After Tola's greeting, but before Rebecca's greeting.

Isreal tries.  He really does.  His lips compress and he tightens his features trying really, really hard not to laugh at Rebecca's discomfort, but he just can't help himself.  A broad grin appears on his face and he begins to laugh loudly and easily - even more so if it flusters Rebecca further.

After Rebecca's Greeting

He raises a suspicious eyebrow to her mention of "Neutral ground" but makes no comment on it.  He replies to her response with a smile "That's ok, good food is away better with more friends right?  Breakfast AND lunch...maybe I should ask you to dinner an complete the trifecta?" He surreptitiously winks in Tola's direction as he playfully asks Rebecca the question.

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 7):

<Purple> Yes, thank you Tola.  You see what you've started?  Rumors in the workplace, being followed around, oy ve! who needs the complication! On the other hand, it isn't as though I care that much what they say at work, so long as it doesn't bother the top brass.

<Dinner you say?  Without chaperons? What scandal! But, I suppose once wouldn't hurt, then you can drive me to the airport.  Sergei is sending me to oversee the new Cloud unit in Africa.  Personally, I hope i don't get transferred to Ghana, but the Ivory Coast is nice to visit.>

Heh, a yes on the first try. Either she's starting to like me or she's just showing pity for the new guy before he's tossed into the world of magic and living gods.
Israel ponders that last part for a moment.
Ah, crap what have you gotten yourself into this time?
He brushes his doubts aside, and prepares to enjoy lunch with his new found friends.


"It's a date then." he replies to Rebekah then takes his seat.  He would ask Rebekah more questions based on her statements, but figures this is neither the time nor the place - work can wait.  He orders his meal, making small talk throughout the lunch.  But as Israel is a trained spook, even simple conversation is used to gather intelligence on his new friends.  It's not as if he's trying, it just comes naturally to him.  He craves knowledge - about everything.  While he does talk - and often -  he speaks without actually saying much, telling little more than surface details about himself, instead leading people to talk about themselves instead.

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 9):

After lunch, sol and Tola go their way, leaving you and Rebekah to make your way back to the compound.

Old habits die hard don't they? It is hard to volunteer information that could be used against you.

Speaking of volunteering information, there are  few things you should know

she proceeds to tell you everything you should know about the Unseelie Accords.(Marcone has not signed at this point, also, she doesn't know all the signatories.

Israel tries to wrap his head around all the information he's collected recently.  Less than a week ago, he didn't even know that "things that go bump in the night" were real, now he's getting a lecture on treaties.

Oy veh, I wonder if this is how Elijah felt when Elohim told him to taunt the priests of Baal.

"It's mind boggling how all this has been kept secret.  People seem to have an amazing ability to ignore evidence, even when its in front of their face." He shakes his head.

"So, Ghana. How many of these task-forces are being set up?"

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 11):

Four for now.  Sergei pushed for more, wanted one per continent, but was lucky to get as much as he did.  You ask me, someone helped him, what the Americans would say "Went to Bat" for him.  Don't ask me who or how, I haven't been able to discover that little secret.

For now, Portland, OR USA, Ghana, Africa, Hong Kong, China, and Glasgow, Scotland as the home office.

Congratulations, you get to be on the star team.  Which of course means a little more is expected, others watching you more closely.  The people who chose you for this team are confident you will do well, though, if that helps take any of the pressure off.

Israel smiles flirtatiously, "As long as you're checking in every now and again, I'm not worried."

Yes genius, cover your apprehension with flowery words and a goofy grin.  You're going to have to deal with all this eventually.  You haven't even dealt with the death of your partner yet.

"So, what time should I pick you up for dinner?"

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 13):

Better make it 5, that will give me time to get my paperwork together and prepare for the trip to Ghana.

And yes, I'll be dropping by.  Someone has to make sure Sergei isn't slipping into his old KGB ways.  Someone also has to make sure you all are not getting in over your heads.

With any luck, Sergei has something easy but interesting for your first mission.

Anyway, I'll talk to you tonight I  need to get ready.

"Tonight it is then."
Israel spends the remainder of the afternoon familiarizing himself with Glasgow, before returning to the base, showering, and digging up a nice pair of clothes for dinner.

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 15):

Rebekah picks you up and you head for the north part of town to a very nice Jewish restaurant.

I hope you don't mind another Jewish restaurant.  Glasgow has other excellent establishments, but I thought you'd prefer keeping to familiar cuisine for a while.

"I don't mind.  At least I can read the menus.  When I was exploring yesterday I saw a restaurant serving 'haggis, neeps and tatties.'  I thought I understood basic English, but that sounds more like the names of three Dwarves than it does a meal."

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 17):

And not friendly dwarves either.  Tell me Yisrael, why did you want to come to dinner with me tonight?

We haven't known each other very long, is it because you are far from home and lonely?
Relationships...haven't worked for me very well in the past.  Is that what you want?  There is a reason I am asking.  As I said, we've known each other a short time.  But there may be a way to learn much much more about one another.  If you are willing.  I warn you though, a soulgaze will change things. For good or ill, our relationship as it is will change somewhat, as we will see who the other is.  On the other hand, no guessing, no wondering, we will know ,and be able to move from there.

You are an attractive, strong willed Jewish woman, with similar experience in intelligence work and certain...additional abilities, so yes, I'm interested.

So, um..what is a soulgaze exactly? There's no chance of melting my brain or anything, right?

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 19):

I checked, your brain has plenty of padding, so you should be ok.  Now, look into my eyes...

What Rebekah sees:

On a hilltop sits a temple - styled after the descriptions of the ancient Temple of Solomon.  Rebekah walks through its gates, though the outer court, through the court of the priests, into the sanctuary itself, the holy of Holies. The interior of the room is bigger on the inside than the outside, and looks like the interior of a modern synagogue. Stained glass windows line the walls showing heroes (both of history, modernity, and fiction). Men that Israel has been inspired to emulate throughout his life.  The temple is divided in the way of the orthodox, but rather than split into men and women, it is divided into accusers and defenders. At the center stands Israel, staring at an empty throne, waiting.  His head is hung low, and there is a brand upon his forehead: כָּשַׁף (kashaph) - Hebrew for witchcraft or sorcery. He shakes slightly with fear.

A shofar (Ram's horn) sounds, and an undefinable, indescribable Presence appears in the temple and sits on the throne.  Above him are seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they cover their faces, with two they cover their feet, and with two they fly. They call to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shake and the temple fills with smoke.

The congregants repeat the entire shema and Rebekah finds herself unconsciously joining in.

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

The accusers stand, call to the Presence, and say, "Suffer not a witch to live! He must be stoned, as is the way of our people!"

Then the defenders stand, call to the Presence, and say,"When we were slaves in Egypt, you sent your power to Moses to defend our people. And when we were ruled by the evil kind Ahab, you sent your power to Elijah and later Elisha to challenge the corrupt kings.  Is this not the same? Is this not your power gifted to a mortal?"

The Presence does not reply to either, but looks straight ahead and asks: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

Israel bows to one knee, still showing fear, but now cloaking it in determination, and replies, “Here am I. Send me.”

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 21):

As you gaze into Rebekah's eyes, the world is engulfed in flame.  You are standing in a home as flames consume the outer areas, working their way to this room.

A child is weeping over her slaughtered family. Her parents flicker between dead and trying to shield the three daughters.

You cannot have them!whispers through the air, then, louder:<i>Better they join us in death, now, than serve you!  God shall welcome us into his bossom, where we shall join Him in mocking you as your plans unravel and you are brought to nothing.

As the voice ends, you see a figure take shape on the other side of the room. He is distorted, terrifying and imposing, until you recognize him.  As you realize you are seeing Set here, a chill sets in.

The voice screams We will never stop fighting! and is then forever silent.

The child turns, and you see the grief and anger in her face, as the little girl looks more and more like the women she will become.  Rebekah screams, throwing uncontrolled force everywhere, causing the room to collapse and her to be thrown clear.

Rebekah's voice rips through the night in rage and fury and loss. I WILL KILL THEM ALL!


Human beings yield in many situations, even important and spiritual and central ones, as long as it prolongs one's well-being. You look to see a large, imposing man walk toward her, speaking gently. <Come, solnyshko, I will help you from here.  You may call me Sergei>

Israel returns to the real world with a sudden shock, slowly shaking his head to try to reacquaint himself with basic actions, such as breathing.

He mutters under his breath, "Unholy demi-gods, Batman..."  He turns back to Rebekah,"That was...intense, to say the least."

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 23):

Rebekah casts her eyes downward, you are confused a moment, then realize she's ashamed of what she figures you saw. (empathy 2)

Wow.  I'd call that arrogance in anyone else.  But all this terrifies you doesn't it?  You want to live up to the calling, but not become a monster.

It's too late for me, Yisrael.  Look what I've done.  What I will do.  I didn't hesitate when those kids came at us.  They threatened us and those with us, so I acted.

I guess I have yielded in an important spiritual situation.  I'm sorry to have pushed you into this.  Thank you for dinner, it was nice to dine together, alone.  If you don't mind, I need to get to the airport now.

You don't have to answer right now, if you want to take a chance on a relationship, you can think about it while I'm gone.  Obviously, my opinion hasn't changed, but I had to let you know the truth.  We're Mossad, and among our kind are too many secrets.

Now able to look her in the eyes with the soulgaze over, Israel stares into her, and quietly quotes Isiah and Psalms.

"Free yourself from the chains on your neck, Daughter Zion, now a captive.  You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed."
"The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned."

He places a hand around her shoulder, squeezes slightly, and walks her to the car.

(Rapport 4, Empathy 0[Argh!])

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 25):

(GM Note: I remembered the name of that aspect during church today so I'm changing it.  You now have the aspect Purge Me with Hyssop.  The idea is you sorta become a spiritual and moral compass.)


Alright, enough of that. For now.  I have to go make sure the team in Ghana is ready for business. They've got a tough section of the world to start in. Not like Glasgow, the worst supernatural problems Glasgow usually has are wizards whose spells go wrong, mortal hikers who wander upon wizards, and The Fat Man, who, from what I hear has taken to exercise.  Last I heard he dropped from about 400 kg to 150kg.  Of course, he's running naked, and that's not so good.

By now you have pulled up to the airport, where the Interpol jet is waiting to take Rebekah to Ghana.  Looks like they haven't fully loaded the jet, so we have a few minutes yet.  Since I'm going that way I'm taking food, equipment, even some foreign aid.  I'm also taking a few special items from Horace, he's been busy making stuff to help that branch.  Like I said, they have a more dangerous area to start off at.

Ghana is not the most, shall we say stable, place to setup an organization. Several coups between the sixties and eighties, and a practical military dictatorship until recently*.  Am I to assume 'meddling creatures' and other dark forces have played a part in Africa's tendency towards instability? And this particular crew is tasked with helping stabilize the area?

(*assuming this game takes place roughly around 2000, as that is when Storm Front is generally speculated to have taken place. Yes the historian can't help but bring in actual history, I used to share an office with a woman from Ghana, so sue me.)

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 27):

(I'm adjusting the year a tiny bit, and making things happen sooner than they did historically.  Ghana was chosen because it is a relatively new addition to Interpol, yes they have an office there, for a couple of years now.  The idea is the top brass, who are aware of the supernatural, discovered the need of one of the new Cloud groups in Africa.  You'll find a lot of the corrupt dictators are backed by more than just money. It gives the monstrous types place to lay low.While I'm not a historian, I have done my homework.)

It's a rough place.  That's why Sergei didn't staff that office with warm, cuddly agents like at the glasgow office. She smiles playfully.


  I'm hoping not to be gone long, these sort of visits usually last a few days.  I'm suppose to be returning to Tel Aviv in a week or so, check with Mossad, and other contacts we have there to see what is going on over there.  We suspect something is coming, like the Browns are preparing something, but we've no clear idea of what that may be.

Israel raises an eyebrow and gives her a lopsided grin, "I'm told women like warm and cuddly."

"I'm still learning all this lingo. Browns are Set's people? Vampires, I think you said?"

Israel, you do realize you just casually asked about an ancient undead clan, right?

Yes, subconscious.

And you continue to act like this is a standard conversion?

Yes, subconscious, shut up.

In reply to Israel Levy (msg # 29):

To be honest, we don't know a lot about them.  They may not even call themselves The Brown Court.  We know there is a Red Court, White Court, and Black Court, so we call these Brown.  We've had little dealings with them until recently.  Sergei dealt with them a little but mostly his attentions when he did this job were mostly in other areas.   Basically, we know Set is one of the high ups, if not the leader of them, and they've been behind a large amount of the violence in the middle east for, well, thousands of years.

As far back as Egyptian dominance, maybe responsible for some of the other civilizations of the ancient world.  Horace seems to think they did not approve of the Persians, though, or the Greeks.

She pauses, then laughs for a moment, you can't help but notice how nice is sounds to hear her laugh, considering every going on.  Look at us. Eaten together 3 times today, including dinner alone, and staring into one another's souls. Now I'm about to get on a plane and what do we talk about? Middle eastern vampires.  Hazard of the job, I suppose.  I need to board the plane.  We'll talk more when I get back, or I'll call if it's going to be a while.

She kisses you on the cheek, then opens the door, grabbing her single carry-on size bag, and heading for the plane.

Israel's face reddens lightly.  "Layla tov (good night), Rivkah. And good luck."