"Yeah something like that," Kate said in response to Penny's guess as to how her phone worked. She briefly wondered if she was screwing up the timeline by showing it to them.

"Mike is a suspected member of the Hand of Baal. I was doing a couple guys a favor by checking him out since I was already in the area. He was supposed to be meeting someone there but his was the only car I saw. Maybe his was meeting was with someone here?"

'If the Hand of Baal can travel through time with such ease, then they are much more powerful than previously suspected.' Penny stressed. 'And to keep one end of their portal in the Men of Letters' own secret base speaks of particular boldness, or a particularly close relationship with this organisation. Or, perhaps, an accidental placement. Still, we must be careful.'

She returned her attention to the phone. 'But how do you power it? A battery of electrochemical cells of some kind? It must be very small, and internal. Surely that would deplete soon... Ah, what's this, 35%? Ah!' she discovered, touching a finger to the surface and finding images moved at her direction. It was wondrous! Such marvels! Penny couldn't wait for the future to come, the sooner the better. Unfortunately, her fiddling disrupted Victoria's sketching. 'Miss Green, if your people can provide electrical equipment — copper wire, current and voltage controllers, soldering iron — I believe I can power this device long-term. Does this facility have access to electricity yet?' Penny asked, eager and excited to have the little project and play with the wondrous technology of the future.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:04, Mon 06 Jan 2014.

Father Simon: The boy does not stop but instead runs deeper into the corridors of the facility. He is fast and he looks frightened and angry at your interference. Ian sees you both and starts to follow,calling What's going on? The chase is intense, but you manage to catch up with him faster than you expected and grapple him easily by pulling him back by his coat. He is furious and resists wildly. Unhand me! What are you doing?! You have no right! He snarls.

ooc: To save time I rolled for ya ;P

Kate/Penny/John:

Victoria nods at Penny's question. Yes. We are completely wired for electricity and I'm certain we can provide you with anything you may need. She nods. Turning back to Kate she frowns. How extensive is the hand of baal in the future? Are they are large threat or do they have some plans we should know about? It would be good to know what we are up against. She admits. I fear that if they have agents working from your time they plan something quite large indeed. Penny, as you study the photograph further you do find the face disturbingly familiar. After a bit of scrutiny you are fairly sure you saw him in the hallways when you first arrived here, though you have not seen him since. As your conversation continues there is a knock at the door and a couple enters. One is a beautiful Indian woman with a bold face and a proud bearing. The next is a somewhat scruffy looking man who has a haunted look to him. The woman is a bit surprised by your presence but she recovers quickly. Oh. Forgive the interruption Tori. It takes you a moment to realize she means Victoria. I figured it best to introduce John here to the rest of the recruits. Also, we have had some...trouble I wanted to discuss with you. She trails off darkly.

Kimi:
Frederick looks pleased to have something else to discuss, clearly still feeling awkward for whatever reason. Well, I will need to make some protective hex bags for us for one thing. I may need a few components for some spells of my own should I need them. Most of them are already prepared so it won't take long. Tell me, how do you plan on approaching this? They may have servants home. What do you suggest if we run across them? They may be innocent of their master's dealings after all, so I wouldn't want to harm them needlessly. He frowns.

Simon tries to be reassuring, "Son, calm down, I mean you no harm. I thought you might have been a specter for a moment the way you were prying. How did you find this place?"

Father Simon:
He looks insulted. I belong here just as much as you! He snaps. More so even! I've been here for six months and you could be a spy for all I know. Why should I speak to you? Or him for that matter?! He nods to Ian, who looks surprised. Nicholas what has gotten into you? He demands. The boy glares in response. Clearly you've not heard the rumors against you. He says flatly. You are suspected of being a traitor you fool. If you do not unhand me I will make sure that my assault is added to your list of crimes!

Simon got the child's attention. "I see. You have my apologies sir. I had not seen or been introduced to you previously. I should add, my good sir, that we have proven those accusations false. Mr. Shaw is being set up. Now tell me, if you please sir, where may I find the detective Penny Dreadful?"

Kimi nodded as they walked. "Perhaps there is a gas? Something to sleep them?" She suggested.

Stefan looked at Westbrook for a long moment,then finally spoke. He had a serious tone to his voice when he did. "I vould dhink dhat da Men a Letters vould know vhat 'appened to 'im. Is it not dhere job ta know such dhings? I vill indulge you, dhough. You ask vhat 'appen to 'im. Dhat is somedhing everyone knows. Da Jigsa man got 'im. It is what I called 'is creation."

Stefan was quiet for a moment, then went on, but there was a bit of sympathy in his voice as he spoke. "Da Jigsa man vas 'unting 'im you see. 'e vas not bad, but misunderstood. Dhere vas more dhere in 'im, but not all could see it. I could feel it like one feels for a brother, but not totally. It vas like a connection a sorts, but not. Do you understand vhat I mean?"

Stefan took a breath gathering himself and went on. "I vas gone vhen dhis took place. Mudher 'ad spirited me avay from 'im, so I only know vhat I vas told a 'is passing. I vas not told vhat 'appened ta da Jigsa man dhough, so I can not be sure. Dhis is all a vhat I know. I am sorry if it is not vhat you vere hoping for."

'Kate, I believe with a little work I can supply power to this device, if you approve. A project for another day, though.' Penny said, picking up the phone and closely scrutinising it. She soon divined how to operate the touchscreen display and navigate the smartphone.

'If the Hand of Baal are willing to take such a great risk as to come back through time this way, then they must seek to reverse a defeat in this time, or ensure a victory.' Penny mentioned. She returned the phone to the picture of Mike Jones, examining the man. There was something naggingly familiar about him. The nose was slightly misaligned, suggesting a past break, and perhaps a violent lifestyle. She magnified the image until it was life-size, and seemed to be a collage of small squares, then raised the phone up to about 5 feet and 10 inches, angled it. She dimmed the display to mimic last night's lightning conditions. 'Ah! I do believe I have seen this fellow before. Last night, as we came into this facility, out in the hall. He could have through the time portal just before Kate did!' she exclaimed.

She was interrupted by the arrival of two more, a native woman and some scruffy American fellow. Despite the patriarchal name, Penny was pleased to see that the Men of Letters had a few women of letters and colour among their ranks, and in positions of influence and authority. Penny didn't say anything, waiting to be introduced by Miss Green as was custom.

"You can give it a shot," Kate said in response to Penny's offer to make a power supply. She was impressed with how quickly the woman learned to navigate the phone, clearly she was ahead of her time.

"In my time we don't know a whole lot about the hand of Baal. Seems they have kept a pretty low profile until recently. It started with just whispers and rumors among alphas and demons. I don't know any details but my friends led me to believe Baal has something big planned. That guy Mike was our only real connection. He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time." She chuckled at her unintended joke.

When the newcomers appear Kate motions for Penny to tuck the phone away. It was apparently a marvel and she didn't want to detract from the Native American's troubling news.

John followed the Native American woman into the room. John was dressed in an rough looking long coat with a jean and flannel shirt underneath. He wore a hat that tended to shadow his face, the lower half of which was covered by a rough beard. He tilted his hat to the women inside but stayed quiet, waiting for formal introductions as his thoughts kept drifting. Occasionally he would begin to raise his hand towards his chest as if he was going to finger something around his neck but stopped himself.

Father Simon:


The young man looks at you sharply as you speak. Innocent? How have you proven his innocence? He demands, ignoring your question. Ian is looking absolutely shocked. No one has yet told him of the accusations and he looks flabbergasted. Nicholas though, is glaring at him balefully. I know what I saw! He snarls.

Kimi: Frederick frowns at the suggestion. A good idea, but unfortunately I don't have a way to distribute it. If we can get close enough perhaps we can use ether? Well, I guess there's nothing for it. We'll just have to take our chances. He sighs. Pausing a moment, he looks at you uncertainly. I heard about the bodies and everything. What do you think? I know there's a traitor amongst us somewhere, but does Westbrook have any leads at all? Has anyone looked into Nicholas's story about Ian?

Stefan: Westbrook listens quietly, nodding as you finish. No, it is about what I expected. Unfortunately, it would seem your father's work is not finished. I have reason to believe that his creation has been smuggled to the United States. And what's more....there has been rumors that your father is with him. I don't know if this is true or how it would even be possible, but in our line of work, it is best to not discount the impossible right away. He finishes darkly, watching you closely for your reaction.

Penny/John/Kate: ooc: Don't worry folks. Most of the time you will have threads separated by groups. I'm just finishing the meet and greets and then we'll have easier threads to follow. Thanks!

Victoria looks at Penny in surprise at her revelation of having seen the man. Before she can comment on it though, the Native woman enters. She gives a slight start at the woman's last words but nods. She gives quick introductions. The native woman is Lily and the man is John Grant. He is a new recruit, like yourselves. He was a bit late when he joined us so he didn't get to join your initial orientation. She explains. I am planning on putting him on the docks tonight along with Mr. Stein and hopefully another recent recruit. She informs you all. I thought it best that you get to know all of your comrades as I will be intermixing you into teams from time to time and I want you to know your allies. Obviously there is at least one traitor amongst us, if not more. You are all the inner circle so to speak, and for the moment anyway you are just about the only ones I can trust. She sighs. She turns suddenly to John and gives him a long stare as though scrutinizing something. After a moment her face turns surprised. Oh John. I am so sorry! I don't know why you saw her, but I will help you sort it out if I can. She says sympathetically. Clearly the woman possesses some kind of telepathic ability, but it is a bit surprising, especially for John.

As Victoria puts a gentle hand on the man's shoulder, Lily steps forward and shakes Penny and Kate's hands vigorously. You can already tell the woman is bold, strong willed, and unafraid. It is simply wonderful to have more women on board. She tells you earnestly. If anyone here gives you any trouble for being a woman just let me know and I'll thump them for you. She adds firmly. You have a feeling she means it too.

Simon made sure he had eye contact with the young man when he spoke. "We found some bodies buried in the walls with hex bags earlier. I went with Mr. Shaw to look into those bodies and their disappearances. We have connected the disappearances to a witches' coven, operating in this city among upper middle class women. For me this is all the proof I need to show me what I knew in my heart to be true, that Mr. Shaw is innocent of the charges against him.

Now listen, you say you know what you saw, but do you really? The eye can be fooled, there are men and women who make very good livings out of it. Nicholas, Ian is innocent, I assure you."

Kimi was not about to discuss anything with anyone other then Westbrook.  "I am not knowing Master Fredrick, but what about balloons?  Could we not use them for throwing the gases within the house?"  Kimi entered into the Lab that she and Fredrick had been in moments ago.

Stefan looked very shocked at the news he was just getting. "Dhis can not be true. I vas told he vas killed. 'ow do you know such dhings? Vho vould so dhis? Vhy vould dhey do dhis? Jigsa vill not be controlled. 'e is not a mindless golem ta be controlled. I need ta know all dhis." There was a bit of urgency in his voice with these last words.

Wondering if the phone played any music, Penny put the device in sleep-mode and tucked it away out of sight. 'Good day, sir. I am Penny Dreadful, a detective.' she said to Grant. She unhappy to hear that Green intended to mix and rearrange their teams on a regular basis. It would be difficult to build a proper working relationship, to able to trust and rely on one another as hunters, if they were shifted around too often. But this was a large organisation, not Penny's one-woman business, and if they had the skills and temperament for a task, then they should be appropriately allocated. And the Men of Letters were compromised. "Needs must when the devil drives" she thought, finding the old saying terribly fitting in the circumstances.

As Green consoled Grant over some grief — and apparently divined it by sight alone — Penny spoke to Lily. "Thump them"? 'Thank you, but I would be sure to give them an earful first... When I first heard of the Men of Letters, I expected to be the only lady here. At this point, I do believe they should change their name. It is indeed a pleasant surprise to find we are more than secretaries, typists, and tea-ladies.'


OOC: What did Victoria do? Sense Motive 17.
17:08, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 17 using 1d20+7. sense motive.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:47, Sat 11 Jan 2014.

Father Simon:
Nicholas listens, though his face is still doubtful and angry. Perhaps Father. Perhaps. The eye can be fooled, but I am not going to jump to any conclusions of his innocence until I have proof for myself! There's too many rumors going around, too many disappearances. It would have to be someone high up in the chain of command to pull all of this off. Ian fits. He accuses bluntly, and the Scotsman listens with a hard face. You're smart Nicholas, not to trust without proof. You'll live longer that way. However, I have only just heard of these accusations from you. If I can prove my innocence to you I will, but for now you'll just have to wait until I get to the bottom of this. He sighs. Nicholas gives him a long look and nods slowly, leaving if he is allowed to do so. He turns to you. Thank you Father. I may need your help defending myself if he spreads such ideas. Clearly someone is trying to undermine the hierarchy here.

Kimi: Frederick gives a smile at your evasiveness but shakes his head at suggestions of balloons. Too complicated at this point, and too difficult to control. I think our best course at this point is to try to find some way of making the residents leave, if they are even there that is. Or perhaps we can drug them? If we have a reason to be admitted perhaps we can dose their tea?

Stefan:
Westbrook listens to your questions with a sympathetic expression. Easy man, easy. I do not know how true any of this actually is, though my sources have never failed me before. They were spotted in Boston by some informants in another chapter. The creature is unmistakable, but perhaps the man with him was someone else. He fit your father's description perfectly though. The informant even identified him via photograph. That does not mean it isn't some kind of a trick. A shifter perhaps? He muses. Still, I cannot ignore the possibility that he lives, no matter how faint. I thought if he had somehow survived that perhaps you would know of it. At the very least you know how he thinks, the details of his work. Do you have any idea why he would be in the states?

Simon gives a slight bow. "I have no problems helping you. I do not lie, and I see an innocent man before me. Which begs the question, why? Is this a personal attack on you or a general attack on the group as a whole. Perhaps we should find the others and compare notes now?"

He gestures for Ian to lead the way.

Penny: ooc: As far as you can tell there is no way she should have been able to react the way she did without some kind of special ability. There appears to be more to Miss Greene than meets the eye....

Lily makes a face at mention of changing the name. Unfortunately that would be premature. Most chapters of the Men are as backward and prejudiced as the rest of the world. Westbrook founded this one, and he is considerably more progressive than anyone I've ever met. It has paid off too. This chapter is by far the largest and the most accomplished of all of the organizations. Does that make the others decide to open their eyes though? Of course not. She scoffs. The idea of a black woman as second in command has caused Westbrook a lot of prosecution from the others. Not to mention the fact that he has employed the help of so many hunters in comparison to the other chapters. They see hunters as base, crude, and a means to an end. Westbrook actually involves us in the process, gives us better weapons, helps us prepare for the things that we face. He truly is a wonderful man. And I hate just about every man so that's a lot coming from me. She laughs.

John looks with surprise as the woman somehow knew what happened. When she laid a hand on his shoulder he looked down and shuddered before he pulled away. "Please don't touch me." He said in a southern drawl before he looked to the other woman as she introduced herself. "Pleasure to meet you miss, Ah was a lawman mahself before..."

Kimi looks at Fredrick with a cocked eyebrow.  She says nothing.  "Most noble man, are there other inventions that may yet aid us?"  She casts a look around the room.

Kate was sure she would like Lily. It was a real eye opener to be reminded of how women were expected to act and she was thankful she'd managed to land among ladies who were so ahead of their time. The exchange between the man John Grant and Victoria did not go unnoticed. Kate had experienced a little of Victoria's...talent when they'd first met in the hall. She made a mental note to ask the woman about it later.

"I'm Kate Piper," she introduced herself with a smile. "Nice to meet a kindred spirit," she added shaking Lily's hand.

Stefan looked at him taking a few breath to calm himself, but he was still shaken. "Da Jigsa man vould not villingly be vith my fadher. 'e vishes 'im dead. I vas told 'e vas dead an da Jigsa man vas missing. I vish ta speak vith dis person, dis informant. Dhere vas no vay Jigsa man vould be vith my fadher. He vishes 'im dead I tell ya. Ya know vhat da Jigsa man is an vhy 'e vishes my fadher dead. 'e turned 'im into a beast... a monster dat does not know vhat 'e is. 'e is misunderstood an confused. A beast made a many pieces an none a 'is own. Dis must be 'ard on vuns mind, vhich is vhy Jigsa man is as 'e is an vhy he vishes my fadher dead."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Sat 11 Jan 2014.

Penny listened to Lily talk about the Men of Letters, but she had an eye on the exchange between Green and Grant. It was indeed remarkable for a Negress to rise so highly in such an organisation in America, even such a progressive one as Westbrook commanded — but perhaps not so unlikely for one of Victoria Green's obvious powers. And they were quite remarkable. Penny had encountered mesmerists, telepaths, and other claimed psychics, but had often found them to be fraudulent or masking some more magical power. Still, she'd learned to keep an open mind. Perhaps too open, if Green could read it...

Hastily changing topic, she returned her attention to Grant. A "lawman", not detective or police, which suggested one of the American frontier law enforcers. His accent came from the American south, unless she missed her guess. His weathered appearance was indicative of a great deal of outdoors work. 'You were a ranger of some kind, I take it? A pleasure, then.' Truth be told, her scrutiny was merely something to keep her thoughts occupied. 'I understand you found the body in the wall last night, with Miss Noriko? What were your first impressions, as a "lawman"?'