The next morning everyone meets at the hotel, which has an attached restaurant. It looks to be bustling and busy, but they find you all a table with ease. Ian gives the waiter a grin and jokes with him a bit, indicating that he has frequented this place quite a bit. He gives a few recommendations on the food and the ordering begins.


ooc: Proceed! :D

Coming down for breakfast just on the appointed time, Penny ordered herself a light traditional English breakfast: bacon, sausage, scrambled egg, fried mushrooms, and hot toast with butter, along with a coffee. She made sure there was a salt shaker on the table, and asked the waiter if the spoons were silver.

Once everyone had gathered and settled down to breakfast, and talked through various small-talk, conversation got down to formal introductions and the one thing they all had in common: hunting.

'Well, good morning, ladies and gentlemen. For those of us who haven't been formally introduced, I am Penny Dreadful — a pseudonym, of course.' Penny explained that, in Britain, the penny dreadful was a type of cheap serialised fiction that told tales of horror and crime, "dreadful" referring largely to the quality. She showed a battered pamphlet printed on cheap pulp paper, telling the adventures of Varney the Vampire with a lurid illustration of the vampire hero himself. Kate could recognise it as an early type of pulp fiction magazine or a comic book. 'I felt it fitting to my trade. It is something of a nom de guerre to protect my family name from scandal and any enemies I happen to make.' In accordance with that, she declined to discuss her family in any detail, nor even her real name, whether out of fear or privacy or shame she didn't not make clear. Her words did suggest that she was from some aristocratic family, of England's upper class.

Penny explained that a nom de guerre was an old French military practice, a 'war name' granted to soldiers to distinguish them. It also was commonly adopted by French and other European "slayers" (better known as "hunters" in the frontier society of America) to disassociate their real lives from their work, and to protect their families from retribution.

Unlike almost every hunter, however, no horrific tragedy or encounter had pushed Penny into the life, only simple curiosity, skill, and a sense of justice and natural order. This was a profession to her. In fact, she was not a hunter at all. 'I am an amateur consulting detective specialising in cases possessing certain unique, even grotesque, features and supernatural elements. Of course, a woman of my station may not hold a job of this kind, so I am merely a woman of education and independent means with an avid interest in the paranormal. Many society ladies dabble in mesmerism, mediums, and seances. I provide scientific and paranormal jurisprudence to Scotland Yard and local police, as well as consulting services to private citizens and government departments. They usually find a way of recompensing me for my services. Holmes has also been so good as to give me his leavings, those cases that proved beyond his mundane expertise.'

'I did indeed train under Sherlock Holmes, the renowned detective. You may also have heard of Conan Doyle's novel A Study in Scarlet, which dramatises his cases; I understand more stories are forthcoming... We came into contact on a case, were of like mind, and from him I learned the skills of observation and deduction. I am pleased to be "the Woman" who bested him, once.' She proceeded to demonstrate Holmes's "trick", the ability to analyse a person at a glance, but she admitted she was not yet as talented. She proceeded to demonstrate it on each person at the table, in obvious and subtle ways. For example, the worn, dusty knees on Father Cole's pants indicated he spent a lot of time kneeling on a floor, likely in prayer. Doctor von Stein's hands were dry and the hairs short, which was suggestive of medical sterilisation procedures, which involved flash-burning. In other examples related to hunting, dirt on the shoulder could indicate grave-digging; chalk dust to the drawing of symbols; indentations and blisters on hands to the use of different weapons. But Penny chose not to look too closely at those she would work with.

Penny's skills were in crime-scene investigation in ways that would later be known as basic forensics, and the solving of crimes, whether perpetrated by a human or a monster. She also had a sizeable knowledge of arcane lore, religion and mythology, history, and a scattering of other sciences, including the nascent field of psychology, particularly criminal. Having some contact and work with the London underworld, she had a little criminal knowledge, and was a decent lock-picker and safe-cracker. In combat, she explained, she could fire a gun in close quarters, and was a dab hand at defending herself, with knife, cane, or umbrella. She'd also learned to fight in the dark or a thick London fog. 'And you simply have not lived until a vampire has leaped out of peasouper at your throat.' She admitted she usually enlisted the services of some sturdy policemen, hard ruffians, or other hunters when it actually came time to slay a monster.

'In my career thus far, I have had a number of successes and earned some royal honours and a small reputation that no doubt attracted the attention of the Men of Letters. I solved two cases that vexed Holmes: the disappearance of Mr. James Phillimore, whisked away by faeries, never to be seen again; and the curious case of Isadora Persano, a well-known journalist and duellist, who was found stark staring mad before a matchbox containing a remarkable worm unknown to science. It was quite unspeakably alien. I have slain an owlman, a risen Egyptian mummy, and a spring-heeled jack, the latter by springing a very large net before he could bound away. I have sighted the Loch Ness Monster, exposed the cannibalistic Nyarlathotep cult at Exham Priory, and prevented the second Lambton Worm from awakening and laying waste to the countryside.' She travelled over much of Britain, and parts of continental Europe in search of cases.

'You may have heard of the notorious Jack the Ripper case of 1888? I investigated the grisly murders, tracked the killer down, and... dispatched him.' Penny felt confident speaking of the case to fellow hunters, who were used to secrecy about their deeds and the things they fought, but she begged them not to spread word of her involvement. She declined to speak much of the case — 'Not over breakfast.' — nor the killer's identity, having quite some reticence over the matter. When asked what kind of monster the Ripper was, she answered laconically 'No monster— well, a man.' It transpired that Penny did not limit herself to monstrous and magical killers, but hunted serial killers and rapists too. She hunted predators, of all kinds.

Penny did not speak over-much of her more radical views, feeling that to simply be polite, especially with Father Simon present, and chose not to pursue an argument over the breakfast table. She was an ardent suffragist, a campaigner for women's right to vote and legal rights and freedoms. It also became clear she was quite loyal to the British Empire, and felt strongly for justice and a scientific and rational approach to her work. Monsters were irrational, and justice had to be brought to them.

She mentioned to Father Simon that she was an Anglican Christian, of the Church of England. But it was clear her faith was not strong, and it was a nominal thing.

Penny's hobbies included reading, cross-stitch, and the collecting of souvenir spoons. She was disappointed that the hobby had not yet reached America.

*

Penny had a few questions for her fellows:

She was impressed at Simon's vision from God, but had to ask 'Why did He change your name, from one classically Biblical name to another? I mean, can you think why?' She meant no offence nor presumed to question God, she was simply puzzled and curious about the significance.

Hearing a little of Simon's interest in psychology, Penny talked a little about recent studies with him. In particular, she asked his thoughts on the women's condition of hysteria, but did not pursue any disagreement.

Penny veritably doted on Kate, explaining anything peculiar or unknown to her time, and explaining any customs she didn't understand, though Penny's Victorian habits weren't quite the same as those of Americans. In turn, Penny was fascinated by everything she had to say, and was quite taken with the woman of the future. Privately, Penny supposed this was what it was like to have a friend.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:18, Sun 03 Nov 2013.

Simon arrived early and had been seated as many of the others arrived. He was looking at the menu and himself appeared to have taken ill. It was the expense that turned his stomach, not the food. Five dollars for a meal? Don't these people know what five dollars means to those of stations lower than their own? Apparently not. Finally he pushed the menu away and asked to be brought a cup of coffee (which was a quarter - shameless!) so as not to make other uncomfortable. "I will repast at the Abby." He says to the waiter.

He is grateful when Penny signals she wants to begin, giving him something else to place his attention upon. After a bit he was chiding himself for his earlier gratefulness as he found himself more than once having impure thoughts about her. He would need to visit his confessor, often it seemed while she was around. He would need to keep a distance between them so at not to stir her. That would be dangerous indeed.

When she had finished he began his own tale. "I am Father Simon Cole. I was born David Cole, but when I was ordained I changed my name. It is not uncommon, but the circumstance with which I came to my name is. I was eight years old, listening to a class lecture on the lineage of Christ. A little know Biblical character is Nimrod who is called a great hunter before god was talked about, and when I heard about this man I thought of well of a burly woodsman type, covered in much and hair and animal skins. I was granted a vision, God showed me this man as he really was, a small, almost meek figure with only a bit of grey hair around his temples. He had a power I can only describe as profound as he tore apart demons with his bare hands. As the vision ended I heard distinctly God's voice. 'I shall make you my modern Nimrod, and your name will be Simon.' I awoke from a fever and a seizure in the company of a nurse, a priest, and my parents. I told them everything. After probing me further, the priest pronounced me to be truthful and that I had received an actual vision. It made the local papers, though the particulars were left out."

Here Penny's question about his name change.

Simon thinks carefully before answering. "I have always felt that God wanted me to pursue something other than King David's legacy. David was a warrior for sure, but he was not a man of the current Age of Grace. I believe God is instructing me to be like Simon of Cyrene who took up the Cross of Christ. Perhaps like Simon I am to be an example for those around me."

Simon goes on to tell about his family and education at a Catholic School and later at Boston College under a Church Scholarship to become a Jesuit priest. "I hold degrees in both Divinity and Medicine. I am not a medical doctor, but an able assistant - a nurse of you will. I specialized in Brain diseases. This was at the behest of the Church, for even in School I was being groomed to join the Order, those priests of the Vatican trained as exorcists. Since many disorders of the brain mimic demonic possession it is important to be able to tell the difference. Perhaps eight in ten cases of demonic possession reported to the Church are the province of brain disease. I will not go into the standard treatments, they are far to brutal for mixed company."

Here Penny's question about Hysteria.

At her question Simon turns a deep shade of crimson and becomes very uncomfortable in his chair. His impure thoughts mock him as he tries to beat them down, figuratively of course. After some lengthy period of time he is able to return her gaze again. "Simply put, Hysteria is not a disease of the female mind, but of all minds. It is normally the result of some trauma, such as being involved in a war. It can be accompanied by epilepsy, and in those cases surgery is often required to alleviate the stricken condition. Though it is named for ahhhh...female anatomy...it is not a singularly female condition. Very few conditions are. The only one affecting the brain I can think of is...err...menstruation, which elevated the blood to the brain and can cause some manner of confusion on the part of the woman. Alas my experience with this condition is minimal. I am normally called in when there is a much more sever disorder." After again fighting a bout of his own discomfort he adds, "I hope I've not offended anyone with my frank talk."

He then goes on to discuss some of the exorcisms he has attended. He talks about the methods used, mainly the conflict is over getting the demon to name itself. Once it is named it can be commanded rather easily. Simon's involvement with the Men of Letters is peripheral to his work in the Church. He will speak openly about the need for charity in the modern world, how there are more people now than before and the more people the more the need. He is extraordinary passionate about this topic and about the topic of equality of the races.

As to Penny's question about women's suffrage, he will simply say, "I believe in equality for all humanity, all races and both genders. We are all created by God. I do believe, however, that some who take part in this movement do so at their own disgrace. Women should endeavor to dress and act like women, and men like men. Confusing the genders is one of the reasons for the fall of Rome. I believe it was Nero who had a little boy castrated to make a little girl out of him? These things are clearly the Devil's work. We should behold the Devil's work and know it, but not condemn those poor souls enraptured by it. I believe I have learned that lesson, planks and splinters in the eyes and all..."

He asks Ian for the reason he is so shy. None of them will be angry with him or think less of him. He is making a bold effort to turn the topic away from himself and Penny, for differing reasons.

Kate sat down with the others and ordered her breakfast quickly asking for "Eggs sunny side up please, and toast." She also asked for a glass of water.

She listened with interest to the others introductions, tucking little facts here and there away for future reference. She greatly enjoyed seeing Father Simon's discomfort during his discussion with Penny. It was amusing to hear the Father speak awkwardly of menstruation. On his views of equality she vowed never to tell him that in 2013 people got sex changes and that gay marriage was becoming widely excepted.

Penny was a wealth of knowledge and Kate enjoyed hearing her speak of Holmes and her other adventures. It was clear her new friend was ahead of her time and Kate pitied her having to live during a time when women were not fully appreciated.

When her time came for introduction she twisted her ring a little nervously. "I'm Kate Piper and I am not a Ghostbuster. She went on to explain using Penny's old battered pamphlet that Ghostbusters were a fictional group of men who caught ghosts for a living. "I wear the shirt because not only is it totally awesome, but it's ironic because I do hunt ghosts." She flashed a smile. "My dad was a hunter and his before him. We go back a few generations. Most everyone is dead now except my Grandmother and honestly I was getting ready to give it up myself." She glanced down a the ring on her finger. "There is a lot of messed up stuff in 2013, supernatural and not. I thought it might be a good idea to get out before I ended up like my parents." She doesn't go into detail but it's hinted they died in an unpleasant way. "But here I am. I'm for sure ready to help in any way I can because honestly if we don't save the past, I wont have a future to go home to." She didn't bother giving much more history than that. Most of it would require a great deal of explanation and she didn't want to take up any more time.

"I will require a gun," she does add looking to Ian for this. "I'm sure The...Club can provide me with one? My own will do for now but I will be running out of bullets and would like a backup."

Penny offered to pay for the whole breakfast on her hotel bill. After all, she was quite well-off on her rewards, wise investments, and family fortune. Indeed, staff addressed her with great deference as Lady Penelope.

She was amused at Simon's discomfort at her question about hysteria, though she blushed herself when he spoke of openly menstruation. Biological matters really weren't a topic for polite conversation where she was from, despite the times when she'd examined monster kills and the Ripper's bloody deeds. Regardless, she found herself agreeing with, and approving of, Simon's advanced views on hysteria, having gotten at something she'd wondered about herself. 'That's very interesting, Father. It has seemed to me that anything that may afflict a man's mind may afflict a woman also, in much the same way, but then the doctors call it hysteria and blame it upon the uterus, and are unwilling to examine further. I do hope your views spread more widely.' She certainly did not mention the common treatments for hysteria, some of which were quite ghastly, though others were quite exhilarating.

She frowned at Simon's later words, his criticism of the women's suffrage movement, insistence on assigned gender roles, and variability between them, though she blushed again at the talk of castration. Did the priest have no manners? She could not wholly accept his views, but lacked the knowledge or experience to really say why. 'The emperor was depraved, but the boy had no choice and was cruelly butchered. It is a far, far cry from the practicality of pants to the working woman. Did not God create Adam and Eve equal and unclothed in the Garden of Eden? It seems to me that all else since has been an invention of mankind, or inspired by the Devil.' She left her objections at that.

*

'"Awesome"?' Penny repeated in puzzlement to Kate. 'You wear it to inspire awe or fear in the ghosts?' So, the word "awesome" apparently meant something different in Kate's time. Although she could understand Kate well enough, she had some odd turns of phrase likely not yet created in English that she had to think about.

A little stiffly, she placed a reassuring hand on Kate's as she spoke of her lost family. 'I am sorry for your losses.'

Stefan listened to each of them telling a bit about themselves. He found some of it to be very interesting, but kept his comments to himself about most of it. It was not for him to judge.

Stefan gave those there a slight bow. "My name is Stefan Von Stein, I am a doctor a medicine. I vas educated in Edinburgh, Scotland vhere I excelled in da field a medicine. Like you Father Cole I 'ave a interest in da mind, but medicine in general is a big part a my life, dhough some vould call it a bit unordhodox.

All my life da vorld a da occult 'as been dhere. My modher vas Gypsy an my fadher vas a doctor an scientist. I did not know 'im very vell, nor do I believe in vhat he did. I was 13 vhen modher left 'im. Ve vent back ta 'er people. It vas vith dhem dhat I learned dhat dhe occult vorld vas very open to me. I vas called a savant. I vould say I am just gifted.

Vhile I vas vith my modher and 'er people I learned dhere vays. Dhey taught me da old vays. Vunce I vas in medical classes, dhanks ta a backer I never knew. I mixed dhese old vays vith da vays dhey taught me. I vas considered by some ta be barbarian. Dhey called me magician, alchemist, quack, an charlatan, but I knew better. Da old vays can exist side by side vith da new vays a medicine. Vhen dhere vas not doctors a today dhere vere dhose dhat used dhese old vays ta cure da sik. It is vhat I do, as vell, but I mix da nu vith it."

Stefan looked at them for a momnent, then went on. "I vas first introduced ta da men a letters by somevun dhat knew a my fadher an vished ta know if I vas like him."

He looked directly at Miss Dreadful. "An I vould prefer you did not ask, for I am not like 'im, but I know it vill fester inside a you or you vill dig till you know. My fadher vas Victor Von Frankenstein."

Stefan went on with his story."I vas asked ta assist on a hunt due ta my knowledge a da okkult. Dhey needed me ta decifer some vritings. Vhat I decifered vas gibberish a a mind dhat had vent mad. It turned out ta be a ghoul. It is 'ow I got dhis limp, but dhat vas a long time ago. Most a my dealings vith hunting vould be dealing vith research, but I 'ave dealt vith dhose I must.

I came 'ere because a a feeling an Fadher Mikal sent me. I dhought it vas for my knowledge a da occult, but it vould seem dhat is covered vell by dhose 'ere already. So, ve vill see vhat use I can be ta you."

Stefan sat there quietly, then began sipping his tea.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:23, Mon 04 Nov 2013.

When Penny offered to pay for their meal, Simon looked ill again, perhaps even a bit green. He listened, though, not wanting to miss anything they had to say, especially Penny it seemed. When she spoke of Genesis he nodded, "I see your point, a very good one in fact. I will need to pray over this I think."

His guilt was really gnawing at him. How could she so flippantly spend so much money? The wealthy always amazed him with their ability to either not see suffering around them, or to simply not equate it with their own actions. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose...

Ian is an attentive and friendly listener, though he offers very little about himself unless asked. He does respond to the Father's question about his shyness with a bit of confusion at first. Shy? Me? Well, I'm not exactly the shy type if you haven't noticed.....Oh. You mean about asking to join you! He says with realization. He gives a sheepish grin. Well, honestly Father, I am a man of some....unfortunate vices as I'm sure you've picked up on. I have strayed a bit far from the church as of late and I thought the presence of one such as myself would make you uncomfortable.... He shakes his head awkwardly. I have been meaning to make my way back, I'm just not ready to make all the necessary changes yet, you know what I mean? It's on my list though, I can assure you of that. He adds cheerily. And if something doesn't kill me first, I should make a full recovery in a few years or so.... He grins widely, but for those with a keen enough eye, you can tell he feels somewhat guilty for his actions.

Kate smiled. "In my time awesome can also mean something that is really... neat, or outstanding. Like saying: 'oh you did an awesome job cleaning that up. Or it's a really awesome book!'" She shrugged. The word didn't work nearly as well when you had to explain it.

In response to Penny's condolences her smile transformed into a fake one. "It's okay. It was a long time ago." She took a drink of water, content to let the others do the rest of the talking. It was like they were characters out of books and Kate found it very interesting to watch them interact and give their different histories. More than anything she wanted her laptop so she could Google them all.

'Ah, they are Roma?' Penny said to von Stein as he mentioned being a Gypsy half-breed, demonstrating she knew the proper name for the travelling people.

Penny had not intended to inquire or investigate too deeply of her fellow hunters, as she knew hunters typically had secrets and personal tragedies. It would be impolite to delve, unless she had sufficient cause to do so. So she was surprised when von Stein chose make his revelation and singled her out as a cause. 'I hadn't intended—' she had begun when von Stein said he was the son of the notorious Victor von Frankenstein. She had heard some ghastly old rumours of the Frankenstein case, of experiments in vivisection and attempted reanimation via galvanism and darker arts. She felt a cold chill at the idea, but was understanding of von Stein's concerns. 'We are not our fathers, doctor. Nor do we have to be like them.' she said stiffly, thinking of her poor relationship with her own father.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:58, Tue 05 Nov 2013.

Stefan looked once again at Penny. "Ve both know dhat you vould a done it. It is part a vhat you are. A mystery must be solved, so I told you instead. Judgements are made in da name a da fadher. All I can do is try ta prove ta da vorld dhat I am not like 'im."

Late that night:



'Father Simon?' Penny repeated with surprise, having been distracted with thoughts of the case, of Belial and the Bentlys. She didn't quite know what to say; truthfully, she'd not given the priest much thought. Or rather, not much positive thought, given their regular clashes of opinion. 'He seems a devout and faithful priest.' she answered diplomatically, since manners were all.

Kate couldn't help but laugh. Penny was such a great detective but she was obviously oblivious to how uncomfortable she made the priest. "I couldn't help but notice....I'm pretty sure he's got a crush on you." She gave her friend a moment to process the information before adding. "He probably wouldn't do anything about it since he's a priest and all, but you might want to keep it in mind when you are talking to him."

'A crush?' Penny repeated, aghast. Although Kate had an odd manner of speaking at times, with phrases and meanings that might not be in use for a century, Penny felt confident that she could decipher her futuristic (or American) parlance. It was, like code-breaking and detective work, all a matter of context. Penny snorted in derision. 'Hmph. I am well aware of the good priest's feelings about me.' she answered indignantly. 'He may be "crushed on" me all he likes, but I shall not change to suit him... But, yes, I will keep it in mind.' she added with a sigh, more for Kate's request that Simon's benefit.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:27, Fri 18 Apr 2014.

Kate smiled at Penny's reaction. So she was playing dumb. A smart move, and it would probably help Father Simon feel better if he thought she didn't notice. "No worries, you don't have to hook up with him or anything. I just thought you might not know. Poor guy seems pretty uncomfortable. It's really awkward to watch."

"Hook up"? Ah, it was something to do with fishing, or like the boxing attack, perhaps referring to an argument or brawl. 'Indeed. The fellow has taken to staring at me — I do believe he's suffering from concussion. Well, it's a common complaint among priests.' Penny said, thinking of how appalled and dismayed — crushed, even — the conservative man of the cloth was at her radical political views, suffrage for women and all that. 'You needn't fear me, ah, hooking him up. We all play for the same team, after all.'

'Although if he knocks me up one night with some bible-thumping there shall be hell to pay.' she added darkly.

Kate laughed and it occurred to her that Penny probably had no idea what she'd said. Well tonight wasn't the night to explain it, but every time her friends comment about "knocked up bible thumping" came to mind it brought a fresh smile to Kate's face.

"We'll I'm glad you can hold your own against Simon," she replied. Honestly Kate wasn't exactly sure Penny understood what she'd been trying to tell her about Father Simon's feelings. She shrugged, it would be interesting to see how things played out in the next few days.

'Well, it is no great concern.' Penny brushed off the matter, not really wishing to discuss her quarrels with Father Simon. Maybe it was because she was so quick to disagree, or correct, or protest, to speak her mind. In her life, she'd often been chided for not holding her tongue as a woman should, by Father and others. Well, she'd never taken much notice of that, and wasn't about to start. Old attitudes simply had to be left behind.

She stared ahead at the streets of New York in the night-time, lit by the new electric arc lamps. Such technology was spreading far and fast; the turn of the century was coming and the world was changing for the better. Some insisted the world would end at the end of the century, but Kate was proof that it would not. It had to be a wondrous century, to produce marvels like Kate's portable telephone and a woman as free as Kate herself, no matter the oddity of her clothes. Penny felt she ought to see how Kate was adapting to being flung back in over a century, to such a different time. It had to have been quite a jarring transition. She looked back to Kate, asking, a little haltingly, 'Kate, how... are you settling in here? To this time, I mean?'

Kate thought about Penny's question for a moment before answering. There was a lot to get used to in this new time and she really did miss 2013. But it was also exciting to see how different everything was, and of course to be working with other hunters, even if the threat of the end of the world was looming over them. "I'm holding up alright. It will be better once I can get out of this dress. How do you wear these things all day?" She plucked at the fabric of her skirt with a frown. "There is a lot to get used to," she admitted with a smile. "But it's all good. We'll get things straightened out here and then I can find a way back."

'I suppose one grows used to it... But the corset wasn't necessary in this company, or, at least, you don't need to tight-lace it if you don't desire the wasp waist. It's terribly unhealthy, and is restrictive in a fight. The same goes for bustles, hobble-skirts, and the like. I have avoided all of these silly accessories; though it may be terribly unfashionable and unattractive of me, I am still alive and breathing!' Penny explained proudly. Ironically, and unbeknownst to Penny, it was probably her rare and rebellious natural curves rather than the exaggerated S-shaped hour-glass of high fashion that had fellows like Father Simon or Mister Shaw get so hot and bothered. 'Though, admittedly, I once wore an old-fashioned full-scale crinoline hoop dress to a ball — with a hem weighted with rock salt. I was a veritable fortress against ghosts!' she cheered.

'Well, anyway, I can get you a sporting corset if you wish, or re-lace that one more loosely for you. We could also try the simpler dresses and shorter skirts of the lower classes, or, if we may be so daring, bloomers. I also keep trousers and a bowler hat handy for going hunting, though I suspect certain gentlemen will be rather shocked... Personally, I'm looking forward to it.' she confided in Kate with a mischievous smile.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:17, Wed 23 Apr 2014.

"Yes fashion has changed a lot over the years," Kate commented listening to Penny's description with interest. "I would kill for a pair of pants," she added "and if the men want to be shocked then let them. They aren't the ones who have to tromp around in stupid skirts. I really don't know how you do it, corset or not." She snorted, " I can hear Father Simon's protests now. The man would have a heart attack if he could see the way they dress in my time. "

'Indeed, your ghost-hunting chemise was quite a shock,' Penny admitted, a trifle embarrassed to recall it, 'But after wearing a half-dozen layers of cloth, I can certainly see the appeal. Oh, to see a future world not so bound by high fashion or shocked by the sight of the female form.' she lamented. 'Still, skirts have their uses, especially for concealing weapons.'

Penny chewed on her thoughts for a time, intrigued by the customs of a liberated future, before quietly asking Kate 'Your clothes... might I try them on tonight? Just between us ladies?' At last, Penny broke and giggled like a girl at the scandalous idea, the image of her in a Ghostbusters t-shirt, and grabbed Kate for support lest she fall out of the cab.

Fortunately, the design of the hansom cab placed the driver above and behind the compartment, so he heard little of the giggly girl talk below.

"For sure you can try them on," Kate laughed at Penny's excitement. "I don't know what size shoes you wear but you haven't lived until you try on a pair of comfortable sneakers too." It was nice to talk about girl things and forget the strange events of the past day. "I'm pretty sure I have a candy bar in my bag too, she added.

'Food from the future, extraordinary! ...And did you have music on that portable telephone of yours? I should love to listen to it.' They were sure to have a merry evening, and after today's trials, Penny felt sure they needed it. And Penny felt glad to have a friend she could speak freely with.

"Oh there is music," Kate said with a grin. "You may not like it, but trust me it grows on you." They'd had the girl talk, there was going to be candy and music. Kate was reminded of the slumber parties she'd gone to as a kid. It was going to be a fun night.

Men of Letters Headquarters, Chapel

After arriving back at the Men of Letters headquarters, prior to the expedition to 1863, Penny followed Father Simon into the small chapel. Reluctant to enter a small box with something akin to claustrophobia, Penny began speaking outside. 'How should one address an angel?' she asked, thinking of Simon's earlier surprise and her own puzzled reaction to Castiel. She needed guidance. It was, essentially, a matter of manners. 'Castiel introduced himself to me quite plainly – he is not accompanied by heavenly trumpets and radiances, he seems too humble for that. And I must say I was too surprised and distracted to address him properly. I was lost for words.' For once, some might say. 'Thereafter, we conversed in an informal fashion, and later he visited me in, ah, intimate circumstances.' Penny bit her lip, embarrassed to hint at the encounter. 'It is hard to maintain a sense of awe. I like Mr Castiel, but I am not sure how to take him.'

Simon went behind the confessional but did not sit. Instead he leaned on the low wall, maintaining decorum for them both with the physical separation. "You may be surprised, Penny but Anglicans and Orthodox Catholics have more in common with each other then either do with the Roman church. We confess to God as well, however we have someone who aids us. If ever you need that, please come to me. Now to the question at hand. I know little about Angels, actually. I know a great deal about demons, but little about the Heavenly Host. Peter said, 'Even now there are Angels in heaven that carry deadly weapons.' There is scholarly debate on that, but the blade you gave me seems to answer it in my opinion."

He watched for her reactions as he went on. "How should we address an Angel? I suppose how that Angel wishes to be addressed. If this Angel is informal and wants you to be so as well, then by all means. If you need it's aid, then shouting for it would not be out of line."

He paused there so that the gravity of his next point came home. "Prayer, though, implies supplication and even worship. Calling on this Angel in the name of God or Jesus Christ would I think be acceptable to Him. Asking for the Angels aid, again in God's name and in the Angel's would be how I would go about things. Sometimes I get caught up in the semantics, and I apologize for that. Perhaps you meant merely that you communed with the Angel, in which case I think you are still in God's good graces."

At last, Penny shrugged and sat in the other half of the confessional. It seemed a curious contraption, placing barriers between them and the world. It gave a distance and privacy that seemed to aid in speaking freely nonetheless. She listened to Simon speak on angels and found herself in agreement. But she frowned curiously at the last part. 'Why would I not be?' she wondered, feeling her hackles rise, partially at their old feud, mostly for her fears at the Darkmoor taint. Relaxing herself, she let it pass. 'No, never mind, I know what you mean. When we think words into the heavens, it all feels the same. But, no, you are correct, it is not prayer. We simply call upon him, like with a telephone.'

'And I feel you're right, we should react and respond as he presents himself. It is the same for humans, after all, and Castiel is surprisingly human. Thank you.'

Penny sat quietly for a time, chewing her lip and reflecting on her other encounter with Castiel. She'd rather discuss it with Kate, though she hadn't, and indeed, couldn't, though the matter seemed moot now. Though their earlier argument still weighed bitterly on her mind, Father Simon was still a priest and it was a divine matter. Some day there would be women priests to make this easier. She spoke hesitantly, looking away. 'Perhaps I do have something to confess... When I said Castiel visited me in intimate circumstances, he, uh, came to me, privately, while I was, ah, bathing, in the shower...' Penny blushed, rosy pink colour coming to her pale face. 'He is as innocent as Adam in the Garden! I retained my privacy and dignity and there was no impropriety, I swear... Can there be impropriety with an angel? And can one – speaking hypothetically, of course – have, ah, impure thoughts about one?' Well, okay, there was a reason for asking...
This message was last edited by the player at 07:05, Mon 14 Sept 2015.

Simon smiled as he realized she understood him and dropped her defensiveness. "You are most welcome, Penny. What is a...tel-a-phone?"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_telephone
It took a long time for the telephone to become common. =-)

Simon sat in his place and opened the confessional window. Here he is at ease and very professional, yet still the same caring man. He takes on what can only be described as a doctor/patient outlook. He treats her with dignaty and respect and approaches these subjects delicately. At her confession, Simon grew thoughtful. "Would you mind if I first tell you what I believe regarding impure thoughts? God created us all as sexual beings, Penny. The Song of Solomon/Song of Songs celebrates a passionate sexual relationship within the bounds of marriage. When Christ warned against impure thoughts, what he actually said was 'When a man (or woman) looks upon a woman (or man) with lust in his (or her) heart, then he (or she) has already committed adultery.' I added the alternate pronouns because I believe this was meant for all of humanity. Men are guilty of physical lust more often than women, but not exclusively. Lust, though, is not any sexual thought. Lust is dwelling on improper thought about someone you are not married to, so within the bounds of marriage all sexual thought is welcomed."

He gave her a moment to absorb that before going on. "Because we are sexual beings, and not entirely rational myrmidons, we are expected to have these thoughts on occasion, even about those we are not married to. What then is the sin? I believe it to be dwelling on such thoughts until they consume our waking lives. That might be a bit...liberal...compared to some of my brethren in the cloth, but it is my view."

He went on, "It is possible to have impure thoughts about things other than humans. So yes, it is possible to have such thoughts about an angel. Now we come to another interesting problem. Is it possible to have such relations with an angel? I believe it is. Genesis 6: 1-10 discusses 'The sons of God' marrying and having children with 'daughters of man.' Nephilim, the Bible calls them - a Greek word that roughly translates to demi-angel. Sons of God is a Biblical euphemism for angel. Scholarly debate about it being such in that passage does occur, but for my part I believe that yes, a human woman can marry and have children with an angel."

He concluded, "I believe it is just as great a sin to deny our nature, being sexual beings, as it is to commit adultery. That is chief among the reasons I migrated to the Orthodox Church. I also think, Penny, if you have these feelings for this angel, perhaps you might discuss them with him? Who knows, he may reciprocate. It is even possible that I might have the happy duty of performing that right for you? I dearly hope so."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:39, Sun 13 Sept 2015.

'A marvellous device. There's one installed in the base; I'll show you later.'

OOC: I think Artemis has mentioned it.

Penny shuffled uncomfortably on her seat as Simon spoke of such private matters. She'd expected him to be a more delicate in his wording; there were euphemisms for 's's word after all. She'd steeled herself to be critical, expecting Simon to be prudish as some preachers were, but what he was said was actually quite reasonable. 'That's... quite reasonable,' she said, sounding surprised. 'I wouldn't know, myself, of course, and things are different in 2013, but that is good to bear in mind.' she fluttered away any connection to herself. 'One should expect a girlish infatuation with beings of such perfection and goodness, but it should pass with familiarity.'

She rounded inquisitively on the priest, looking through the window, 'What do you know of nephilim? The giants of the Bible?' she asked, seizing on the chance to discuss the supernatural as a distraction from more delicate matters, to chase away the image of her marrying Castiel. It seemed a good way to prepare Simon for the matter of Lily, though she would let Castiel decide on whether to tell him.

"Alright. I am comfortable with new things."



He grinned broadly. "I suppose I have been unreasonable at times." He laughed at himself and hoped she would as well.



He was thoughtful at her comment. "I...hope you find what you want Penny. You deserve happiness, everyone does. You are a good person."



Simon knew he was being steered but not the why. Penny was good at this, so whatever her reason he decided she would tell him or not in her own time. "Two different things, Penny, at least in my mind. We today would be giants to Greek or Roman people of Christ's time if museums have clothing right anyway. Giants are just inordinately large people. Nephilim are something else. They possess traits of both angelic and human parents. The Bibles speaks of 'Mighty men of great renown,' and while there are some scholarly differences on what this means, my thought is that it points to stories of men like Hercules and Gilgamesh. Men who were not totally men, and were ascribe to being half god and I am sure there are such women as well. Stories like the Amazons point to this. Understand, Penny this is speculation. I have never met either an Angel or Nephilim. I do not begrudge you your relationship with the Messenger, but I fully admit that I am envious of it. The simple fact that this Messenger appeared to you means you have a special place in God's design. Pay heed to it, Penny. God will speak to you, perhaps in those quiet hours when you are falling to sleep or waking, perhaps in dreams, perhaps in a vision - like I had, or in some other manner. On occasion God chooses something less subtle, like a burning bush that speaks but it not consumed by flames."

He paused trying to be more gentle than before as he sensed her discomfort with matters carnal. "Perhaps he already is? Your - 'girlish infatuation' - might be the door to a relationship that leads to...more." He paused searching for delicate language, "If you were to say be the mother of such a being, male or female, than that person would be extraordinary lucky to have such a good and honorable woman for his or her mother."

Penny had a small, crooked smile on the matter of being unreasonable. Perhaps they weren't clearing the air between them, not yet, but they were at least normalising their working relationship. She had things she wanted to say about their earlier dispute, that might even resolve the matter, but she didn't dare risk it.

She processed the priest's lore on nephilim, finding some clear parallels with Lily's great strength. "Women as well", indeed. She almost laughed at the idea she might have "a special place in God's design", knowing what she did about the changed history. In any case, any possible infatuation was minor matter, easily settled with time and treatment.

'No! I'm afraid that child would be doubly cursed.' Penny said with sudden vehemence, that shocked even herself. Her stress at trying to deal with Lily and keep her secret, combined with keeping her own, had all spilled out. It was with a pained expression that she explained 'Forgive me. It has been allowed to me to know something of such things, and please trust me that it would be a curse as well.' Lily had to know the truth, and Simon too as he was courting her. Penny dearly wanted to tell all, and it was hurting her to keep it inside and so hurt them and kept them ignorant. Penny buried her face in her hands, knuckles pressed into her brow. 'I have too many secrets! Secrets I must keep, as ordered by the highest authorities, for the good of others, though it hurts them sorely. And they eat away at me inside. How can I keep looking into their faces as they ask for help, and say and do nothing?'
This message was last edited by the player at 02:15, Tue 15 Sept 2015.

Simon was taken aback by her reaction to his attempt at compliment. "Cursed?"



He paused, not really knowing exactly what to say to this. "Penny, what do you meant cursed?" Then he said with confidence and authority, "There is no curse Satan or his minions can place that God cannot overcome, of this I have absolute confidence."



It hurt him to see anyone in such pain, but Penny was a friend if one he shared a somewhat strained relationship with. He really could speak to this as well. He was very gentle in saying what came next, "Penny, the confession is sealed. I hold more secrets than I can count. I am bound by vow to keep them. Anything you say to me here I must keep in confidence. If unburdening yourself will help, please do. No power in heaven would hold you to account for a confession, that is the most wonderful thing about it - it is sanctioned by God."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:20, Mon 14 Sept 2015.

'That, I fear, is where the problem arises.' Penny muttered despairingly. After all, it was certain forces in Heaven that threatened the nephilim, and revealing the truth in confession could risk Lily's identity. She held up a hand to forestall further questions. 'Please, do not ask, it is not for me to say. I– I will ask Castiel to explain it to you.' Penny fell silent, clasping her hands in prayer, but not sure what she could say. Her hands quivered, faith was wavering; was Heaven so fractious that rogue angels could threaten good folk like Lily for their bloodline?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:08, Tue 15 Sept 2015.

ooc: You guys keep going, no rush at all! It's quite nice to see the conversation running. Let me know if/when you want to summon Cas, if it is going to be done in private or if you will gather the others too and please do take your time, there is no need to hurry :)

Simon simply stopped talking when Penny began to pray. It would be rude of him not to stop at that point.

For now, Penny found only silence. Sighing, she released her hands. Perhaps later, with peace and quiet in her mind. Though she'd been reluctant at the idea of confession, she found this moment to offload her concerns and fears satisfying, or cathartic, as the priest had suggested. It was a necessary thing. After all, very soon, she could be going to the very Gates of Hells – she could be going home. She did not wish to bring baggage. But there was still the proverbial elephant in the room between them.


OOC: Actually, I'll let Simon direct the conversation next. Or would you like us to have another go at resolving Penny and Simon's earlier dispute? With Artemis's permission, of course. I think I have a better lead-in for that now.

Simon waited until her prayers had ended. He could see she felt some better, which met with his approval. When she was done there seemed still unresolved business. "If you can call on the Messenger, I would very much like to speak with him."

Simon has forgiven Penny and asked for forgiveness in return. I have as well forgiven you and have asked for your forgiveness. I don't hold grudges. If it would make you feel better I welcome the conversation.

'Yes, of course.' Penny said, rising out of the confessional. She looked back to Simon, wondering what, if anything, she should say to prepare him. What could she possibly say? She figured she had already mentioned the key points of Castiel's manner. For the rest, she would let the priest encounter the angel with no further preconception. She should not spoil the divine experience. 'Castiel!' she shouted to the rafters of the chapel, then added, in deference to Father Simon, 'In the name of God and Christ the Savior, we call upon the angel Castiel for guidance!'


OOC: And I forgive you too; I'm not a grudge-bearing person either. We'll leave it until after then.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:20, Wed 16 Sept 2015.

It takes several moments and for a minute you feel somewhat foolish but at last there is the soft fluttering sound you've grown accustomed to and you both turn to see a dark haired man in a white button up shirt, slacks and a light brown coat of strange design behind you. He is handsome, tired looking and to Simon's surprise, quite human looking though there is no denying the otherworldly manner of his arrival.

He glances around a fraction of a second and takes in Simon's presence as well with a slight look of approval. Nodding a polite greeting to the priest he turns to Penny, quick to business. Have you found Kate? What news is there?


(ooc: Here's a link Simon so you know what he looks like, don't bother reading up on him as it is crazy extensive, you can just scroll through the pics a bit if you like-http://www.supernaturalwiki.co...ex.php?title=Castiel)

Simon stood when he heard the strange noise and saw the Messenger. He was wide eyed, like a child who having believed in Santa all his life is finally able to witness him in the flesh. Simon is at a loss for words. He moves a bit closer, trying to get a good look at the Messenger. He looked, well, human. Where were the wings? Where was the halo?

Simon edged around to try and get a look at the Messenger's back, hoping to find feathers. Finding none his look changed. As if Santa had no reindeer, Simon looked disappointed to a point. He looked at Penny in confusion, as if to say "Is that all?"

Simon went around front and looked into the Messenger's eyes. There he saw what he expected and his face brightened. OF COURSE! he thought, many references to Angels moving in disguise. that must be it. He had so many questions, so many things he had simply taken on faith but now, with an actual messenger. He seemed tired, though. Do Angels get tired? Do they sleep? Do they dream? Simon knew for a fact Angels ate manna a flaky bread like substance.

What he really wanted was to touch the Messenger, but it seemed rude somehow. He was afraid even try and shake hands. He turned back to Penny with the childlike awe he had at first. Then he realized he needed to get out of the way and let them speak. His head dropped, "My apologies." He stepped to the side.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:10, Wed 16 Sept 2015.

Angels flew in the blink of an eye, Penny had noticed, and as before she tried to keep her eyes wide open to try to catch Castiel mid-flight. Was that rude, or presumptuous of the divine? Or she should she be as God made her, observant and curious? Regardless, Castiel spoiled her efforts by appearing right behind her. Penny turned, smiling and looking warmly upon the angel. This was their first encounter in which she was not surprised, disbelieving, in fear, or suffering the dignity of being visited in the shower, and since speaking with Simon she'd settled her thoughts on how to view the angel. She found his presence reassuring, her faith renewed. 'Mister Castiel, good morning. I hope Heaven is going well. This is Father Simon Cole, he was quite anxious to make your acquaintance. Simon, this is Castiel, an angel of the Lord.' Penny smoothly handled formally introductions, though the etiquette books had surely not considered meeting angels. Perhaps their roles had reversed in this.

Noticed that Simon seemed a bit lost, even disappointed, Penny nodded to him with a small smile she hoped was reassuring. Where Simon might see an ordinary man, Penny's keen observant eyes saw a different kind of angelic perfection: there was no dirt on his shoes, no dust on his rumpled coat, subtly and certainly unreal. He was an ordinary man, who might have stepped out of a picture or a dream.

Introductions over, Penny moved to business. 'We have a lead on Kate's location; Emma Bently cast a spell for us – Dartmoor, England, the spring of 1863. We plan to travel there by magic soon. We know your eyes can pierce the veil of time – can you tell us what we might be walking into, what Belial intends in the past? What we should avoid? I fear there may be a connection to my birth or infancy.' Castiel surely already knew the Darkmoor connection, everybody else did.

Castiel turns to Simon at the introduction and extends a handshake which if taken is firm and feels disappointingly like human flesh. You note he has a deep almost gravely voice and his face is very serious though not unkind. Nice to meet you Father. he nods politely then turns to Penny. 1863? he frowns. I confess there are still many things hidden from me. Belial is no fool, he will not lay his plans out to see easily. I think it best I go with you. He's already altered the timeline far too much, if he tries to interfere with you then there's no telling what else may change and no doubt for the worse. I have no idea why Kate would be there. He needs her for his key I assume, I warned you about the darkness inside her. I couldn't read it yet but there's something familiar about it. I'm sure I will work it out. He looks tired but then there's no telling what he's been up to on the other side of time. When do we leave? I assume you are taking Lily with you? You will probably need her. He glances at Father Simon uncertainly, no doubt unsure how much to reveal.

Penny nodded grimly to Castiel's response. Supposedly, her own survival now depended on Belial's interference, and that was a loathsome thing to be thankful for. 'Emma Bently believes it is the Blaeden and Darkmoor bloodlines combined that will form the key. Kate must carry one or the other, or both.' she informed Castiel coldly, not certain how much to say on that topic with Father Simon present.

'Soon. Miss Green is making the preparations.' Penny cocked her head at Simon at the matter of Lily. 'I believe he should know.'

Simon was nearly in tears at the opportunity to shake the hand of a Messenger. It mattered little that the hand felt human to Simon. He was literally speechless for several seconds. He said, "It is my distinct pleasure to make your acquaintance. Lilly and I discussed how to address you and we came to the conclusion that it is your choice not ours. How does one address an Angel respectfully?"

After that he and Penny had to discuss things. He understood that there were things being kept from him. He did not understand, but like most things he accepted it without needing understanding.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:58, Thu 17 Sept 2015.

That makes sense he nods at Penny's theory of bloodlines. I sense a similar darkness in you though it was more concentrated in Kate. That is not to say I think either of you of evil intent of course, only that your bloodlines are...significant.

It takes Cas a moment to realize what Penny means and then he frowns in thought a moment later distracted by Simon's question. I will admit it is pleasant to be so respected Father. My current company in the future does not always remember my kind's place in things and though I cherish their friendship it is a bit...informal. I've grown accustomed to it and don't mind of course but it is nice to meet a human who acts with admiration for once. You may call me Castiel or simply Cas, others often do. He pauses then, glancing at Penny again. As for your request Penny, I normally would object but I suppose he is in more danger from her identity than anyone else. I trust you will be secretive on this matter? he looks at Simon for confirmation and upon receiving it will nod. Very well. The woman you know as Lily is in fact only half woman. She is a Nephilim, her father is an angel. He's actually a very good friend of mine and has taken it upon me to watch her from afar. What is not commonly known is that the creation of Nephilim has been long forbidden. The punishment is so severe that only a handful of Angels have dared to disobey. Lily is the consequence of such rebellion though my friend never intended things to go as far as he did when he fell in love with her mother. In order to protect her he pushed away her divine half, buried it within her mind and blocked her access to her abilities except in times of great passion or danger so she would be able to protect herself. If her existence is discovered she will be put in great danger, for this reason your silence is required.

Simon understood most of it, but there were parts he did not. "I do not believe God would order Lily's death. Please explain this in greater detail to me."

Castiel sighs and considers how best to continue. It's not that simple. You see, God has not been in heaven for some time, or at least has not revealed himself to us. Most of us think it is a test for us angels, to see if our faith is strong enough to make the right decisions on our own. There have been some disagreements over how to rule things in his absence and not all of the decrees are in keeping with what he would want unfortunately. It is a bit chaotic at the moment. I do not think he would order Lily's death either. In fact I mean to protect her as best I can, though she is stronger than I am when she's in her full strength.

Simon looked askance at Castiel, for the first time wondering if perhaps this was some kind of trick. "So God does not reveal himself to you and you take this as a test of faith. I understand that. I understand your protecting Lily. I can even perhaps understand chaos in Heaven without God's Voice to guide it. What I still do not understand is the secrecy, apparently from Lily herself. I am willing to accept your decree of silence if I understand it fully."

He looked down in sadness, "If it means protecting her I will not marry her. I do not think I could keep such a things secret from someone I marry."

Looking in sympathy and dismay to Simon, Penny interjected in support of Lily and her bond with the priest. 'Yes, not knowing the truth, her fear, and the ghastly consequences of the nephilim's actions when she blacks out, are all tearing poor Lily apart. Her emotional state makes the emergence of the nephilim more likely. Sooner or later, she shall work it out on her own, or someone unaware of her true nature will mention something, and that will expose her. She must know – something!' Penny pressed Castiel. 'A lie, a half-truth, whatever you think best, but she needs some information and reassurance. I can only go so far teaching her control and acceptance.'

Penny faced Simon with a serious, imploring look. 'Please, I urge you to reconsider, Simon. I fear Lily could not bear to have you flee her over this.'

Simon was greatly torn by what he had learned. "I cannot lie to someone, especially someone I am married to, Penny." He found himself sitting for fear of falling. "I do not know what to do."

Penny guided Simon into a pew. 'This was the secret I could not bear, because I must always reveal the truth. But for you I fear it will be far more difficult.' she noted sympathetically. There seemed no easy or good answers to the issue. 'Lily's other half herself has demanded we keep this secret from her human half. We must respect her wishes, as contradictory as they are. But her human half needs peace of mind.' She looked to the angel for an answer.

Simon nodded, "I understand why you seemed so heavy hearted and why you did not tell me. Honestly..." he stopped himself, "...no it is better that I know. What exactly are we not allowed to tell her, specifically? Perhaps we can craft something that tells her enough to ease her mind without giving away anything important?"

'She has demanded we tell her nothing about her true nature, and her actions during her blackouts. She has been threatening too, even at my small hints. Perhaps full knowledge will unite the two halves of her mind and expose her to her enemies?' Penny mused, looking to Castiel for confirmation. To Simon, she described 'She is a fierce-tempered and powerful woman, more so than Lily herself, but her manner is ruthless and cold as steel. The humanity is with the Lily we know. Nevertheless, she does act with goodness in her heart, I believe. You should speak with her – you are, after all, courting two women. I think we may excuse that in this instance.' she added with a tight smile at the irony.

Penny recalled what Lily's nephilim half had said when they'd first met 'She said the agents she killed were demons in disguise. The nephilim must have been aware of the demonic infiltration long before the rest of us. Telling her this will reassure her somewhat.'

'As for the rest... There are legends of warriors who enter black-outs and battle frenzies – the Viking berserker, the Irish ríastrad. I theorised this at first. Something similar may work, but I am not familiar with native legends. Or perhaps she needs something kinder and closer to the truth: an angelic blessing, a trance-like state to spare her?' Penny hated concocting a lie to keep Lily in the dark, it seemed crueller than the truth.

Simon laughed a little at Penny's ironic comments. "Two women, one body. Heaven help me."

Penny then went into some suggestions for half truths they might tell. After a moment he snapped his fingers, "Wendigo hunters. That is the Native American equivalent. In order to battle the demon inside the person a Wendigo hunter enters a 'sleepless trance' one that shields their minds from its influence. This is actually very close to the truth, skirting the facts need be skirted, and gives Lily peace of mind."

He looked to Castiel, "Can we get away with this?"

http://www.unexplainable.net/s...and-jack-fiddler.php

ooc; Wow, that's really interesting stuff!

Cas listens to the exchange silently, until now, his face sober as he thinks on the situation. That may well work for the time being though I'm sure it is a temporary solution at best. To be honest the only one who can fix this situation is her father. It was he who bound her angelic half and he who could reason with it, perhaps even rejoin it. You can try to tell Lily but her nephilim side is always listening and as soon as she gets suspicious she will take control and Lily will not be able to hear a word you say. What's worse, the nephilim may start to consider you an enemy, she is desperate to keep her identity secret. Summoning her father is risky as he has his own enemies he flees, but it would work. You would have to find her mother though, she's the only one he will come to, or Lily of course but then her Nephilim side would grow suspicious if you involved Lily in any of this.

Simon nodded, "For now I will take a temporary solution. When/if we find Lily's mother we can work this all out. In the mien time we have work in the past."

He sensed something was off in Penny still. "Penny, you seem to still need to discuss something. If you wish, now is the best time, while we can work out what needs working out before we go into the past. I fear once there we shall be limited in our conversations."

'Wendigo hunter?' Penny repeated, intrigued. It sounded like a specialist form of hunter, like Doctor van Helsing and other dedicated vampire hunters of Europe. The Americas had an extensive supernatural menagerie and hunting traditions all of its own, which she would have to learn if she was to stay and work here. She clicked her fingers. 'And didn't Lily slay a wendigo recently? Yes, that's a very plausible story. It should give Lily peace of mind for the time being.' Penny was relieved; that should keep the matter of Lily on hold until after the Belial affair was dealt with.

She was a bit surprised at Simon's query; though she wanted to bury the hatchet with him, actually being at that point filled her with trepidation. 'Uh, yes, of course, I probably should... Castiel, would you like to stay? Or shall we meet up with you in 1863?' She found reassurance and confidence in the angel's good and gentle nature, perhaps enough to settle things with Father Simon.

I will stay if you need me Penny, otherwise I will meet you there. He gives you a questioning look.

Penny nodded to Castiel 'Please stay, then.' She looked around the chapel for some moments, from Castiel to Simon, to Jesus and Mary, to the walls and ceiling, collecting and ordering her thoughts. She really didn't want to have it out again, but if they could resolve their dispute, they shouldn't have to. 'I think I wrote you that note,' she began quietly, 'Because I wanted you to stop me.'

Simon was confused. "I do not understand. I did not get the note until after you left."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:59, Thu 24 Sept 2015.

OOC: Joint post between Penny, Simon, and briefly Castiel, with some responses interleaved.


Penny sat herself on a pew to relax her posture. 'You excused yourself so quickly after that breakfast. I went looking for you, but you'd already left with Mr Browne. I had no choice but to leave a note under your door, hoping you might return in time to find it, or else deal with my suspicions.'

'At the time, I still suspected Miss Green of being an enemy agent, for her mesmeric powers. I suspected the timing of her spell, that Kate would be sent into a trap. So I resolved to accompany her. Of course, I could say nothing while she was present, and had to hide my own thoughts most thoroughly to conceal them from Miss Green's mind. To act on instinct is the only way. As it was, she was not the spy, but rather our demon infiltrators, but there was a trap prepared for Kate nonetheless.'

'And, yes, I confess, to Castiel here, that I desperately wanted to see the future as well. I cannot deny that. And it was reckless; as much as I feel myself to be a level-headed person, recklessness has long been a fault of mine. My motives may be mixed, good and bad, selfish and unselfish. I feel that is quite natural. I am a woman born ahead of my time, the future draws me to it, I feel. With us soon returning to the time of my birth, that may even be the case.'

'So, you see, the contents of my note were genuine and honest. If I did not make it back, I wished my wealth in America to go your charity. I trusted you. But you refused it, sent it back, postmarked barely a day later. All that, hurled back in my teeth across the century. I felt so very betrayed.' Penny revealed, her voice tight with emotion and hands clasped.

'No, I should not have tried to strike you, at least not with a fist. I sincerely apologise for that. The future is a very daring time. And, well, men's clothing has an effect on one.'

That was it. She felt good to get it off her chest. She'd told the full truth, before an angel no less. She hoped Simon could understand, and reveal the source of his own anger, to resolve their dispute. Perhaps it had just been simple misunderstandings and emotions, brewing up in a witch's cauldron into something terrible. 'That is it. Please, tell me your account. Let us clear this up.'



Simon thought for a very long time. The most difficult part was making sure he did not say something that would reignite the turmoil. He broached the subject as tenderly as he knew how. "Have you ever played Dominoes, Penny? Not the card game, the game where you line up the tiles standing and then tip last in line so that it knocks all the others over and eventually they form a pattern?"


'Yes, as a child.' Penny answered on the question of dominoes, wondering where this odd topic was leading.


He nodded, "I am sure you have, The Detective showed it to me to help me visualize patterns being revealed. Keep that image in mind, please."

He went on, adding hand motions as appropriate. "Ancient Hebrews believed history was circular, that it repeated itself over and over without end. Then Christ was born. Of course the Temple was destroyed and the Jewish people scattered. Most Jewish people now await the return of Isaiah, and the cyclic view of history has long since fallen by the wayside. History has a beginning and an ending, and the Bible is kind enough to give us the ending. We do not know the day or the hour, and neither does Satan so he must raise up an Anti-Christ in each generation just in case."

He paused, "May I borrow your note book and pencil, please?" Assuming she allows this he takes it and begins drawing while he speaks. "Now think of time as a river, it has a source, God and an ending, but only The Father knows when this will occur. However, like any river, time can be diverted." He handed her back her pad with two drawing, one was a straight river and the other was a winding slough river. "I believe this second river is the river of time. It flows toward the ending but we humans can divert it, and push it into long slow curves that wind and meander. Satan wants the opposite, he wishes to speed up, to hasten the end of days because regardless of God's power he believes he will prevail and so do his followers. What we are caught up in right now is a war among Satan's generals, a via for Satan's attentions and favor because they all believe they will win and whomever has Satan's favor will have a greater share of the spoils."



She passed over the notebook and pencil, listening curiously to Simon's Christian view of time and history. She might have debated it further with what science had uncovered and her own experiences, but now was not the time for a discussion of science, philosophy, and faith, a discussion fraught with the potential for fresh argument.


He looked distant for a moment, "When you left, you crossed a bridge between the curving flow of time and in essence it is possible that you hastened the End of Days. This was bad, for me as I thought you callus to the plight of those in the gulf between here and there." He looked carefully at her, "I do not believe that now. Regardless, had you not left Lily and I would not have been able to connect and I would likely still be...pining...for you without hope of return on my affections." He smiled so that she understood he was not angry about this either. "Your attempt at punching me, while a bit aggressive, was within your temperament and it is that, your personality that I felt most compelling. Certainly I felt a carnal attraction for you and when I used the term mate it was an attempt on my part to soften the gender issues of marriage which you seem to have. Seem I say because I cannot know your mind unless you speak it. It was indeed your reaction to my revelation that I was infatuated with you that hurt more than your attempted attack or even your leaving for the future. You dismissed me as if I were beneath you."

He held up a hand, knowing she would want to respond but wanting to finish his point first, "It was an immediate reaction, visceral, to your immediate reaction. I did not feel we could mend fences at that point because too much hurt had passed between us. It was Lily who gently reminded me that to err is human. I am glad that you reached out with a gift," a look passed across his face as if he had just been reminded of something important, "and I am glad that you and I have been able to get to this point, where a grave has been dug for our hatchet. Now all that remains is to toss it in and cover it over." He extended his hand as if this small gesture could do that very thing.


She took back the notepad, staring at the sketch as Simon went on, growing uncomfortable and flushed with embarrassment as Simon professed again his former feelings for her. When he finished, she remained quiet for some time, turning over her thoughts and considering her response. She spoke at last, her words cool and measured. 'Everyone says more than they intend in a heated moment, and extremes of emotion provoke extremes of view. My words were borne of anger, though I stand by them in their context... Romantic interests make me uncomfortable. I never knew my mother, so I have had no one to guide me as a woman. I have never been a débutante; I have little knowledge or experience in courtship. I have heard conservative views from men that have made me wary and keen to maintain my independence. I have faced monsters that prey on women— my experiences have made me fearful... And, in any case, the life of a hunter, with its secrecy and danger, makes it quite difficult to pursue any romantic relationship. Yours was the first expression of interest I have received that I consider genuine and of honest motivation, and in my inexperience I was utterly shocked. Perhaps in my anger that turned to worse feelings... But, please, do not think me unable to return affection – not even yours. I am as able as anyone, and I am as whole a woman as any.' She looked up to Simon, blue eyes saddened by lost possibility, saying 'I believe I could have been open to the possibility, before. Now we shall not know what could have been.'

She stretched out her arms, feeling so wearied by these admissions and intense feelings kept restrained. 'As for the river of time, it is not for me to know God's plan. I feel I can only endeavour to preserve and improve my own small section of it. That may be all God intends us to do... Regardless, my leaving was not where the interference arose. It was when Belial lured Kate Piper back in time. With her able assistance, we were victorious against the Bentlys and their minions, and Emma was brutally punished for her disobedience.' Penny looked up to Castiel, her face tight with feeling. 'But Castiel informed me in 2013 that, without Kate, the fight should have gone much worse against us, that both Ian Shaw and myself would have been slain.' she revealed, her words cold and mournful for her lost, other self. 'He assured me it is true. Belial's wicked plans for me would have been ruined, and Emma Bently would have been free to cover up her crime and enact her plot against him.'

'In hindsight, I should always regret flipping a large dining table, soup tureen, and complete dinner service over the Bentlys.' she added with a dry chuckle.

'So, you see, the lost history is one that depends on my death. I cannot accept that, nor can I accept that God's plan requires that I die, though I assure you I would sacrifice myself to guarantee a greater good. But it is Hell's plans there were upset, not Heaven's. Fortuitously, I believe my leap into the future saved Kate in turn and has helped to undo Belial's schemes and restore the flow of time.'


He nodded, "I think, perhaps, God intended you to go with Kate. I do not know why. I accept it on faith. Something else is going on here, and I have decided that on faith I will accept that."

He smiled at Penny, "I think if I was suppose to stop you I would have gotten your note before you left. So you see, you were suppose to go. I would like for us to both be able to put this behind us and move on. We are allies. I hope we might be friends. In any case I trust you to act according to your conscience and in that vein you will do as God bids you."


Penny placed her hand against Simon's, so each could hold the other as equals. 'Then the hatchet is buried and the matter is settled. I forgive you, Father.  I am glad we could resolve this with clear heads. Now, let us put the worst of this behind us, and keep the best of this with us.'


He let her hand go, grateful for resolving conflict between them. "Remember the dominoes? We you and I, even Castiel I think, are all Dominoes in God's grand design. We cannot know the design until we see it from above, but we can all do our part. I agree that God has other intention for you than to die then. I accept on faith that you will fulfill His plan for you," He leaned in and spoke quietly, even though he was rather certain Castiel could hear him, "and perhaps it is here in this room with you? Don't let another opportunity slip by for fear Penny. Fear is good, it keeps us from making mistakes, but if over wrought it is as wrong as lust or any other base emotion. I implore you to at least be brave as I know you are and take this opportunity I leave you with."

Leaning back he coughed loudly, "Yes well I had better go and be sure that dear Lily is not missing me too badly." He gave formal and polite bow to Penny and a grin and nod to Castiel.


Penny nodded in agreement as Simon suggested it had all been God's plan. She sincerely hoped so. She had a wry smile. 'Dominoes we may be, but I should not want to be toppled over.'

But she blushed as Simon made his suggestion, easily getting the hint this time. 'I was speaking hypothetically,' she reminded him with emphasis on her earlier words, 'And leading into the topic of the nephilim.' Circuitously, she had perhaps evaded the specifics of her personal issue, and dealt out half-truths and hypotheticals, whilst getting the advice she needed and steering the conversation toward the matter of Lily. Oh, she found Castiel handsome, and good and gentle as an angel might be expected. He was a marvellous fancy for many women. But he was also too cool and remote to be a friend, he could not be pictured as a husband or father. And knowing the curse of the nephilim, she could not pass that on. No, it was the devilishly charming bit of rough that was Ian Shaw who intrigued and inflamed a sheltered noblewoman like Penny. But even he did not seem marriageable material. Penny wished affairs of the heart could as free as they were in 2013.

Or perhaps she was just furiously backpedalling and still too shy for that sort of thing today.

'Be careful. Do not give the nephilim a hint that you are aware of Lily's secret, else there will be trouble. Wait until she arises naturally, then speak with her if you can.' she warned Simon, not wanting him to be too carefree with Lily.

Penny looked around the chapel. 'I will stay and pray a while. I have much to think about before we set off.'


Castiel listens to the exchange somewhat awkwardly. Well...that was all quite personal he notes flatly. Perhaps it is best that I meet you in the past after all if there isn't anything else? Perhaps less based on attraction and women's roles in the Victorian era? His question is not sarcastic but genuine and you notice he is amusingly stiff at social interactions though he is polite and kind. The art of conversation is something he hasn't quite learned yet and your personal exchange seems to have thrown him a bit.


'Yes, well, I'd rather not have revealed so much...' Penny answered stiffly. 'But thank you for standing by as a...' Mediator, chaperon? Neutral third-party? The angel hadn't said or done anything, though she felt his calm presence had helped both of them settle their differences with cooler, clearer heads and open hearts. 'A friend.' She touched Castiel's forearm in thanks, lingering a moment in wonderment at earlier admissions. 'Yes, we shall see you, ah, then.'
This message was last edited by the player at 05:55, Mon 28 Sept 2015.

Cas gives a nod and with the sound of flapping wings he is suddenly gone though you know you'll see him soon enough.

ooc: Ok, looks like you guys are about ready to go. Just making sure one last time before you head off to get Kate. When you go back to the others Lily will suggest you get Tattoos from Marcus (a lovely half Chinese man with a full sleeve of tattoos on his left arm). It is a sigil to prevent possession and he recently discovered its uses via tattoo. It is optional of course, an amulet is also a way to do it but if you desire a permanent method of protection it does not take him long. Just choose your location and give me a general fort save to see how well you take it ;P. Let me know if there is anything else before you leave and then we'll get this party started.

After seeing Castiel and Father Simon off, Penny stayed in the chapel for a time, to rest her mind and spirit after the intense discussions and to reflect on her fears and concerns for what would come next. Belial's incursion into her own past could only mean the most personal of threats. What would she find when she stepped into her own past? Penny stayed to make proper confessions, to ask for forgiveness for her actions, those necessary but cruel, and for blessings and strength, praying to God and to Jesus and to the Mother...

...Domnu, the Goddess of the Deep Earth.

For it was onto her belly she would be walking again.


OOC: ;)

I'll move back to the main thread.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Sat 26 Sept 2015.

Penny stirs from her reflections, realising she is not alone. From her seat on the pew, she looks up and sees the strangest figure standing beside her, staring up at the effigy of a man nailed to a pair of planks hanging on the wall. How odd it is, not to seem so ghastly. 'Rome! You worship their cruel executions?' she hisses in outrage.

'No. It's not like that. He's... a good and holy man who defied the empire.' Penny finds herself explaining, simplifying a grander tale.

'It seems he was unsuccessful.'

'He and his message lived on.'

'And the Mother?'

'There is an accord.'

The visitor turns: a woman, a warrior, clothed as an ancient Briton, in chequered cloth pants and tunic, a chain vest and leathers, and a long cloak. She carries a tall wooden shield and spear, with a sword sheathed at her hip, a bow and quiver at her back. A gold torque hangs around her neck, a silver spiralling band sits around her biceps. Her hair, bleached with lime, stands almost upright in spikes, like a lion's mane. Woad warpaint is daubed on bare arms and her face, giving her a fierce aspect. And that face... was Penny's own.

Penny is put in mind of the great Queen Boadicea – Boudica – but knows this is wrong. She is another ancient warrior queen, obscure and almost forgotten, more myth than history. One much closer to home. 'Queen Gwendolen!' A legendary queen of Cornwall, as recorded only in Geoffrey of Monmouth's fanciful history, and in family records as an ancient chieftainess of the Dumnonii. Daughter of Corineus the giant-slayer. Penny finds herself accepting this, she can hardly deny it. 'How did you come here? You lived thousands of years ago!' she exclaims.

The queen is amused. 'Oh, has it been that long already? I only went to sleep in my tent a few hours ago.'

Penny observes reality, and finds it false, for it is whatever she wishes it to be. Gwendolen's presence is also a superb indicator that things are not exactly real. 'Then we are both dreaming.'

And indeed they are, for now they stand in a smoky tent of cloth and skins, with a low-burning brazier, a bed of furs, and weapons at the ready. There are skulls and strange carvings. Outside, cold winds and black dogs howl. 'Time travel has always been possible in dreams.'

Penny laughs, it is the only response to the bizarreness of this. 'Ha! It seems I'm having my very own Celtic revival.'

'Tell me why I am here, daughter.' Gwendolen asks, not impatient.

Penny observes and deduces, even here. 'You have prayed to the gods, you are arrayed for battle, your weapons and armour are ready – I thought you would go into battle naked.'

Gwendolen laughs. 'Naked, in battle? That's stupid. You've been listening to the bards and the Romans.' Penny is chastised, but the queen adds with a grin 'Only in fertility rites.'

Penny blushes, but goes on. The facts rise easily to her mind. Of course, she is dreaming. 'You worry about the future. Whether you and your son will survive, whether your line will carry on.'

'You are correct. Tomorrow, I go into battle, to win back rule of the Britons and slay my unfaithful husband and his German witch.'

'And so you came to me, your last daughter, for hope.' Gwendolen nods, smiling proudly. 'Tell me why I am here.'

'You are preparing for battle, though I don't think much of your armour. But better than being naked, I think. You have prayed to the gods, you have made your peace. You are receiving your war markings.' They are in the tattoo artist's parlour. Penny notices now the pain in her back. How does she sleep through that? Ah, yes. 'Yet if I am here, then you worry for the past. Where you came from, the quality of your ancestors. The curse.'

Penny nods, her face grim. 'I don't want to go home.' she admits in shame. 'I fought so hard to get away.'

Gwendolen embraces her in strong arms, with thews like oak. 'Oh, you are so far from the moors of your home, daughter. And now you return. But you can never truly leave home, and home can never leave you, not while it lays in your heart.' she says, consoling as Penny sobs in her shoulder. 'We cannot choose family – fathers, husbands, ancestors, who may love us or fail us, and we can't not love them despite what they do. But we can choose among them, daughter. And there are so many more across the shadows of time. And you can choose your friends and allies. Take strength from the good, walk away from the bad. Put an arrow in that which truly offends you.' She parts, gripping Penny's shoulders. 'Find your mother. Rescue Kate. Give me a future, daughter.'

'I wish you victory, grandmother. Give me a past.'

Penny wakes.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:40, Mon 28 Sept 2015.

Simon walked, having offered his arm to Penny. "Adult baptism is somewhat uncommon in the Catholic faith and its progeny. Ana-Baptists practice it once a child reaches the age at which it can be held responsible for its actions. Essentially adult baptism normally represents conversion to the faith, but you are a rather unique case I think."

He was still attempting to grasp the minutia of time travel. "So you must forgive me as this is something of an anomaly. You already practice the faith. Your baptism, if I am correct, is more along the lines of a personal connection to God. Normally - in the conversion model - the Priest asks for a public confession of faith. This will not be a public event but if you will permit I will follow the script as it were. Using the same ceremony will impart a sense of continuity and being time honored tradition and all that."

He paused for her response before continuing. "For you, this will be about connecting you to God. You will be following in Christ's footsteps, he was baptized and so you will be as well." He chuckled, "I would not expect the Heavens to open up and God's voice to be heard audibly." He sobered quickly, "Though for you I expect you will feel a renewed sense of God's presence in your life. What questions do you have for me?"

Penny declined to take Simon's arm, though not rudely. She was just too distracted by the day's events, too disturbed by them, to relax sufficiently. 'Yes, of course. Please do what you believe is appropriate... My request was a spur-of-the-moment matter, and I am not certain of exactly what is required in this case. But, after discovering Belial's tampering in my heritage, the kidnapping of my infant self,' Penny listed, still pained, 'I wanted to confirm my faith, and the purity and safety of my soul, in this life and the next.' Death had been on her mind a lot, today.

'No, I do not expect to hear angelic trumpets either,' she agreed wryly, 'But I do hope I shall feel God's presence. I fear... I fear I do not have the same sense of faith as others do, much less yourself. You see, in this place, I have grown up with the magical world very close by. I was babysat by a ghost, I played with pixies and the spirits of the moor, and apparently now I was nursed by fiends. As an adult, I have seen so much more. I have talked freely with demons and angels, fought alongside them. It is all as natural to me as this moor. I have faith, but I fear I cannot believe. Instead, I can only know.' Penny closed her reddened eyes, saddened. 'Perhaps I am too scrutinising, too inquisitive. I do not have what you and others have. I may never know the wonder and mystery of the divine. I can only keep trying to seek it.'

'But I have no questions. Please just tell me know what to do.'

They'd come to the old church of St. Petroc's, a sturdy mass of grey stone, built of large granite blocks and partially fortified. It looked able to withstand an army, and looked like it had. Gravestones stood scattered around it, in no particular order; subsidence had caused some to stand lopsided amidst the long grass.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Petroc
http://www.devonhistoricchurch...pford-spiney-st-mary

Simon smiled at her last statement, "If there is one thing I can guarantee, it is that if you seek God earnestly, you will find Him."

Entering the Church Simon said, "I will speak with the man in charge here. You will likely want to change into a baptism gown, so as not to harm your clothing. I will say some words, ask if you accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior. Then I will place a cloth over your mouth and nose, giving you the opportunity to take a breath. I will guide you to lean back and submerse yourself, and once fully submersed I will draw you back up and say a little more. It is a very simple ceremony, but I find the simplest are usually the most profound. Again do you have any questions?"

Anglicanism allowed for submersion, immersion, affusion (pouring), or sprinkling, though Penny had expected one of the latter two cases. 'The full dunking, is it? Very well.' Penny agreed, growing amused and light-hearted again as she looked forward to the rite. The sense of cleansing and regeneration involved in baptism would surely life her spirits after the dreadful encounter with Belial.

Entering the churchyard, they found the verger, a layperson who assisted the vicar, maintained the church and yard, and, in this case, dug the graves. The dour fellow greeted them with few words and directed them to Vicar Worsnop.

"Old Vicar Worsnop" was not quite as old as Penny remembered, when he'd seemed old enough to almost be part of the landscape. A portly old man with craggy face and beady eyes made beadier by his glasses, with a put-on temper over his good nature, he had the air of a kindly old pig, wearing the black and dog-collar of a priest. Penny smiled to see him, remembering fondly the times when he'd give her some guidance and "edification" before chasing her out of the church. He spoke in a thick Devon accent, though, and Penny at times had to translate for her friends, though her own accent grew the stronger in the process, with stronger 'r's and 's's more like 'z's, with the others might recognise as pirate speak. She'd learned the rustic dialect to fit in as a maiden, and for fun.

'Good evenin' to yers. Yer must be emmets in these parts, fer I've not seen yer likes before. Where yer gwain?'

'Uz be gwain to Plymouth, though not dreckly. I's name is Penny Black. I used to live in these parts as a young maid'n, down Coombe Tracey way. But after checkin' grammer's records, I'm affeard I was not baptised as a cheald. I was hopin' to get it done proper in thikky old parish.'

Worsnop looked sympathetically at Penny. 'A chrisemore, are yer? That baint right. Alright, us'll get a proper upsettin' for yer. But I see yer brought yer own priest, is it? Think I wasn't up to thikky task?' he began in confected indignation, peering at Simon, puffing up his barrel-like chest.

'Father Simon, from America. A friend. I's sure yers can work it out between yers.' Penny teased, and added 'And this iz Kate, I's sister. Half. She's also from America.'

'Well, let's stop commercin' outside. Gwain on inside thikky church, let's get this upsettin' done before it gets dimmet.' he shooed them inside the old church, but commented quietly to Penny with a curious, knowing air. 'But I's been vicarin' this parish many yers, and can't say as I've heard of yer before.'

'Oh, yer will, Vicar Worsnop, yer will.' Penny answered with a smile and quickly moved on inside.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:53, Sat 30 Jan 2016.

Simon takes a few moments with the local Parish Priest. Someone would come to take Penny to change, and Simon went to change himself while the pool is filled.

((Giving Penny a chance to post stuff about changing if she chooses))

The interior of the old medieval church was small and plain, even grim and austere, but with familiarity it had a rustic charm that made it comforting. Everything appeared to have been locally made over generations, making it all integrally a part of and a product of the community came together and worshipped here. Wooden pews worn smooth by centuries of farmer's bottoms, and sturdy stone pillars under a high arched roof led down to the pulpit, altar, and font. There was a single stained-glass window, depicting Saint Petroc taming wolves, which, standing on hind legs, looked like they could well have been werewolves. Reliquary, sacristy, and sarcophagus were tucked about here and there.

Of course, it wasn't every church that a carving of the Devil on the back wall. The ugly face was twisted and glowering as if trapped in the stone. It seemed a reminder of the evil that lurked behind everyone.

The verger showed Penny to the sacristy, though she knew the way, and left her to change while he filled the font and Worsnop fussed over blessing it.



OOC: I'll just post a description.
http://celticsaints.org/2010/0604a.html

OOC: Sorry, did you need me to provide more or move it on? I'll work on it tomorrow if I get a chance. (Babysitting...)

My fault. I had to have a Lumpectomy yesterday and it wiped me out.

Simon changed into a robe similar to the one Penny would be wearing, though his had a cross stitched into either side. He stood waist deep in the baptismal pool waiting for Penny patiently. His hands are folded in front of his body, but when she arrives he offers his hand and whispers "It is deeper than it seems and the top step is further down. Take my hand until your on the step and I will release it."

OOC: No worries, that sounds nasty.


Worsnop grumped and grumbled over the filling of the whole stone-walled pool, eventually admitting to Simon 'Don't mind the maunderin' of an old gatfer, young man, tis just uz normally do thikky pourin' in this parish. That's why uz call it the upsettin'! It upsets the chealds! Uz 'ave got ourselves enough water around here, anywhow! ...Ah, but yer must think uz be as maze as a brush!' he cackled merrily.

'Ogden! Get thikky bed ale! Ah, now ere's our bowerly maid'n. Alright, yer can lead uz through the baptisin'. Show uz how ee's done.' Ogden poured the good christening ale and served it around.

Penny emerged from the sacristy wearing a long baptism robe, probably the first time the dusty, musty adult-sized robe had been used in decades, yet it remained a pure snow-white. She gazed at Kate, Simon, Worsnop and the others in attendance, somewhat amazed at the whole experience, quivery with anticipation. She took Simon's hand now, and stepped up and into the pool, shivering at the cold touch of the water.

After a moment to acclimatise, she produced a pound coin and placed it gently into the water, watching it sink to the bottom and rest on the strange spiralling designs carved into the stone. It wasn't a wish, but an offering, a memory of an ancient rite when the people of this land sank treasures into the bogs, until Saint Petroc came. Now it was given to the church rather than the goddess, though perhaps the distinction did not matter. Worsnop nodded approvingly to Penny, and she nodded to Simon to continue.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:57, Fri 05 Feb 2016.

Simon nodded, "It is the same with us, we use an aspergillum under most circumstances. This is unique, not only does Penelope need to be baptized as an adult, she needs a greater connection to God. I hope that giving her the full immersion will help her in the second sense."

With Penny in and after she had dropped her name sake into the water, Simon began. "Baptism was not begun by the early church, but rather it was a Jewish custom. Ceremonial washing and purification were practiced as a regular part of Jewish life. Christ upended this, going to his cousin John to be baptized in order to fulfill Gods will.

Likewise today we gather so that our sister Penelope might follow in Christ's footsteps. Baptism is not the key to changing a person, but rather the answer to a call to continue a change that has already begun in us. We therefor welcome our sister Penelope into the body of the faith."

While speaking he arranged her so that she stood with her side to him facing her mother. He smiled, "Penny, do you now profess your faith publicly, that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior?"

Father Worsnop said his own words after Simon, which descended into nigh-incomprehensibility.

Penny remained quiet all through the ceremony, outwardly still but inwardly churning with all kinds of thoughts and anxieties. Hope mingled with fear within her; hope that this would protect her, purify her, welcome her to Heaven and save her from Belial's foul clutches. Yet she feared that God would reject her as Belial's creature, as some upstart pagan, and bar her from Heaven. Could she truly escape the trap Belial had laid about her? Could she truly live in two worlds, between earth and water and sky on the moor, one foot in the pagan and in past, one hand with Christ and in the future?

For hope and strength and faith, Penny looked to Kate, her newfound mother; to Worsnop, whom she now realised to be as close to a father figure as any man she'd known; to Simon, a sparring partner and a friend. She looked to the stain-glass portrait of Saint Petroc taming the wolves – a metaphor, she knew, for converting the Devonians. And through it she saw the moor, fancying she spied the spirit of Queen Gwendolen riding atop the hellhound Juliet, hailing her. Penny had faith, faith in people, in herself and in friends, in respect and goodness and rationality, that things would improve. God, Jesus, and the Mother embodied that for her. 'I do.' Penny answered, losing her voice so it came out as almost a mouse-like squeak. She tried again, 'I do. And I always have done.' she reaffirmed.

Simon nodded, "Then it is my great pleasure to baptize thee, Penelope Ann Veracity Darkmoor. Buried to your old life..." He took a small handkerchief, making sure she had taken a breath and then used it to pinch her nose.

((Historical Note: Most people around the world cannot swim. In the "western world" we have the YMCA, whose primary mission is to teach people to do that. Since Simon does not know if Penny swims, he is assuming not and is pinching her nose - not hard - to keep her from breathing in water.))

Simon eased her backwards into the water, and as soon as she was totally submerged he pulled her right back out, "...and raised again to live in your new life." He could not resist giving her a gentle hug. "Thank you for letting me be a part of this."

Kate watched on in silence fully supportive of Penny's baptism. It was a strange feeling watching the woman that was her daughter and Kate enjoyed the chance to stand back and observe from afar.

At Penny's full and family name, Worsnop raised a bushy eyebrow in intrigue, perhaps wondering if she was an illegitimate daughter of the local aristocracy. It would handily explain why she'd not been baptised in this parish. But the old priest knew better than to probe, and he let it go. He would know better, soon, when another Penelope Ann Verity Darkmoor returned, a small child who would grow into a strangely familiar maiden.

Penny did not know how to swim, but going to the seaside was a popular English pastime, and Penny could at least hold her breath underwater and try to stay afloat. Still, she allowed Simon to hold her nose and lean her back into the water.

Suddenly she was plunged into the holy water drawn from the local stream that ran over the moors, put there by the heavy rain last night. It was all part of Creation. She felt so calm and curious, her senses enhanced yet cut off from the mundane world and connected instead to something deeper and vaster. Underwater, sounds were weirdly distorted, muffled and muted, and they echoed in the small stone cistern. From above, she thought she heard voices, of her friends or of angels, calling her upwards. She touched a hand to the side of the cistern, feeling the rough granite, feeling a faint vibration beyond, like the heartbeat of the world. It was like she was in a womb in Mother Earth, waiting to be reborn into the arms of the Father.

And then she was, drawn back up into light and air and sound. In the mundane world, she gasped like a fish and shivered in the cold, Simon's hug providing brief warmth. 'Thank you.' she murmured. She did feel cleansed and refreshed, her faith reaffirmed and accepted by God. Chilled and soaking, stunned by the whole experienced, Penny looked around her friends, seeking out the eyes of her mother Kate. This seemed a new beginning for both of them.