Simon did not move to stop her. Instead he nudged Lily to follow. "A head to collect? What head? Are we hunting big game now?" His questions were alert and rapid fire but not condescending. Instead he is attempting to play catch up to the situation. Seemingly Penny had accepted his surrender. "Lily mentioned a Messenger? One of the Celestial Host...what an honor. Penny please a moment. If God has seen fit to reveal himself to you in this personal a manner, I am obliged to respect that...and you. I appreciate your being willing to accept my surrender. If you would also accept my apology, I meant you no harm."

He showed her the flag. "It was meant to break the ice." He gave Lily a wink over his shoulder, indicating she had nothing to fret over. "I also believe that God sent me here with the purpose of working with you...along side you...but if you are more comfortable with the arrangement of us working apart I will not argue. I think our own differences must be set aside for the good of humanity, whatever we are embroiled in affects not just us but all around us..." he paused to give Lily another smile, "and those beyond our immediate reach."

He put out his hand, "If the hand of friendship, accept. If not, at least the hand of cordiality. Too much is at stake for you and I to squabble."

Penny stopped, momentarily irritated, but only for being interrupted from her course. Every second of delay meant... She shook her head, clearing her fears, and listened to what Father Simon had to say. It wasn't his fault for meeting her at such a desperate time. She spoke carefully 'Forgive me, but right now, my only wish is to rescue Kate. In comparison to her plight, our feud seems... childish, for the both of us. You are quite correct: there are far more important things at stake than our pride. I will gladly work with you to rescue Kate and defeat Belial and his schemes.' she promised, then allowed herself a tight smile 'Though I cannot promise we won't have further disagreements as to how.'

She looked down at Simon's proffered hand, considering and having an idea. She reached inside her purse then placed a cold length of metal in his open hand, clasping her hand over his around it. It was a short, gleaming dagger, all of some silvery metal. It seemed too light for its size and a little too large to have come from her purse. Her hand lingered, reluctant to let it go, hoping Castiel would approve. 'It's hardly the Sword of the Archangel Michael, but it is an angel's blade, entrusted to me by the angel Castiel himself. Consider it a peace offering. Furthermore, it may better suit your hands than mine. Run it through a demon for me, please.' she asked, relishing the outcome. With a small amusement, she added 'And before you ask, no, I don't have the authority to knight you.'

Simon is agitated at Penny's pronouncement. "Kate? What happened to Kate?" And why was he the last to know everything it seemed. He nodded, "I hope our disagreements will be civil."

Simon is shocked, both at the gift and it's source. "Penny I..." he is clearly overwhelmed, "your generosity is moving. Indeed I will use it in the manner you suggest." He turned it over the back of his hand, catching it so that the blade is down. He put it into the large leather bag he carried over his shoulder. He motioned for her to continue on her way, walking beside her and motioning for Lily to join them both.

"That you think me worthy of the honor of Knighthood is enough for me. Now I seem to be behind on a great deal. If you could fill me in while we walk, I would appreciate it greatly."

Before they left, Penny looked back to Victoria, asking 'Was there anything else, Miss Green?'

She hadn't said she thought Simon worthy of knighthood, but elected not to mention it. Priests weren't even knighted with swords. She shot a look at Lily, saying 'I thought Lily had updated you? Well...' Quickly, Penny filled Simon in, on how, when the demon infiltrators were caught in the repaired demon's traps, she, Kate, Lily, and Ian had pursued the impostor Westbrook – an advanced "alpha" shifter, it transpired, a long story itself – through a secret tunnel and a hidden safe house, where they'd battled demons, and finally caught up with Westbrook, who'd been captured by Lily. Penny glanced at Lily, but did not elaborate on the details. They questioned him and brought him back to the Men of Letters' gaol cell.

However, Penny and Lily left briefly and returned to find Kate, Ian, and the alpha shifter gone. "Ian" had in fact been a shifter himself, who'd knocked out and hid Ian and adopted his form. He'd abducted Kate and freed the alpha, escaping through a teleportation sigil. 'Victoria said you and she had found Ian in a closet?' Penny inquired, wishing to be updated on events herself.

((OOC: I thought Kitty was the one who had been taken hostage. My fault.))

"Yes," he shook his head, "my apologies, I had been confused as to who was captured. Yes we found the real Ian in a closet, tied up. He and I followed the tunnel in Westerbrook's office and came out in a house near by. He dealt with the local authorities and I followed a tail of blood to another house. We found a human liver on the front porch, but the trail went cold there. I was very concerned for Lily's safety...for all of you but Lily in particular...so we returned here and found you."

He inhaled before he went on, "Now before that I was busy with disposing of bodies. Victoria has been elected as leader of this cell. There were some who did not like this, whether for her race or gender, and those were sent to other cells. The Church has asked me to stay on as adviser and liaison, which just means I have official cover to continue my work here."

He backtracked further, "Before that I was given permission to raise a demon from among the Crossroads variety. We, Lily and I, discovered that the Witch Queen Hecate is involved in this as well." He nodded, "Forgive, it is her title in Hell, not my name for her." Then he is struck by something, "Oh! I forgot, the Ghoul. There is a shabby creature, a ghoul, here under my influence. She indicated that there are others being experimented on in a warehouse not far from here. Perhaps a lead we should investigate after we retrieve...you said a head?"

'Yes. That was our trail... I wouldn't worry about the liver, the owner won't miss it...' Penny noted cryptically. 'You didn't find a dead man in a haberdasher's, did you? Never mind.' She'd slain a demon, she recalled in awe. The war was turning against the forces of darkness now.

'Hecate?' Penny frowned in serious reconsideration. 'We were aware that Emma Bently worshipped Hecate, but I thought it only for magical power, as witches do... We already have Belial and the Hand of Baal on our hands, but if the Grand Coven get involved, that would complicate matters immensely.' she worried. The witches might even be useful allies, but she chose not to suggest this in front of Simon. Her purgative hex-bag lay heavily in her purse.

After everything, she could not care much for a ghoul. It would have to wait. There was too much going on, too many plots and players, to much to do.

'Yes, a head.' Penny answered brightly, with a levity not suited to the darkness of the matter. She was being flippant, confident, trying to keep her fears quelled. 'Emma Bently's. Belial cut it off and sent to me by way of apology for her attempt to kill Kate Piper and I the other day. Mr Bently himself left it at our hotel yesterday. A macabre gift, certainly. Unfortunately, it appears that she knew the location of the Ring of Solomon by which we might stop Belial. Thus, we are to reassemble, resurrect, and interrogate her – a frightfully bad idea, I know, but it has been recommended by Miss Green, the angel Castiel, and Death himself. He gave us Emma Bently's soul in the year 2013.'

'All that remains is to locate the rest of her body. Miss Green has a spell for this, but requires the head.' Penny sighed, so weary. 'I suppose we should count ourselves lucky that Belial is sending me severed heads, though I would've preferred flowers.'

'You asked if we are hunting big game – we are. The biggest: Belial, the Prince of Darkness.'


OOC: Kate, Kitty, similar names.

The Grand Coven is a Season 10 thing, but it's exactly what it sounds like, a governing body of witches.

Simon smirked and followed.

Victoria listens with her usual calm. She seems to be aware of everything already. Fortunately I have agents enough to investigate the ghoul so you needn't concern yourself for the moment. I do think it would be better if you all worked out of my safehouse for the time being. Naturally the resources here are always at your disposal but I would feel better if you slept there at least. I don't know if there are any double agents left but after what's happened to Kate I can't take anymore chances. she shakes her head. It will be dark in an hour or two so I suggest we get started as soon as possible. Why don't you head over to Western Union and obtain the head? Take these two and Ian with you she gestures to Lily and Simon. I don't want you to be followed and lose the only edge we have. Take back roads, make sure you aren't followed. Then we'll meet back at the safehouse and we can then figure out where the rest of her is. Sound agreeable?

ooc: Go ahead and finish up here and let me know if you have any plans before leaving. Also, roll a general hide and spot check just to see if you are as surreptitious as you'd like to be.

Simon nodded, and gave frank notice to Penny. "As of late I seem less inclined to go unnoticed. I will do what I can to correct this but I make no promises."

17:57, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 6 using 1d20+5. Spot.
17:57, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 5 using 1d20+1. Hide
A pair of ones...=-(
This message was last edited by the player at 21:58, Tue 26 May 2015.

Penny agreed with Victoria on the suggestion of using a safehouse. 'I agree; my stay at the New York Hotel is becoming too well known and the alpha shifter knows my ruse with the rooms there. We should stop by there to collect our possessions and equipment and sign out.'

To prevent infiltrators, she gave a list of recommendations to Victoria for increased security among the Men of Letters: checking of all the wards and devil's traps; testing by walking through traps and by exposure to holy water, silver, etc., and now iridium – available on top-quality fountain pen nibs, and Penny donated hers to the cause. She advised these tests to be carried out on entry and at frequent, random intervals.

'Of course. We shall see you presently with the head.' Penny accepted Victoria's proposal, though not without a little trepidation as to both Miss Lily's and Father Simon's accompanying them.

She had wasted no time in making a departure and setting out, choosing appropriate streets and transport options. She suggested taking a back way out of the Men of Letters headquarters, moving through backstreets until they got back to a main road where they could hail a coach – a nondescript coach cabin would conceal them from prying eyes. They could alight opposite the Western Union office, hold the coach, retrieve the head, and then carry on the same coach to a location close to the safehouse. 'I am becoming frustratingly well known to our foes,' she remarked ruefully 'Though I may yet spot a tail or spy.'


OOC:
19:57, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 23 using 1d20+9. spot.
19:56, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 16 using 1d20+4. hide.

Simon too felt that they had become very well known. He made a suggestion, "Perhaps taking all your things and checking out is not the best idea. If they believe you there then our stay in the safe house might remain safe. Perhaps we smuggle out a few items at a time, so no one knows the difference." He thought out loud on this as they rode in the carriage to retrieve the head of Mrs. Bently. "So if we visit the room every so often to retrieve more items then we lend credence to the illusion that you are still staying in those rooms." He leaned back and offered his hand to Lily, "Of course it is your room so your decision, I am really just thinking out loud."

'No, that is a very good idea.' Penny admitted. 'Although I do have some half-dozen rooms rented. We can leave them as an empty lure. I hope this safehouse has some spare clothes.' Her own dress had become rumpled and dusty in the brawl, though thankfully the use of a cane spared her from blood spatter. Accompanied by an Indian woman, the dishevelled Mr Shaw, and a priest, she supposed she would only be considered down-on-her-luck.

Simon smiled and gave nod, "Well then we have some sort of plan for dealing with that situation. I think that will be the least of our worries. I admit I am worried of resurrecting Bently. It is good that I will be present, I can help dispatch her if things go awry."

Before you leave Victoria manages to send Ian your way and he looks extremely relieved to see you are alright, hugging both Lily and Penny and apologizing that his identity was used against you. When he hears about Kate he is devastated but a look of determination crosses his handsome face as he hears the plan.

I can get what you need from the hotel later if you like. I can be very sneaky when I need to. Indian you know. she winks with a grin. Ian gives her a dry look. Really? Didn't I hear just last week you blew your cover when you knocked over a shelf of china? The native woman responds by punching him hard in the arm. That was not my fault! The stupid thing wasn't screwed into the wall properly! Who doesn't secure their china anyway? And it was an isolated incident you ox! You know I'm quiet Ian! she hits him again and he laughs. Well thanks for ruining my reputation she grumbles, blushing. She takes Simon's hand when offered, glaring at the Scotsman who looks horribly amused.

As you ride to the station things go apparently without incident. The package with Emma's head is still in place and should you examine it, it is definitely still a dismembered head. As you head back towards the carriage though, Penny notices the driver seems to be keeping tabs on you and trying to hide it. The fact that you didn't sense this before makes you wonder if he wasn't recently taken over, or perhaps it is another shifter. Hard to say.

Penny listened with amusement through Ian and Lily's banter. It was a far cry from the supposed nephilim she'd first met. It helped, for a short time, to take her mind off dreading what terrors Kate might be facing. But, just when she might smile, she remembered Kate again. After recalling the Ripper case, this day had been full of things she did not wish to think of.

Leaving the Western Union offices, she carried the hatbox containing Emma Bently's head. Another thing not to consider. She looked up, seeing the coachman look away. She didn't like his tense posture, his furtive glances. She kicked herself for not leaving Simon and Lily to hold the coach and keep an eye on things from the road. Well, now what? They could hardly cut the fellow and sprinkle him with holy water here in the street. She couldn't even warn the others with him in earshot.

Penny approached a step closer, saying 'Terribly sorry, but we've had a change of plans. We'll have dinner here in town. I shall of course pay you for the time and the inconvenience.' she offered generously, opening her purse and feeding out coins to pay the driver.

'Ah, this is embarrassing. Do you remember the address we were to go to next?' she asked him. A test: a demon might know through its host, but a shifter would not.


OOC: Sense Motive 20

I still need to level up, which I'll try to get done over the weekend.

Simon had noticed this before about Penny, she was too British. It wasn't a slander, she just had too much of the typical British bulldogged determination to do things herself and not to share her feelings. He had seen a touch of it when she took offense to him earlier when he had confessed his prior attraction to her. He was trying to decide how he might get her to open up to him when he heard her talking to the driver. He sensed something was amiss and he caught Lily's eye. He nodded, intending to alert her to play along with Penny. Whatever she was up to he sensed she felt it important.

The driver blinks in surprise but decides to play along with Penny. You sense he is intimidated by you as wisely you brought enough defenders with you that he is outnumbered. Still playing along he recites the address to you perfectly. Considering this is the safehouse this is bad news indeed. He will have to be dispatched or else your new hiding place is already compromised. Penny, should you glance to Ian you see he has come to a similar conclusion as to the driver's identity. His hand twitches near his holster. Sensing danger the man licks his lips and decides to try to bluff his way through it, wishing you a good evening and readying to drive off. If you hesitate he will start to do so in a hurry...

ooc: If I recall correctly your next course was to go to the safehouse right? If not I will correct it. If you wish to do something to stop him go ahead and roll an attack and we'll get into it. Also, for leveling up don't forget I put up new bonuses so be sure to pick one out.

OOC: The destination was "a location close to the safehouse" (post #239) so he doesn't have the exact address.

I started my post, then we had a power outage and I had to start again. :(


Penny listened as the coachman recited the given address, silently kicking herself for not holding it back. Still, it wasn't the exact location; the safehouse was still viable. So, a demon then. There may yet be time to save the host. She glanced to Ian and Simon, surreptitiously signalling them to action.

'Ah, excuse me, sir.' Penny began quickly, stopping the coachman from driving the horses off. 'Your tip. I believe that's the American custom.'

OOC: If it works...

Suddenly, she slapped a small cloth pouch in his hand, one daubed with a red sigil – a hex-bag. 'Depurgare!' she hissed in Latin, commanding the demon to be purged. Furiously muttering the continuing arcane words, her eyes growing dark and gleaming, she held the hex-bag against the choking coachman.

Frantically, with her free hand, she shook the lid off the hatbox – the only container to hand and already with a devil's trap drawn on the base to ward demons away from Emma Bently's head. It should do just as well to contain one. She could worry about separating the two later.


OOC:
Initiative 13

Stopping the coachman: Bluff 22

The aim is to use Depurgare to liquefy and expel the demon, and get it vomited into the hatbox, which has a devil's trap (it makes sense for Penny to have put it there; Spot DC 26) and I hope it will contain it and free the coachman. Else, it should buy some time for Simon, Ian, and Lily to kill him with magic weapons and the angel blade.

16:48, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 16 using 1d20+6. concentration.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:19, Thu 04 June 2015.

Simon realized what Penny had planned. As quickly as he could he held up his rosary and said some words in Latin.

Cast Enhance Ability - Charisma on Penny
Penny you get +5 to Constitution for the duration of the spell.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Fri 29 May 2015.

OOC: Thanks. But while Penny could do with some charisma, :) she doesn't actually need any for the spell. Constitution for the Concentration checks would be more effective.

Thanks, always tell me which stat you need more. I can only do it once a day right now, so make sure it is the best overall and not just immediate. I changed it to add to your con. Don't forget the extra HP. =-D

OOC: Okay, thanks. My Concentration check is now 18, and I have +18 hitpoints.

ooc: Sorry about the delay here. Just hashing a few technicalities out first so I don't screw anything up. Thanks!

The demon starts to convulse and shake, eyes bulging in shock at Penny's words. After a moment though it manages to steel himself as he drops the hexbag though he is still fighting the affects of her spell. He instead leaps from the cab and looks like he will try to strike the woman, no doubt in an attempt to obtain the head. He does look weakened though and quite desperate. At this close range Ian and Lily decide against firearms and instead the pair rush at the man with their blades. Lily manages to slice his arm with her tomahawk but Ian trips and nearly drops his knife.

ooc: Next round! I figured even though he shook off the exorcism, something like that will definitely damage him so if nothing else that should be a boon :)

Following Lily's lead, Simon drew the angel's blade to strike the demon.

11:24, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 12 using 1d20+7. Attack with angel's blade (Not including any bonuses from the blade itself).