Kate pulled out her phone and brought up the camera. "Smile," she said with a grin as she snapped a quick picture. Even if the test proved Fredrick was himself and not a demon or shifter he would have a difficult time proving he could be trusted. But at least they were sure about Wesbrook now.

Frederick is obedient as the men perform the tests, though he looks bewildered at Kate's camera phone. He passes every one with flying colors and judging by his manner he seems to be genuine. I asked Westbrook that but he said Victoria had convinced you that HE was the one under suspicion. Honestly I don't know what to believe. He proved to me he wasn't a shifter or a demon though, so what else could it be? I would love it if he were wrong. Victoria and I have been friends a long time. he shakes his head. What is in the case that is so blamed important anyway? He wouldn't tell me.

'Believe me, you would not wish to know.' Penny deflected the question, her tone dark to throw Frederick off his suspicions. She was distracted, considering the implications of this development and how to handle matters now. 'Oh, there are many things that can pass such tests. Ghouls, for example, or a fey glamer... But I have interviewed Mr Westbrook and am perfectly satisfied on the question of his humanity.' Which was to say she knew he wasn't human at all. Hopefully reassuring Frederick would keep him safe until they could deal with Westbrook.

Frederick listens with a frown. So what should I tell Westbrook then? I assume you will take him the case yourselves now that you know his worries about Victoria?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:23, Fri 16 Jan 2015.

OOC: Actually, I meant to persuade Frederick that Westbrook was a-okay (for now). Penny didn't lie exactly, but implied that she believed Westbrook was human. Which do you wish to go with?

ooc: My apologies! I have fixed it now :)

"We will bring Westbrook the case once we are sure its safe. The contents are very dangerous and the less people know of it the better." Kate added to Penny's explanation.

'Wait. We have a perfect opportunity here, to deliver the case to the safety of the Men of Letters headquarters under the demon's noses. They will not be watching him, if he is discreet. That is, of course, if young Master Frederick feels up to the challenge?' she eyed the man appraisingly, challenging him to this mission. His courage would provide an excellent cover. 'Wait here. I'll go fetch the case.' Penny turned, winked at Kate, then stepped out.

She would return with a case — her own temporally duplicated suitcase, emptied of its contents. After all, Kate had concealed the one containing Mrs Bently's soul within her own backpack, so no one else had seen it. This would make a fine substitute. 'It's very old, given where it's been, so you must be very careful. And on no accounts can it be opened, lest what is inside escape into the world. Be sure to tell Westbrook that. Do not open it.' She set it down on the floor, halfway to Frederick.


OOC:
16:01, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 4 using 1d20+3. bluff.
16:03, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 2 using 1d6. action point.
Total Bluff check 6. Oh, FFS. Let's hope Frederick is pretty well convinced by us now.

Frederick looks most approving of the plan and eyes the suitcase with awe. Hard to believe that such an ordinary thing could hold such evil, whatever that may be. he breathes. I assure you I shall not fail. I am only sorry that I did not ask you for it sooner but I did not know if I could trust you or not. he apologizes. He lifts it and looks surprised at its lightness. Well, I suppose I shouldn't tarry. Thank you for your cooperation ladies. He nods to the hunters Victoria recommended, clearly they are friendly with each other, and then hurries off in his best attempt at secrecy. As he leaves one of the hunters eyes you with a frown. Is that all then? Anything else you'll be needing?

ooc: You are just lucky that Frederick rolled really crappy ;P

"Smooth idea," Kate grinned as Fredrick disappeared with the case. "That should buy us some time."

'Godspeed!' Penny wished Frederick as he hurried off with the decoy suitcase, feeling immensely satisfied with her own cunning.

'It should,' Penny agreed with Kate. She was about to say more when she recalled the hunters' presence. Best not speak too much of the Westbrook situation. 'Not right now, no, thank you. We shall wait out of the remainder of the night, and see what other nocturnal visitors we might have. We are, of course, staying down the hall.' It was impossible to conceal their location from the men now, but as they hadn't tried to murder them thus far, they seemed dependable. 'Good evening, gentlemen. Thanks for your support.' she farewelled, closing up the decoy room and returning to bed with Kate.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:35, Wed 21 Jan 2015.

The rest of the night passes easily enough. It would seem that Westbrook is the only traitor from what you can tell. This is relieving as perhaps you will only have one man to overthrow.

ooc: Let me know of anything else you plan to do that night and your plans for the morning as well. I'm sure that Kitty will want to speak to Penny on Ripper matters so I'm trying to line everyone up accordingly.

OOC: Sorry, long day of teaching. I can't think of anything specific to do, so I'm fine with moving on. Penny will try to speak to Victoria to report what she believes about Westbrook.

Victoria listens with concern but almost looks relieved. I'm glad to hear you share my concern. I was beginning to think I was the only one who saw anything amiss. Whoever he is, he has a twisted tongue to turn Frederick against me she looks sad. That soul is not safe the way it is. I can find the rest of Mrs. Bently's body for you. I think the sooner you reunite her soul the better. In the meantime while I look into it, we have a new recruit who is interested in speaking with you. Her sister is one of the Ripper victims and we found out some disturbing information last night. Perhaps Kate can assist Father Simon while you speak with Miss Kelly?

"Yeah I'm thinking waking Mrs. Bentley sooner than later would be a good idea." Kate agreed. She'd never brought someone back to life before. Would the head reattach or would she carry it around tucked under her arm...

"I'm up for helping Simon if he needs it" Kate agreed. "How much do they know?" She asked.

Penny was only to happy to explain her reasoning and conclusions for Victoria's benefit, feeling really quite proud of her deduction and her cunning plan. However, she stopped short of explaining the extent of the hotel ruse to Victoria – especially since she'd been a part of it, and it might yet have its uses.

'I agree, the safest place for Emma Bently's soul is inside Emma Bently.' Penny agreed, then wondered at the peculiarity of the sentence. 'She can protect herself adequately from there and no longer be our problem. However, I should like to get something over her first, some leverage or binding that will prevent her from turning against us, or a way we can deal with her afterwards.'

'Furthermore, I should like to eliminate this threat inside your organisation, sooner rather than later. We cannot take the risk that this false Westbrook will turn more of your agents against us and disrupt our efforts. On the other hand, we might feed him and thus Belial false information and lure them into traps...' Penny suggested, before facing Victoria and placing her hand on her shoulder, to show she cared. It was peculiar to deal with a black woman so, though only through her own unfamiliarity. Miss Green had quelled any preconceived notions she had. 'Victoria, without Westbrook, you are in command of the Men of Letters. I shall leave how to deal with this impostor up to you. But, if you wish to use him, you may need to set aside your discomfort and try to convince him that you accept him... I understand that this may be difficult.'

'Kelly?' Penny repeated, growing pale. She was taken aback by the mention of the Ripper – after her visit to the future, and all the things she'd seen, she realised she'd not seriously thought of the case for some time. No nightmares, no gruesome memories. Now it all came back, a bloody room in Spitalfields, a face hacked beyond all recognition. The Ripper had wished to utterly erase that woman's identity, so Penny had done all she could to know Mary Jane Kelly as a person. But she'd told so many stories of her life, had adopted so many identities, to so many unreliable witnesses and acquaintances, Penny could not be certain of any of it. But it seemed Mary really did have a sister. Here was a connection to the genuine woman, able to confirm at least some of it. And now she was afraid. 'Yes, yes, of course.' Penny said quietly, unthinkingly, inwardly feeling such trepidation at meeting this Miss Kelly. What could she possibly say about her sister's unspeakably horrific fate?

I-I don't know if I can bring myself to use him. I would much rather overthrow him and find out if the real John is still alive somewhere. I doubt he would believe me if I tried working with him now. The only reason I'm still alive is because I've taken measures to protect myself. Even then I don't know how long I can do so. In the meantime I will come up with something to keep Emma in line. I should have her location and the protection hopefully within a few hours. In the meantime watch yourself. This imposter knows we are on to him and he's not going to sit still for us. I have a safehouse of sorts, a large brownstone on the upper West side. she scribbles down an address. If things get too dangerous or you just need a private place you can be certain of, you are welcome to stay there. I may be headed there myself before long. I think the only way to overthrow Westbrook is to reveal him for what he is, whatever that may be. The more witnesses the better. Who knows who else he's turned against me.

At your reaction to Miss Kelly Victoria grows sympathetic. She is eager to speak to you but I understand if you're not up for it. Otherwise I imagine she is somewhere about her room. she gives you quick directions and then turns to Kate. Simon knows very little of your news. He has stumbled across information of his own. Perhaps you could enlighten him but I suggest you take care of who may hear you. He should be about someplace.

ooc: I'm trying to line things up here so go ahead and finish up and then if you wish Penny, I will have Kitty post on here for the time being, hopefully in response to your seeking her out. Kate can go to the other thread to look for Simon.

"It may be a good idea for you to make yourself scarce until we can figure out what to do with the fake westbrook," Kate suggested to Victoria. "If we can play dumb a little longer he may lead us to the real Westbrook, or at least to who is behind all this." She was glad to hear there was a safe house. This place no longer felt safe. "I'll be sure to track Simon down," she added.

Kate nodded at the other two and suggested to Penny they meet back at the hotel or the safe house later that day. Not that she actually knew how to find the address Victoria had written down.

'Yes, thank you.' Penny memorised the address of the safe-house, understanding it would be a good place to base themselves while the hotel was too well known and the Men of Letters base unsafe. 'Yes, you should take care yourself. The impostor will seek to discredit and dispose of you the first opportunity to gets. But if you leave, the impostor will say you have fled and put about all the stories he likes. Then you shall entirely lose control of the organisation.'

'Well, when you are ready to move against him, let me know. I have an idea to expose him – well, half an idea. We only need to provoke the beast into revealing itself before others.'

'Well, in any case, we have until Belial decides to peek inside my suitcase and realises we duped Frederick and the false Westbrook.'

Penny agreed to meet Kate again in the base or at the hotel if all seemed safe, or the safe-house if it didn't. She checked a map, and showed Kate how to hail a hansom cab to take her to an address behind the safe-house. Taking a back way in would conceal its location if she was followed. She farewelled Kate and Victoria, and set off to find the sister of Mary Jane Kelly.


OOC: Ready to move on and meet Kitty. Please let me know if there's anything I should say about the Ripper and Mary Kelly's murder. (I read the Wikipedia article.)

I would dearly love to hear any ideas you may have. In the meantime I'm wondering if brute force and a barrage of testing wouldn't be my only option. Or perhaps put a tail on the man, see where he leads us, if he ever left his wretched office she sighs. Well, take care. Meet up with me this evening. I can meet at the safehouse just in case there are prying ears. Good luck.

ooc: Ok, so Penny presumably knocks on Kitty's door, so I will tell the player to post here. If you have an opening introduction or anything feel free to post it Penny. Kate, head on over to the crossroads thread and you should be able to find Simon easily enough so you can start conversation as ready. We're almost where I want to be, phew! :D As for the ripper, I trust your eye for detail that you will do a fine job. As far as Penny knows, the details of the case will be knowledge enough. Wikipedia should serve nicely :)

The next morning, Kitty woke up, bathed, dressed, and had just finished eating the food left for her when she heard a knock at her chamber door - opening the door, she beheld a young woman she had not met before.

"Oh!  Hello, my name is Kitty - I am new here.  Pray, come in..."

She stood aside to allow the other woman a chance to enter, if she pleased.

Lurking behind the door, Penny was a bit surprised when it was actually opened. 'Oh. Good morning. I've only been here a few days myself – I'm Penny Dreadful. Um, please, call me Penny.' she introduced, embarrassed at saying out loud the pseudonym she'd picked for herself. It wasn't so amusing when you said it aloud and had to explain the joke.

Hesitant, uncertain, she finally stepped inside Kitty Kelly's room, gazing around. She didn't see the tidy, well-appointed room in the Men of Letters base. Rather, she saw a squalid, blood-soaked single room at the back of Dorset Street over a year before. Finally, she looked at Kitty, scrutinising her face and wondering if there was a family resemblance to Mary. She'd never seen Mary's face; almost nothing had remained of it. She couldn't shake that mutilated mass. 'I— I trust Miss Green or someone has told you about me?' This was the most delicate and difficult part of a case, breaking the news to loved ones, even if this was some time after the fact.

Kitty allowed the oddly-dressed, oddly-named young woman in; she seemed a bit ill at ease, so Kitty wished she could at least offer her some tea.

"There is still some tea in the pot, if I can make you a cup?  I wish I had more to offer you, but I am only just finishing breakfast myself.  Are you...are you the one who slew the Ripper?"

'Uh, yes, please.' Penny accepted, thinking more tea might calm her nerves. At Kitty's question, Penny hesitated, remembering her knife plunging in and out of that man. 'Yes, I did.' She didn't want to talk about it immediately, not killing the Ripper, not Mary's bloody murder. She looked to Kitty, saying hopefully 'I was told you were Mary Kelly's sister — can you please tell me about her? In the investigation, I was able to learn so little about her as a person. But after what he did, I felt obliged to know and remember her.' As a living woman, not a bloody mass.

She could feel her heart clench at the thought, but Kitty knew it was better to talk about it than hold everything in.  She poured the young woman some tea and brought it over to her, handing her the cup.

"Here you are.  Yes, Mary was my sister, my elder sister, elder by seven years.  I was only 9 when she left home, and she was so tall and dark-haired and pretty.  She was also very strong-willed and opinionated, and would not be dominated by our parents - which is why she ended up leaving.  She wrote a couple of letters to me, at first, but after a while my letters to her were unanswered, and I found out she'd moved on and not told anyone where.  It wasn't until I left home myself, and found out what life was like for a young woman without opportunity, what she was most likely doing - and when I finally found out where she was, and went find her, it was too late.  It broke my heart, knowing I would never see her again, and knowing from the papers what that monster did to her.  But to find out that my own father was complicit her death...I felt anger like I've never felt before, not even against the Ripper."

"For a while I fantasized that I would track down the Ripper myself and get my vengeance - but of course, this was only a foolish dream, but it upset me greatly that he seemed to get away with his murders scott free.  But when I heard that you had killed him, well it was a shock at first, but I must say I felt much better about the whole thing than I had in months, as if a weight has come off my shoulders."

She wondered if she should confess that the focus of her revenge now lay on her own father - what would people think?  What would her new employers think?  She decided against saying anything, at least for the moment.

"Would you mind very much telling me how it happened?  I've seen it happen in my mind so often, I would like to compare how my vision of his demise compares with his real death.  If that sounds like a morbid obsession, I confess, it was...but I feel it is nearly over with now."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:15, Thu 29 Jan 2015.