Melba continues chanting, repeating word for word, hey the nerd kid can do that on autopilot.  But as she chants her eyes blaze with anger on Shannon's behalf, and an unspoken promise to sink the bitch who did this to her.

Luthien's request was answered with a sharp scratch across his cheek! Nothing grievous, but the small trickle of blood reminded him that Shannon was beyond reason. Pallid arms tugged at Clive, who fought agains the malevolent force in vain. Melba chanted, but her heart wasn't in the ritual. Her thoughts went instead to one entrusted with the students' safety, who may have failed her charges...

Okay, this was going to take a little more effort.

"Follow me home...Shannon"

A wounded child, lashing out. Well, taking wounds for such a cause was very worthy.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:49, Tue 22 Mar 2016.

Melba feels the issue and concentrates more fiercely, her anger coalescing into love for Shannon and a desire to help her get the rest she deserves.

As Buffy brushed her hair out of her face two arms reached out and grabbed Clive. She quickly springs into action and tries to pull him free of their grasp. "Hang on Mr. Whitlock! I'm gonna get you free!"

OOC:  Today: Buffy Summers rolled 16 using 1d10+6.  strength check.

In the Girls' bathroom, Clive yelled as he pulled in vain against Shannon! Despite all his strength, the vengeful apparition was stronger! However, one girl nearby, Chosen to fight supernatural evil, was stronger still. Buffy collected her wits, and dashed to Clive! Her slender arms encircled the Watcher, and she pulled!

Shannon screamed, but even her power failed against Slayer strength. Bracing her legs against the sink, Buffy hugged Clive, and kicked off! They tore free of Shannon's grasp, falling hard against the tile floor. "Thank you, Buffy," Clive gasped.

The fluorescent bulbs shattered overhead as Shannon shrieked her rage! The air stirred again, but suddenly stilled, The unnatural reflection paused, Shannon cocking her head to the side, as though distracted by something. Had Luthien's gentle whisper reached her?
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:56, Mon 28 Mar 2016.

Luthien concentrates...

Everyone with Luthien felt, more than heard, Shannon's pitiable moan. A small light pulsed softly near the Man In White. A chilly breeze blew among the small group. Then, she was there in their midst: a frail girl, barely five feet tall, wearing large glasses, her hair and clothes befitting the Mid-80's, when she died.

He told you the truth, ShNnon said, pointing to Garrett. This is my Shade. I'm trapped here, until you find proof...with her, the one who hid it.

"I think she's left the room." Clive's chest rose and fell, as he stared at the mirror. "I don't want to think what would have happened had she pulled me through...!"

The Watcher turned and faced his Slayer solemnly. "Lucy. Gabrielle's abduction of Chan. What very nearly happened here--all tragedies averted because you acted. Do you understand now why you are needed?"

In reply to Big Bad (msg # 424):

Luthien speaks up again.

"I think I know who you mean. But just to be sure I'm not jumping to conclusions, describe your killer."

Seeing Justice done? He was happy to do that too.

I couldn't see him. I just felt his knife. Shannon's head tilted downward, her tremulous voice dropping even lower. Over and over.

Then, her head snapped up, her translucent form shifting just a little closer to her solidity. You're right, though, Bright One. You know who hides my killer's secret.

Melba sighed.  "We don't know why she did it.  Shannon told me but we knew already who hid the evidence.  If we need to find proof before we can help her free then we need to get on it."

In reply to Big Bad (msg # 427):

Luthien ponders a moment.

"Shannon, I'd like you to stay with me while we sort this out. Leave the mirror behind. If you choose to come with me, you can be removed from the mirror. Understand, though, that we're not here for vengeance. Instead, if your killers are mortal, they'll be turned over to Law Enforcement, and they will stand trial like any other human. And be punished accordingly on being found guilty. The one who hides the evidence will not escape either. There is a crime called 'aiding and abetting', and another called 'conspiracy to commit.'"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Mon 28 Mar 2016.

Melba mutters, "It's not 'whoever'. it's the headmistress."

Shannon heard Melba. YES! She tried to grab Melba's arms, but her corporeal hands went through. Sighing, she looked cautiously at Luthien. You'll tell everyone what really happened?

Luthien nods. "Yes, I will. And Justice will be done. Your story will not go unheard anymore."

And now, Luthien proceeds to go search for the woman who'd been keeping this secret. It was time to see some justice done. Past time.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Fri 01 Apr 2016.

Melba moved back to her natural domain, the computer, and began systematically searching step by step through Mrs van Tiel's career, if possible from girlhood onward.  And if she should happen to find any references to the so-called 'schizophrenic vagrant' [OOC did I mention I'm schizophrenic irl?] then she'll make notes of that as well, ready to collate the two stories together if that is possible.

Buffy nodded begrudgingly. "Of course I do. I'm the Slayer. I'm destined to fight the forces of darkess and slay the occasional vampire. I'm also a 16 year old girl who would much rather be destined to marry Chris Evans and live the rest of her days in a multimillion dollar Hollywood mansion. C'mon, let's go see what's happening with the others," Buffy replied. Being the Slayer really sucks! she thought to herself on the way out of the ladies room.

Luthien, for his part, was relentlessly seeking out Ms. Van Tiel. After all, the truth would come to light, as he'd said it would.


01:05, Today: Luthien rolled 11 using 1d10+8.  Searching.

But he wasn't having the best luck. Perhaps she was avoiding him.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:06, Sat 02 Apr 2016.

Melba too is searching, online in her case.


11:39, Today: Melba Ellenberger rolled 12 using 1d10+10.  Computers + intelligence.

Luthien wouldn't find Mrs. Van Tiel...yet...but he saw Buffy & Clive leaving the bathroom that caused so much trouble over the past day. Did he also see Chan slipping quietly toward the Administration building? She'd been too quiet, almost as invisible as a phantom herself.

Melba rolled her eyes at the usual, boring list of memberships and accomplishments one might expect of a proper Southern Headmistress. Born and raised in Savannah, graduated Radcliffe, member of the Historic Savannah Foundation, Wesley Monumental Methodist Church. Her side search of the "schizophrenic vagrant" blamed for the murder--Ronald Jackson--told a sorry tale of institutional racism and ignorance about mental illness. Instead of a "vagrant", Jackson was the former custodian who'd last worked on the day Shannon died.

He was currently serving a life sentence, although his granddaughter and brother successfully crowd-funded enough money for a new defense attorney to re-open the case.

Buffy takes a quick look up and down the hall way to make sure no one's coming before exiting the bathroom. The last thing she wants is for Clive to get fired.

OOC: Today: Buffy Summers rolled 13 using the Unisystem system (1d10+9).  spot check, notice + perception.

That's a little...off.

"Buffy, come with me. Something seems wrong with Chan."

He doesn't mention Clive, cause he was in the ladies' room. Having experienced the awkward himself, he tries not to put Clive in the same situation.

"Lead the way," replied Buffy as she exited the ladies room. She turns and follows Luthien.

Luthien does lead the way, deeming Chan to be more important then Van Tiel, who isn't immediately apparent at the moment. Besides, that who 'faded' thing was bothering him.