ooc: Bad news- since Juliet wants to be let loose she is fighting with you for control so no taking 10...good news? 10 is all you need! Yay! ;P

Penny, Juliet is obedient though you sense her particular dislike of Lily, no doubt because of her nephilim blood. It's surprising how connected you feel to the beast and you wonder if it goes both ways. Lily watches you both like a hawk and judging by the way her green eyes follow Juliet's movements you realize she can see the beast and she seems very on edge about it.

Luckily the rest of the ride out of the park goes much smoother. Lily takes the reins again though she drives with a quick pace that is smooth and controlled, a far cry from the regular madness the woman displays. The cop introduces himself to everyone, his name is Frank Wimbly and Ian gives him the barest of explanations about hunting and demons being real. He asks if Father Simon really is a priest and hearing the affirmative takes some comfort in this. He decides not to ask about the body so long as you weren't the ones who took her head and when you get back to the main roads he hops off and bids you all adieu. Juliet dutifully leaves as well though Penny senses she is disappointed. It can't be pleasant going back to hell.

ooc: I'm just gonna give Simon a chance to do any talking/reacting before moving along though I know you're busy so no rush! Don't know if he's going to ask about Lily or the hellhound or not but it would make sense if he's curious :)

Simon looked at Lily and then left her to the reigns. He sensed there was far more here than he was aware of. He will ask if Lily needed mending, but he will not press the matter. Simon knows when to keep his mouth shut.

When he does offer to heal her she grudgingly nods. When she wakes up there will be hell to pay for Penny's wretched mutt she scowls. Thank you. Indeed after Juliet is returned to the pit the woman's eyes fade back to normal, her green irises and pupils reasserting themselves and she suddenly sags in exhaustion and looks down at her blood covered body in surprise. Ian takes the reins then as she is too bewildered to drive properly. Blast it happened again?! she looks at Simon. What happened?! You saw it didn't you? What did I do?

Meanwhile you are almost back to headquarters. Fortunately this hour the streets are fairly deserted. You may just get the body in without too much hullabaloo.

ooc: First time I've actually used the word hullabaloo and I spelled it right first try! Ha!

As they drove out of Central Park, Penny rode quietly on the wagon, keeping as close an eye on Juliet as on the surroundings. She was caught between two brooding beasts: on the one side, the restrained savagery of the hellhound, wanting to run and slay again. On the other, Father Simon, no doubt wondering and worrying about Lily. Penny half-expected some complaint, even righteous indignation, about the presence of the hellhound, and he would be right to make it. Penny had fully intended to inform him of the hellhound, and the demon-purging hexbag spell, even ask how she could make her use of them right before God and not just Castiel, but for all the hectic work they had to do. There was always something more to do, right now, and the rest could wait or be ignored. A hunter's life. That Simon had not said a word seemed testament to his greater concern for Lily. Penny wished she could say something, just to say the truth and make Lily content, but she was bound by oath to the nephilim, and more importantly the angel Castiel. And it was tearing her in twain.

As they came to the gates, Penny reached out for the invisible hellhound and patted its warm, slick leathery hide, before quietly dismissing back to the lower places.

She looked across at the restored Lily, relieved to have the normal human woman back with them, but uncomfortable with having to explain the missing time. 'You were magnificent.' Penny said, deflecting the question. 'As for the wounds – they are my fault, I'm afraid. Some help I summoned went awry. I'm truly sorry.' she apologised, and that part was truly genuine.

As they rolled through the city streets, Penny said 'We should head quickly back to the safehouse, but for all the chaos in the park, we must beware that we are not followed. I don't suppose we can change our wagon somewhere? We could always conceal Mrs Bently in a rolled carpet.' she asked, mainly directed at Ian.

Lily listens to Penny with surprise and makes a face. Oh! Well I seemed to have survived at least. Magnificent eh? So you're still not going to tell me what I did? she sighs then turns to Simon. Well at least I'm betting I can get you to tell me she grins. Poor Simon, to be glared at and nearly threatened one minute and the flirted with the next by the same woman must be quite confusing.

Ian listens to Penny's request with an approving nod. Yes, I think we can do something about that he muses. He guides the wagon to a seedier area and you find a run down building with a small carriage house in the back. We keep this for the hunters in the field when they need to get somewhere without a lot of questions he explains as he opens the doors to reveal an out of date hansom cab that has seen better days. It's a bit rickety and we'll have to squish but it will do I think. If it doesn't fall apart on the way... Lily arches an eyebrow. And that is why you aren't going to be driving he grins. Ian asks Simon to help him put the body, thankfully still covered in tarp, inside the carriage and help him switch out the horses. Before you know it you're on your way again and the wagon is left in the carriage house, a bit worse for the wear. Ian drives, leaving the three of you and the body inside the hansom cab. Unfortunately it is quite rotted and the smell is overwhelming. It is going to be a long ride.

Simon cannot find the words even to explain what has happened. He sensed something greater at work and loathed to interfere. "Lily, you attacked our foes and harmed none of our group. You were significantly different, though." He looked across at her, "Shouting at me. I was warned, and I did not heed. Now I must find a way to help you." He reached for her hand, "Because I am not willing to lose you."

She looks at you with a disturbed expression. I shouted at you?  I'm sorry, what did I say? She takes your hand too and looks very tired. Thank you but there is no helping me. I've been like this too long. I'm just glad no one got hurt this time.

Simon regarded her with love. "The length of the affliction has no bearing on its cure. I have confidence in God and our allies."

Lily seems a bit cheered by this and smiles gratefully though she still has a tired look about her. Emma's stink distracts her eventually when she is forced to put her head out the window for fresh air, muttering about how disgusting the woman is.

Soon you arrive at the brownstone and once the coast is clear Ian asks Father Simon to help him carry the bloated body inside. It is messy business and you aren't looking forward to unwrapping the woman. As you enter the townhouse you see Victoria and a pretty blonde young woman seemingly prepping the head. Ah you found her! That's wonderful! she looks worried when she sees your wounds though and quickly rushes to tend to everyone, introducing the blond as she does so. This is Josephine Hartley, she will be joining us. She's new to our ranks but her father was a well loved hunter who did a lot of good in his lifetime. Frankly we need all the help we can get. She's kindly agreed to help me stitch back Emma's head too she smiles. Then the woman turns to introduce you all to Josephine.

Jo: As you watch the group enter you see Ian and a young priest of all things carrying a body wrapped in canvas. Lily follows behind completely covered in blood and looking worse for the wear though stable. Alongside her is a pretty blonde woman who is dressed nicely save for the fact she is completely soaked, everyone is actually and it seems you must have just missed the rain when you came here earlier. The priest is Father Simon Cole and the other woman is Penny Dreadful, no doubt the name will amuse you considering the cheap sensational literature bearing the same name. Lily looks at you with a smile. Ah Jo! Your mother must have gotten over herself then? Or did you sneak out? she grins.

Laughing at Lily's words, Josephine shook her head,

"Believe it or not, I let Victoria speak with her, and within a few minutes, Ma was alright with it. Not happy, but supportive." she said, shrugging, "Mama's a good person, just takes some work sometimes." she said, not mentioning aloud that she was very much like her mother in that way.

Seeing the new people, Josephine was glad to meet them, and nodded hello,

"Nice to meet you both." she said politely, feeling a bit like the new kid on the block.

As Simon spoke to Lily and explained something of her condition, Penny emitted an explosive, half-strangled sigh of frustration. It was preposterous, simply impossible, to keep Lily's dual identity secret from herself. Sooner or later, but inevitably, someone not bound by oath – most likely Father Simon – would tell it all to her and... And either powerful forces would annihilate her or Lily's own dark side would take terrible action.

Brooding on the issue, and on the far darker matter of what had befallen poor, dear Kate, Penny sat quietly in the new antique carriage, stoically enduring the stench.

Once they were finally inside back inside the safehouse, Penny shook off her umbrella and left it dripping in the stand, before removing her soaked jacket and trying to sweep off as much as water as she could. But she couldn't save the dress, spattered with blood and shredded by vampires as it was. She would have to borrow something, as fetching her clothes from the hotel was a risky proposition while every demon was on their tail. She would have to dress... middle class.

'I should like to examine Emma Bently's wounds before you reanimate her!' Penny called out, reminding Victoria, as she entered, before stopping short at the sight of a new face. Given recent events, of demonic and shifter infiltration, Penny was finding it very difficult to trust or accept anyone else outside their small circle of hunters. Who was this stranger? Had she been tested, splashed with holy water, cut with silver, and passed through a devil's trap?

'Good evening.' Penny said politely, her English accent clear – upper-class Devonshire to a British ear. Doing her best to be surreptitious, she glanced over the other woman, swiftly taking in minor clues and processing their significance. 'Welcome to our merry band. I imagine monster slaying is quite a change from working in a tavern. How did you go with your ghost?'


OOC: Looks good enough to go on. :)
15:27, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 29,24,12 using d20+17,d20+8,d20+9. Sherlock Scan: investigate, sense motive, spot.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:41, Thu 09 July 2015.

Laughing again, Josephine responded,

"Not that much different, if you'll believe that. Hunters aren't the cleanest folk when they're relaxin'. Things went well with the ghost, though Ian's a bit worse for wear. Still, Lily was able to help out and things went smoothly once we'd removed him from the equation." she laughed again, continuing to work with Victoria.

Ian makes a face at Josephine's comment but as usual is good natured about the teasing. Victoria looks impressed with Penny's summary and smiles. Nicely done as always Miss Dreadful! I hope your scan of the body will be as illuminating. I do apologize for the smell she sighs and once the body is laid out on a water resistant canvas Ian unwraps the wretched thing. It is truly disgusting, bloated, waterlogged and rotting. There are maggots by the stump and the smell is overwhelming. Penny, should you look it appears there is just the one wound across the neck where she was cleanly decapitated. ooc: You'll have to work for the rest of it, make your roll! ;P
Josephine, please make a general fortitude check so we see how well you handle the maggots and such, especially since you'll be sewing around that area...ah the joys of being new to hunting! :D

I rolled a 13, but not sure what to add to it. Is it the fortitude save of +4?

Penny nodded but replied grimly 'Well, I'm afraid demons and vampires shall be much harder to deal with.' Disappointed not to get the opportunity to reveal the deductive method to Miss Hartley, and thus show off a bit, Penny turned her attention to other matters: the grisly headless corpse she'd found.

She crouched over the thing without the least sign of squeamishness or discomfort. Of course, she'd seen it come out of the ground, and had ridden home with it, even on it, giving her time to become accustomed. And she'd seen worse. Still, she couldn't stop herself gagging at the smell, and she held a nosegay by her face with a free hand. 'Regrettably, the, ugh, jostling of transporting her here has rather disturbed matters... As has the water, soil, and maggots. And the bloating that has, uh, caused expansion and splitting... Still...' She pulled on some gloves and produced a metal poker with which she shifted flaps or skin or dislodged chunks of flesh. She spoke with stiff restraint that spoke of her disgust and anger. 'They stripped her naked as a humiliation before committing outrages and torturing her... Quite a varied set of wounds: cuts from a sharp implement, bruises from something blunt... And this series of gashes, the spacing indicates fingers, likely with fingernails or claws... A monster with natural weapons typically prefers to use them in attack or torture, so to use implements... Belial might have set his whole gang on her.' she made a preliminary summary before concentrating on deeper study.

Obviously, she had not been killed in Central Park, as all this would have taken far too long to do in public, but elsewhere before being moved. Penny looked under the fingernails; traces of dirt, blood, or flesh, would show if Emma had fought back. She examined the wrists and angles to see if she had been bound. Wondering if she'd been beheaded before or after death, Penny laid the head a short distance above the stump of the neck and compared the cut marks. They were quite clean and neat, so there was no struggle, and a great deal of strength or skill brought to bear.

'Look, the difference in decay and putrefaction between the head and body is extraordinary.' she beckoned the others closer in scientific interest.


OOC: 21:29, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 30,9,20 using d20+17,d20+8,d20+9. Sherlock Scan: investigate, sense motive, spot.

Simon busied himself with prayers and meditations. He briefly Acknowledged Josephine is there but seems reluctant at the moment to join in any conversations.

ooc: Yes Jo, you did it quite correctly :)

Penny doesn't get many takers to examine the body closer and Lily laughs, You're an odd duck aren't you Penny? though it is in playful teasing. After Penny has had her turn with examination Victoria puts some metal shackles around her wrists and checks the circle of components surrounding the body. It bears such things as teeth, bones, feathers, all manner of hoodoo. If questioned on it the black woman explains it is to keep her witchcraft at bay and the shackles to keep her imprisoned. They have symbols etched into the metal though they are unfamiliar to all of you.

At last when everyone is ready Victoria gestures to Jo to sew the head and body together, giving her an apologetic smile and directing her as to what needs to be done. The newcomer handles it like a trooper and though Jo grimaces and makes a few faces she does remarkably well. It looks disgusting and decaying but Emma Bentley's body is whole again. Time for the last step. Alright, we need her soul. Since death put you in charge of it Penny you may do the honors. Everyone keep out of the circle after she animates. No sense taking chances.

Stepping back with her hands in the air, Josephine wanted nothing to do with the circle of death, so she kept her distance, trying to stick all of this in her memory. Observation was key for her here, and she was alright with being a background player when she was so new, as opposed to getting herself killed on accident!


OOC: Yay, thanks!

Unable to get more from the corpse, for now, at least until it started talking, Penny stepped back and allowed Victoria to bind and ward the body. Thinking of more practical and mundane matters, Penny produced an old dress that was about Emma Bently's size, if not her fashion, and began the disturbing, difficult, and distinctly disgusting task of dressing her. It seemed odd to spend time dressing a headless corpse; she was no undertaker and there would be no open-casket funeral, as she would be alive again soon enough. But while it was one thing to view her naked and headless corpse with a medical examiner's clinical detachment, it was quite another to have the living woman unclothed and chained to the floor. That would be too ghastly and humiliating to contemplate.

It seemed odd to show such care and consideration for a woman who had only recently been trying to kill her, and whom she herself had been trying to kill. But, whatever her crimes and wickedness, Emma Bently had suffered a terrible fate, one no mortal woman deserved. What's more, she'd only met this end because Penny had struck first, had provoked her by hurling an entire dinner setting at her. She did not feel guilty, but she would take responsibility.

Next, she assisted Miss Hartley in getting the head properly aligned and sewing it onto the stump of neck, her hobby of needlework being quite useful in even such grisly matters 'Use very long stitches, as the soft flesh may tear. Use a cross-stitch as well, as it must be on firmly. Of course, the magic will rejoin the blood vessels, nerves, bones, and such things, but it must be very close to work.' she explained. 'A pity Dr Frankenstein is no longer with us; his surgical skills would have been exceedingly useful here.'

She stepped away to wash the dried blood, rotted flesh, grave dirt, and maggots from her hands, until they were pink and raw from scrubbing, then returned with the much-sought-after briefcase. Since being tasked with this by Death and Castiel, she could hardly believe this matter had finally come. She stood hesitantly outside the circle over Emma's body, the black leather briefcase in her hands. 'Before we begin, I should like to note, for the record, that I believe this to be an appallingly bad idea. She will struggle, she will fight, she will try to escape, and she will try to deceive and betray us. We must watch her constantly and not believe a word she says until we verify it independently. Resurrecting her could have the most terrible consequences. I do this against my better judgement, but on the directions of the angel Castiel and the Horseman Death himself.'

She unlocked the briefcase, then cracked it opened...

Believe me Penny we are in agreement. It only testifies how limited our choices are. However, given that the enemy is so bent on us not awaking her I would say we are on the right track. she smiles reassuringly.

As the briefcase is opened a blinding white light comes from within and you all watch in surprise as it floats out in a shimmering orb and immediately plunges itself into the corpse's chest. My hoodoo will help restore her body Victoria explains as you watch. Wouldn't be very nice otherwise Indeed as she speaks the woman's flesh starts to restore itself, the bloated maggot filled thing turns pink and firm and even the neck attaches itself to the rest of the body. All of this happens in a matter of seconds and as you stare at a completely healed middle aged woman her eyes start to flutter and she gasps in shock, sitting up and breathing heavily in distress until a moment later she starts to come to her senses. As her glazed eyes start to clear she looks at all of you in surprise and then immediately tries to cast a spell, at least judging by the position of her hands but the shackles around her wrists keep her blocked and the circle itself keeps her in place. So....you know then she growls with surprising calm now that she's regained her form. I suppose you think I'm going to help you now? she raises a defiant eyebrow, looking particularly disgusted with Penny. Where's Miss Piper? Didn't make it I hope?

At the rush of light from the briefcase, Penny took an involuntarily step back, and watched in a mixture of horror and fascination as the decayed, maimed body was healed and life was restored. This magic was potent and could work wonders in medicine. But the soul was no easy to retrieve from beyond the veil of death.

Then Emma Bently was alive and well and glaring hatefully at her. It chilled Penny to the bone to have her foe brought back before her. She realised that for all their preparations and efforts, she now had no idea what to say to the woman. 'Miss Piper will fare far better than you did, I wager.' Penny returned, reminding Emma of what she'd suffered before death. Her voice was restrained, cold as ice. She did not need to do anything so base as torture her. She watched her as an owl watches a mouse, observing every motion and discerning every emotion that flickered upon Emma Bently's face. She sought a motive by which Bently could be persuaded to help them. 'And I know you will help us. You must. It is the only means now by which you may have revenge on Belial and his gang for what they did to you.'


OOC: I know my Diplomacy skill sucks, but this is ridiculous.
16:02, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 0 using 1d20-1. diplomacy.
16:03, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 8 using 1d20+5. bluff.

ooc: Wow. In all my years of playing I've never seen a roll this bad. It's almost impressive!

The mention of Belial and what was done to her brings a twist of rage to the woman's face and she starts to struggle with her bonds and rush at the circle which does not yield, instead she slams into an invisible barrier and tumbles to the ground. She tries again and again to the point of exhaustion and you get the impression she is still somewhat unbalanced due to what was done to her. Apparently bringing it up was not a good tactic...Victoria tries to bring calmness to the situation but no matter what she says or does the plump woman is raving for Penny's blood, who else would she have to blame for this after all? At last the black woman mutters an incantation and the witch's eyes roll back into her head and she slips to the ground, apparently asleep. Well that could have gone better she mutters.

Meanwhile Ian turns to Jo and explains, seeing the confusion on her face. This witch disobeyed Belial, who she was working for,  when she tried to kill Penny here and another of our group named Kate Piper. Since then Kate's been abducted but Emma was as you know, brutally punished for her betrayal. Emma actually serves another rival master, Baal and has a way to defeat Belial. That is why we need her, well if she ever puts her mind back together he sighs.

After Emma goes down Victoria rubs her temples tiredly. Well I doubt we'll get anywhere tonight. I was hoping this would go a bit smoother but I'm not really surprised all things considering. Why don't you all get some rest? Lily, Ian and I will take turns keeping watch though she is well warded. I'm not going to take any chances though.

ooc: Emma is not going to cooperate easily so everyone respond as you like and give me your plans for the next three days please.

Simon had been silent until now, but as things seemed to wind down he opened his eyes and went to Emma. "I believe all souls can be saved. Yours has been given a second opportunity at salvation. You should not think lightly of it. Your master would just as soon cut you off as keep you. There is another way. Jesus Christ can save you, He waits patiently for you. Your war with God will end, and it will end badly if you refuse Him. He is your hope and means to Heaven. He is your light. He offers you this opportunity. He does not often do this, offer someone the opportunity after death. Your fate is in your own hands now. You have seen hell and it's torments. You are at the fork in the road again, Emma. I beg you take the straight and narrow."


11:09, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 28 using 1d20+12. Diplomacy.

Shocked by the savage, lunatic intensity of Bently's reaction, Penny stepped quickly back from the circle, as if the witch's rage alone would break her through the barrier and put her murderous hands around her throat. She didn't feel safe until Victoria put her to sleep. Penny was filled with guilt and regret, not least for so badly underestimating Emma Bently's feelings. She could read everything about a person except their feelings. They so often remained a mystery to her.

Stepping away, Penny began to feel the terrible lateness of the hour and all the day's exertions. She was tired to her bones, and just wanted to sleep. She fancied, and hoped, she wouldn't dream at all. 'Can anything put her mind back together?' she wondered aloud, not expecting any answer, nor any kind of cure. 'I believe that, when next you question her, I should not be present. Unless...' She shook her head, it was not the time.

It was well past time to go to bed, but with nothing more she could do right now, her mind just came right back to Kate's plight. Her friend, perhaps even her distant descendant, even in the demon prince's clutches, suffering the Devil only knew what abuses and mistreatments. And right now, there was nothing she could do. Her face tight and eyes twitching, Penny drifted off to the safehouse's small kitchen, looking for tea to calm her fraught nerves before bed.


OOC: I'll summarise Penny's plans tomorrow.

Emma's eyes flick to Simon as he implores her and she listens but her face remains twisted in a snarl and she still tries to attack Penny until she is put asleep for the time being. You do sense you hit a nerve though and it may be an option worth pursuing when she calms down. There is something unbalanced about her now, no doubt from her many abuses.

Penny finds the tea easily enough and Ian checks in on her to make sure she's alright. Lily does the same with Simon, sensing he is a bit distracted perhaps or maybe just exhausted from the horrid day. A lot has happened in 24 hours.

ooc: Ok, skipping ahead a smidge because it just won't make sense for Emma to so quickly decide to help you. She's got to calm down a bit first and you may as well let your characters rest up a smidge too. If no one has posted by tomorrow their plans I may just move ahead and you can fill me in when you get the chance just so I can keep the story moving. Thanks!