very prim and proper mannerisms, good posture, that sort of thing, from what they can recall, but then that's hardly a surprise. They do mention in passing that when they came upon her she looked disappointed, as though she were expecting someone else, right before she became angry. The oddest thing one brother shakes his head.

Alice: You decide to stick around the sleeping car for the moment, since the Turnings had such a scare and as you wait for what seems an eternity, it appears they are done being accosted for the moment. Still, as you start to head back to your seat, you suddenly feel an unexpected chill...ooc: Roll a listen check please

Roll = 13

'Was she indeed?' Penny said in interest. She turned over the facts of the case. It was now clear Abigail was expecting to meet someone important. She'd been travelling to her wedding, according to Mrs Arkwright, so the most likely candidate was her husband-to-be. But then, she was... what? Stood up, most likely jilted. She was apparently in a jealous rage, so most likely she'd been jilted for another woman. An all-too-common and tragic story. Then she'd choked on her food and died, a rather banal end, not how the story ended.

'And you said you've seen her on other occasions?'

Penny: The brothers nod vigorously. Yes! I've seen her in my dreams sometimes, and once, after a particular nightmare, I jerked awake only to find her leaning over me! I've never been so terrified! he shakes at the memory. And I'm not the only one! Others have seen her too! Mostly men for some reason, but they've seen her alright.

Alice: You hear a faint, strangled gasp coming from Professor Delapore's car. Under other circumstances it would be easily ignored, but considering the temperature...

Should you go to investigate you can slide open his door in time to see him pinned against the wall, shaking in fear as a beautiful young woman, impossibly pale and ghastly looking, clutches him by the throat, squeezing hard.

Alice shouted, "Stop THAT!" and pulled a pistol on the pale young woman.

It was perhaps not so unusual for a man to dream of a young woman, it seemed, but Penny wagered this was rather more significant. Abigail was no doubt seeking the husband who had abandoned her as well. It was unusual, though not unheard of, for a ghost to attack through a dream, however. 'Oh? And what happened in these dreams, if I may ask? Did she say anything?'

Alice: She whips her head around at your words and screeches at you, gnashing her teeth, cloudy eyes wild. She's clearly not alive, and you realize this is the ghost that's been causing such a bother. Truth be told she's quite scary, though considering some of the other things you've faced you're able to steel yourself. The professor, meanwhile, looks ready to pass out, his face purpling for lack of air. She drops him and rushes at you...ooc: roll your attack.

Penny: She was in my bed with me of all things! In the dream I mean. She was holding me from behind, clutching so tight it was hard to breathe. She kept saying she was never going to let me go. he looks upset at the memory and his brother nods, indicating he too had the same experience. Most of the men have had dreams like this, but other times she's furious! Sometimes she'll strangle you in your dreams and when you wake up you feel like it was real! One fellow even had fingermarks!

'Oh my word!' Penny exclaimed in scandalised shock, remembering her role as a middle-class paranormal enthusiast rather that a hardened detective. It certainly seemed as if this Abigail was the jealous and vengeful type, in death and perhaps even in life. She got down to the most important part – finding out how to stop her. 'And the woman who died all those years ago – do you know if anything of hers was left behind on the train? An heirloom, her luggage, her ashes even? Is there a place on the train she's always sighted?'

20:13, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 29 using 1d20+10.  Tumble.

Alice had no idea if her gun would even work on a ghost, but she knew if she missed it would work on the professor. She decided on the better part of valor, tumbling backwards into the hall and then shouting, "Emma, you dumb witch, get off your backside and help me!" Then she took off at a run towards Penny and the help she could provide.

She's mostly seen not far from the dining car where she died, but she's been spotted all over. As for anything belonging to her, you've got me he shrugs helplessly. I don't know much about her but...hm...I do remember a locket! I don't know if it's still here or not, but every time we've seen her she's wearing it. I remember it dangling over me while she was leaning over my bed one night. A small, gold little thing.

Just then Alice bursts into the dining car, clearly having arrived at a run. The few patrons still dining look over in surprise at the interruption, curious and judging as only the wealthy can be.

ooc: Take it away Alice! :)

 She stopped dead as everyone was looking at her. Her eyes darted around the room, in panic, looking for...

When she made eye contact with Penny she didn't even need to say anything. It was chasing her, she was frightened, and she had come this way seeking help. She was rooted to the spot, unable to move, and whatever ability to speak had been robbed by the sudden attention.

She turned and looked behind her, almost hoping to see the ghost following so she wouldn't seem like a mad woman.

A locket? Hmm, yes, it usually was a locket: a valuable piece jewellery, often worn close to the heart, emblematic of a family connection and all the emotion that went with it, everything that could tie a ghost to the mortal world. And easily lost on a train, perhaps...

However, Penny was interrupted in her musings by Alice's explosive arrival. Penny rose from her seat in readiness, quickly discerning the reasons for her haste and shock. 'Well, thank you for a such a marvellous ghost story, gentleman. Ian shan't need to hit you after all. Please excuse us, it seems something's come up, maybe with Mrs Turning...' she said hurriedly to the brothers, departing the table and joining Alice.

'What happened? Did you try iron, salt?' she asked urgently in a low voice, walking past Alice back to the sleeping car.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:37, Thu 12 Apr 2018.

Alice shook her head, "No time. I saw it trying to kill the professor I've been flirting with. Next thing I know it is chasing me."

'She's probably jealous.' Penny concluded, adding primly 'Your behaviour may have helped draw her out.'
This message was last edited by the player at 11:18, Tue 10 Apr 2018.

As you both head back towards the sleeping car, you find the professor seated in his room, still looking completely shaken. Emma sits next to him, impatient but trying to comfort him at the same time. Are you sure you didn't do anything? I find it odd a dead woman would be so hell bent on strangling you. Oh calm down, she probably won't be back for a while. You can tell she's genuinely trying to help but she's obviously not well practiced at it for her last words startle him nearly to the point of sobbing. She looks at you both with relief. You're both better at this than I am. Do something won't you?

Alice nodded. She went over and sat beside him, putting her arm around him and holding him close. There was no need to say anything.

Penny rolled her eyes, but approached the shaken man, speaking with a measured, firm tone. 'Professor Delapore? I'm a detective, Penelope Dreadful. Please tell me everything that happened here, from the beginning. Leave out no detail, however small.' Not only would it give her an immediate, first-hand account of the ghost's attack, but it would also perhas allow the man to come out of his shock and begin to make sense of his experience. Perhaps he would rationalise it away, not a ghost but a murderous living woman, pursued by a detective? Penny asked numerous probing questions, to straighten out the story, while also closely scrutinising the cabin for clues. It was now a fresh crime-scene, the air still cold.


OOC: Continuing my use of the Profile ability in post #44. Investigate +17 auto-success against DC 15. I gain a +2 circumstance bonus on all future skill checks related to hunting this ghost.

Looking for clues, Search 24.

S-she said I would pay for what I'd done to h-her! he stammers, letting Alice stay at his side, to your surprise. He must have been shaken not to be alarmed by such proximity, as was his way. Then she just attacked me! Came right through my closed door! I-I've heard the rumors b-but...I swear I'm not crazy, she saw the whole thing! he gestures at Alice. You note his neck bears fingermarks, already bruising. Down the corridor you hear Mrs. Turning's niece approaching. Is everything alright? My grandmother kept going on and on about how she was here. Does...does she mean the dead woman?

Alice is at a loss. If the ghost was trying to protect her, why would it attack her. She is happy Penny was here to figure it out.

Thinking over the case and the ghost's modus operandi, Penny concluded that the Abigail was targeting men in general (well, not unreasonably, thought the suffragist), not merely philanderers, adulterers, and heart-breakers. Otherwise, she would target Ian, at least as he had been formerly, rather than the fearful Professor Delapore. Penny also had to discount the attack on poor Mrs Turning; the psychic had merely relived the choking, not been deliberately targeted.

Penny examined Delapore's neck, noting the bruises left by the fingers, surely female. If Abigail had merely died of choking on her food, why was she so set upon strangulation? Unless, perhaps, it was not the food that had choked her... She needed to speak to Jaffers again.

'No, you are not crazy, Professor Delapore,' she reminded him of his title and academic achievement, not the mark of a madman. 'What you had was a very frightening experience. But rest assured that we will catch the woman responsible and see that justice is done.' she said carefully, not quite lying, avoiding the word "ghost". Perhaps he would rationalise it away, perhaps he would come to accept the supernatural, but Penny thought it best that it be on his own terms. She wasn't here to shatter anyone's understanding of reality.

At least until Mrs Turning's niece arrived. 'Yes, I think so...' Penny answered, stepping out of the cabin to meet her, then realised this must mean the old woman was psychically active again, if not lucid. She quickly began walking toward the Turnings' cabin, bringing the niece with her. 'What else is she saying?'

You head to the woman's car, already hearing Mrs. Turning yourself at this point. She is staring off into the distance and saying over and over again, She'll come for him last. She'll come for him last. She'll come for him last. She'll come for him last. It's really quite disturbing and her poor niece gives the woman a shake, trying to get her to stop. The old woman blinks, as if finally noticing you all. She gives a smile at Ian of all people and with a tone as sure as discussing the weather says, You're in for it too deary. Ian blinks in surprise, but doesn't look too concerned. No doubt he's an old hand at ghosts but even so, it is chilling how matter of fact she sounds. She picks up her needlepoint then. How nice to see you all again. I hope the journey is treating everyone well?