Amelia listens silently. At last she says quietly, Perhaps we can keep each other in check then. I'll not fail again....thank you.

She gives you as much time as you need before getting back to business, though she's extremely subdued and grim sounding as she makes her suggestions. We can take John back to Boston with us if you like. He may have family there who will want him. This poor fellow we should leave. I hate leaving a trail but the authorities will get his body back to those who have claim upon it. We should go see about the children, make sure your new friends did their jobs right. It's going to be a long night she sighs.

ooc: Let me know if you agree with her plans and what you plan to do the rest of the night.

Colin stands after awhile and nods to Amelia. "I would see John laid to rest proper. He supported me and had no need to. He was a good man in a bad profession," Colin comments before agree with the rest of her plan. He also made some effort to clean up and make the professor look respectable, slumping him over the desk that Colin had initially seen him at. He made a cursory effort to throw the gun he was given into the desk to throw off suspension it was his. After all, who intentionally leaves a used weapon at a crime scene? When he was done, he told Amelia and was ready to depart for Boston after checking on the kids.

The wagon ride back is mostly silent. You are able to retrace your steps back to the city where the children were unloaded. You find a few of the men waiting uncertainly, relieved at seeing you at last and surprised at finding John is dead. Only two men have stayed and none of them know where Jake went but they remark he is a self serving sort and you may not have seen the last of him and to watch your back.

The children have been delivered to a hospital where they still are asleep. No one can seem to rouse them though their vitals are strong at least. Amelia does not seem concerned at this and turns to you. Leave that to me. I can fix that in two minutes. She has one of the men guide her to the hospital, having you stay with the wagon and the body just outside of the small town. Ten minutes pass. Twenty. Thirty. After an hour you start to worry considerably. The remaining man with you also looks nervous for his companion. His name is Taylor and for a ruffian he's not too bad. He at least has some odd form of ethics and you trust him a great deal more than you did Jake.

Do you want me to go find out what's keeping them? he asks shakily.

ooc: By the way  you are in a small city about an hour away from Boston. It's just you, the wagon and body and Taylor. If you decide to go yourself then roll a search/spot/gather info. If you decide to stay then roll a listen/spot check.

Colin placed a hand on Taylor's shoulder. "I will take this. I don't know what is keeping her, but if it is what i think, you don't want to be around it. If you start to even think that something is not right, get out of here. You've done more than right by me and I'll see you repaid for it," he says as he moves away. Colin then makes his way towards the hospital. Unsure of what he will encounter, he tries to move as quickly and quietly as possible.

23:55, Today: Colin Browne rolled 35 using 1d20+18.  Move Silently.

23:55, Today: Colin Browne rolled 7 using 1d20+4.  Spot.

You are able to traverse the hospital easily and without detection. It is late, roughly two in the morning, and there aren't many about to notice you. You are able to find the ward with the children easily and to your relief you see they are awake and asking for their parents, to which the overwhelmed nurses are busily trying to take down their information. Other than being frightened, they are well enough. Amelia clearly was able to make it here. It must have been the coming back that detained her somehow.

From what you are able to explore of the hospital, all looks well enough but as you navigate one of the back stairwells you see some rather messy smears of blood against the wall and floor, dripping in a macabre trail that leads up several flights until at last you make it to the roof, though the door seems to be jammed shut from the other side.

ooc: you can either try to roll a strength check to break it down (DC 15; it's makde of wood) or if that doesn't work you can try to find an object to break it (roll a search for that) or you can try to find another way up such as an outdoor fire escape in which case you still roll a search. This is of course provided you want to :)

Colin cursed as he bounced off the door with all the strength of a wet rag. He shimmied the door again to be sure. Satisfied that he was completely blocked by an irritating door. Colin began his search for another way up, including ledges and fire escapes that would let him scale the building.


14:30, Today: Colin Browne rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  Search for a way up.
14:29, Today: Colin Browne rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Str vs Door DC15.

It takes longer than you'd like and you take a few wrong turns but at last you find a fire escape that leads where you want it to. Hopefully you're not too late if that was Amelia's blood...

When you get up to the top you see the roof is mostly empty save for the doorway and two figures across the way. One is prostrate on the ground and though it is too dark to see properly you think it could be Amelia. The other is a man, leaning over her and grumbling something to himself. A large knife winks in the moonlight.

ooc: I rolled a hide for you and you can keep your move silently from before so your stealth is looking pretty good. You can either sneak or go for the blunt route. Should you approach you will discover it is Jake of all people.

Colin rushed Jake immediately, looking to surprise the man before he had a chance to react or take Amelia hostage if she was still alive. Jake had better hoped she was, otherwise he would face the wrath that the demon had not faced. Colin sought to tackle the man and bring him down, pinning him before a real fight could ensue.

OOC:Not sure if you want an attack roll but feel free if required.

ooc: Thanks, I rolled for ya and for once my usual bad luck did not affect you!

Moving quickly, you rush Jake, tackling him to the hard roof floor and startling the life out of him. The knife is dropped in the fray and you are able to grapple with him but it's hard to say how long you can hold him, he's squirming so. In the dim light you can't tell if Amelia is alive or not but you can see she's bleeding heavily from a head wound and has blood on her side too where it's clear she's been stabbed.

I'll kill you! snarls Jake, struggling like a madman. You ruined everything!

ooc: Go ahead and roll an opposed grapple check and/or an actual attack depending on what you'd like to do. You have fought him recently and he looks about as bad as you still so you both don't have a ton left in the tank so to speak.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:38, Fri 15 Sept 2017.

Colin pulled the knife quickly and set after Jake with a will. He said nothing, only grunting with the effort of the attack.

06:38, Today: Colin Browne rolled 5 using 1d6+1d4+1.  Dagger damage.
06:38, Today: Colin Browne rolled 18,5 using 1d20+12,1d20+4.  Primary attack, Secondary attack.

He reacts with a shout of fury as the knife enters, though there is pure fear mingled with the hatred in his eyes. Unfortunately it is not a mortal wound and he responds by holding his side and darting away, full on running away desperately towards the fire escape. I'll be back you bastard! If she isn't dead already I'll track her as long as it takes and skin the flesh off her pretty face! Then I'll kill you next. Slowly! he pants. Even weak as you are it's clear you're in better shape but he is running surprisingly fast.

ooc: Ok, he's full out trying to get away so the usual rules apply as far as fighting. If you have a ranged weapon on you, you can take a pot shot at him, otherwise you'll have to book it after him. Roll a general constitution check if that's the case.

Colin gave Jake one last hard glare before turning to Amelia and kneeling at her side. He tried his best to administer help, but he was not skilled at giving care to others. Colin's anger faded as he realized just how desperate his situation was and cradled Amelia's head for a moment, trying to wake her. "Come on, beautiful. You got plenty of your life ahead. Just stay with me," he said as he picked her up with a bit of effort and rushed as quickly and carefully as he could with her to help in the hospital.

Amelia does not waken but you are able to open the roof door from this side and rush down the stairs to find a very shocked nurse at seeing the state you're both in. She bids you lay her down on a bed and rushes to find a doctor, remarking that you don't look much better yourself.

Soon you are whisked away and Amelia is left in the physician's care, the nurse patching you up herself and demanding to know what happened. Should you tell her she'll insist on putting out a description for Jake with the police, assuring you she will do it herself. She's not a bad looking woman. Under other circumstances you'd be tempted to flirt with her.

You are given a bed for the night while you wait on word of Amelia and as much laudanum as you want for the pains but it is difficult to sleep knowing Jake is still out there. He may not be a match for you physically but he's clearly trouble.

By now it's the middle of the night and all is quiet around you. You have finally drifted off to sleep but the sudden creak of your bedroom door wakens you and your knife is in your hand in an instant. It's only me Amelia whispers, clutching at the door frame in an attempt to keep upright. Are you in any shape to go? The fact that she's proposing you leave is almost laughable. Even in the darkness you can see she looks absolutely terrible; barely able to stand and about as weak as a kitten. Hopefully our horses are still outside the town. I don't want to have to walk back to Boston she adds drily.

Colin simply stared at the ceiling and chuckled. Then it quickly turned into a laugh as he tried to get up, only to have pain silence him. Now that his adrenaline was gone and no danger close, Colin felt all of his cuts, stabs, broken ribs, and bruises. Getting up slowly, he limped his way to Amelia. "Forget the horses, your dressing and stitches would come out anyway. We both need rest. Jake won't get to us, not tonight at least. We both need a week to recover, at least. Let's enjoy the peace for now."

She looks hesitant and frustrated but at last gives a slow nod. Alright...if you think it's safe...I don't know if I'll get much sleep though knowing he's out there. He's crazy Colin. He nearly killed me. I've seen a lot of evil over the years but he's just as bad as any monster she shudders. You realize now that she's afraid of him and that is why she's so eager to leave. How can you be sure he won't come back?

Colin put his arm around her and guided her to the bed. "Because he won't get past me. I'll stay up and stand watch. Get some rest. You are about as strong as a wet kitten right now," he said with a smile as he pulled up a chair. He began to hum a lullaby he remembered from his youth, only stopping to prevent Amelia from getting up or protesting.

She does indeed try to protest but under the circumstances you are more persuasive and you get the feeling that she's more relieved than she lets on, thanking you sincerely, even if she looks guilt ridden. She sleeps deeply and you manage to maintain your watch despite nearly falling asleep on many occasions yourself.

Over the next few days you are both able to regroup thanks to some promises from the hospital staff to keep an eye on things. Amelia also has someone send a message to the man waiting with the wagon and horses and they are brought to the local stables so you can access them when you're well. The man is happy to have been relieved of his charges and you have a feeling you'll never see him again. Amelia also informs you that when she followed via horseback she brought your belongings with you since you both travel light, which means there's no need to backtrack to Boston if you do not wish.

You are both somewhat grim as you recover. The threat of Jake looms in Amelia's mind and you are still reeling over the senseless death of your comrade and how close you came to losing yourself in the process. There's work to do though and a long way to go and at last it is time to depart.

As you ready the wagon and horses, Amelia turns to you. It's going to take us weeks to get to Alexandria and we have to pass through New York anyway to do so. We should stop at headquarters, resupply and debrief them. I've missed my old city anyway. Of course, it will take a week or two just to get that far she sighs. Perhaps train rides are in order after we get to New York, though that limits our maneuverability. We'll have to borrow horses every time we stop. What a bother

ooc: Let me know your plans for the next week and I'll move things along. Also, to save time, roll a listen check for when I do. Thanks!

"I would agree, but we haven't used rail thus far and could get us some much needed time to properly rest while we travel," Colin says as they mull over the plans. He suggests riding a train all the way there, the likelihood of a pursuer dropping off on the railways. "Point is, Jake would have to be on the same train as us or know our destination and timetable. We have time before we need to be in New York or Alexandria. I would take the trains, but detour at two points. We take to New York, but go to Albany first. After New York, we go to Philadelphia. It offsets us a week and those two cities will leave Jake curious as to our real destination."

Amelia nods in agreement. Good idea. The last thing we need is that louse making more trouble for us, though after some of the things he said to me, I'm sure he'll find a way to catch up to us someday she adds quietly. In the meantime we should discuss the logistics of our travel. I suggest privacy as much as possible so we can feel free to discuss our plans without fear of listening ears, not to mention it is infinitely more comfortable. I detest being crammed like a sardine amid  a sea of strangers. IF, however, we choose privacy and comfort over economy, we will have to pose as husband and wife. I will not share private sleeping quarters, even on separate beds as ours will be, without ensuring my reputation is intact. She arches a prim and perfect brow, waiting your response.

ooc: After you've responded just let me know what your plans will be for the next couple of weeks and if you want to see how much you hock the horses and wagon for you can also roll for your haggle. I assume a diplomacy will do.

Colin chuckled and shook his head. "You always go straight to the married angle. You need to get out of the romance serials. This day and age, there are much easier ways to have a man and lady wander about together. More specifically, a traveling lady off to see her aunt in the countryside for the season and her Pink bodyguard is much easier to pass off. Then there are no awkward questions. I look and sound rough enough to be a Pink, and you sure look like a proper lady," he said with a roguish smile. "I'll try to secure some travel and ask around as we go. Midnight riders are common in the country for smuggling and we might be able to hitch a ride in a coach if we agree to smuggle some stuff out of the cities. Earn some extra cash too. If you don't have any strong objections, I will get to work."

Colin made his rounds, greasing palms and securing what he needed to in order to ensure they had as smooth a ride as possible. Should anyone ask, Colin made the pretense that Amelia was running from her abusive husband and her aunt had hired Colin to throw the man off the trail and act as bodyguard. If he was sure about anything, criminals had a code, one that despised men who preyed on women and children. The wounds on them both would see to the evidence. A fake Pinkerton badge he looked for as well, if only to cement his role as body guard. The security and detective agency was notorious for brutality and Colin was just the sort of man to be hired.

OOC: Colin is garbage at haggling, but his streetwise knowledge should be able to get him into the right areas. With Amelia as beat up as she is, it shouldn't be a hard sell to make people think she is escaping a wife beater. No real change to the plan, save Colin is using his criminal knowledge to make the trip more covert.
09:59, Today: Colin Browne rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  Diplomacy.
09:59, Today: Colin Browne rolled 28 using 1d20+11.  Streetwise.

Amelia listens with a dry look. I assure you, romance is the last thought on my mind She pulls on her dove gray gloves with precise, jerky movements, betraying the slightest irritation. Perhaps she is embarrassed. You have the feeling the woman is not used to being teased. I suppose you're right though. No one would believe that we're married looking at the two of us. If you want to tell tales that is fine by me. Just let me know if you need anything.

You are able to procure what you need and make the proper contacts but the seedy men you contact seem wary of you and it is only after Amelia makes an impressively convincing plea that you get your way. Through this means you make half the journey back via coach, taking round about routes to throw off anyone who may be trailing you. It is a long, bumpy journey and though Amelia does not complain she is clearly uncomfortable, being jostled this way and that on the rougher roads. After a week or two of this, it is time to board a train, Amelia paying the fare and acting every inch a woman in charge of her bodyguard. She obviously cares a great deal about her reputation and refers to you as such with frequency. A private car is procured and though it is far and away larger than the coach was or the other poor passengers' cars, it is still cramped, especially at night when you fold down the beds and curl up in an attempt to sleep. For someone short like Amelia it isn't so bad, but your legs cramp up from being tucked all night. New York can't come quick enough.

At long last it does and you quit the train and take the trolley back into the heart of the city. It is late by now and Amelia steps off the trolley and gestures to a row of brownstones several blocks off. We may as well rest before we check in at headquarters. Do you remember how to get there? It's been a while. My house is not far, I can make it on my own if you want to go home. I've no idea where you live but hopefully its still in one piece. We can meet tomorrow at the warehouse at say, ten o'clock? I'm sure there are a few things I'll need to tend to beforehand.

ooc: Where does Colin live again? It's been a couple years since I knew! You can decide if you let her walk home and head off yourself or what have you. Either way you'll need a spot for something so go ahead and roll it when you respond. Thanks! :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:07, Mon 30 Oct 2017.

Colin responded with a simple nod, smile, and a tip of the cap, ready to be off on his own in the city. It had been too long since he walked the busy streets and felt the damp city air. He made his way back to the city proper and to the slum building that had been his home. The flat was above a speak easy that catered to the gambling type, the small apartment little more than a square room with a small bed and sink. The floor had a public shower at the end, though Colin dared not use it. Instead, he washed his face of the grime from the trip and tucked a few dollars in his pocket. With any luck, he could have a few drinks, enjoy some cards, and avoid responsibility for the night.

15:28, Today: Colin Browne rolled 14 using 1d20+4.  Spot check.

You find your place thankfully undisturbed, but then there isn't much to take in the first place. It could definitely use a good airing out though.

Soon you make your way downstairs. Able to enjoy a bit of fun without Amelia's disapproving looks for once. The owner of the establishment, and also your landlord, Garret, sees  you and waves you over. So you are still alive you rascal! Without you buyin all my whiskey I thought for sure I'd go out of business! he laughs. The place is particularly busy that night and it feels especially good to be back among the lively patrons you so often rubbed elbows with. Should you take his offer you find yourself at the bar. He pours you a generous glass of whiskey. First one's on me eh? Where you been all this time? I was thinkin about renting out your place if you didn't get back soon

As he talks you notice a man enter the bar, mostly because he looks so out of place. He's in his early fifties and well preserved. No doubt many women find him handsome, no matter the gray in his hair. He's extremely well dressed and holds himself in such posture that he clearly has money and no doubt power to go along with it. A look of disgust crosses his face as he sits unhappily and gestures for the barmaid to bring him something. Then he sits, surveying the room a while with a sneer. When the barmaid returns with what appears to be brandy, he asks her something and she turns and points toward you. He then appears to be irritated at her for some reason, growling something that makes her go white, then stands up and storms out, his drink untouched.

Colin notices the exchange and finishes his glass with a final slug, his concern melting into a cocky grin. He held out a hand to stop Garret. "A moment, my good man. I will enjoy your whiskey more with a little company," he said with little preamble. Taking no further delay, Colin takes to chatting up the barmaid that had interacted with the man. Slurring his words, really without much effort, Colin dons his roguish smile and gestures to the empty seat next to his. "Penny for your thoughts, love? Some paper bills for a bit of company."

The woman still looks shaken about her recent encounter and gives you a look of surprise that melts into a half-hearted smile. Um...alright. She looks at the doorway again, distracted and almost fearful he might come back. You...don't know that man do you? Did you see? A real upper crust cad if I ever saw one. He asked me about you by name. Colin, isn't it? she blushes suddenly. Sorry, that's presumptuous of me to assume but I saw you talking to Garret and he told me you were spotted back so I figured...I'm so sorry sir. I didn't mean to interfere in your business. I should have told him I didn't know and left him alone It's clear she's quite upset and she slaps the counter for a drink of her own, downing it quick and appearing on the verge of crying.