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."