As fearful and surprised as she had been, the actual revelation came not as a shock, but as a simple confirmation of what she already knew in her heart. It was a relief, even, a joy. Ultimately, it felt right, like she'd known it all along. 'It's me – mother.' she murmured, a tear rolling down her cheek, moving forward to embrace her dear friend, now her dear mother. Penny hugged Kate tight, crying in happiness at what they'd gained together and grief at what they'd lost apart. It felt like they held each other for the whole 150 years that separated them.

At last, when Penny found her voice again, she laughed softly. 'Penelope Piper, what a name that is.'
This message was lightly edited by the player at 08:26, Fri 30 Oct 2015.

Penny/Kate: The two men watch the pair of you with a respectful silence, Ian in particular looking shocked though wisely keeping his mouth closed. Castiel finds himself the one to break it. I'm sorry to break up the reunion but we should be going. There is a guard outside and she's already gone for reinforcements I believe.

Jo/Simon: You explore more of the great house, Jo and Lily as silent as ghosts but Simon is somewhat less so. At one point he even jostles a shelf as you slip past and a servant comes to investigate the noise but thankfully you are able to stay hidden and Lily gives him a reassuring smile. Eventually you hear what seems to be screams, coming from down the hall. It is impossible to say who is making them other than a woman.

Simon whispered, "We should investigate, it could be Kate."

So much of this felt right; Penny had always felt herself to have been born before her time, and she couldn't have been more correct. But though she held her long-lost mother in her arms, solid and real and not a faceless dream, it was still almost impossible to believe. Her mother was now a few years younger than herself, and she'd appeared out of a veritable Gordian Knot in time. Was this the true history, as it had been all along, or had Belial warped their pasts to his own ends? Under the joy, Penny seethed with grief and anger at what he'd robbed from the both of them. A mother of her daughter, a daughter of her mother, and he'd used Kate most vilely. And Penny had exchanged one cruel and absent father for another. What's more, this meant that Penny herself was the child born of both bloodlines, the key to his prison. She vowed not to be so used.

Penny shot an aggrieved look at Castiel, not wishing to be disturbed at such a time, wanting to return to a few peaceful moments with her new mother, but she knew he was right. But there was more. 'We must find— the baby.'

Shaking her head, Jo didn't like that,

"We stay clear, and investigate, but we can't charge in. We're not here to fight anyone, or interrupt torture, we're here for..." pausing, she whispered to Lily,

"Erm, what are we here for again?" fully prepared to turn and add Lily's answer to her words.

Simon put his palm against his forehead, "Penny and Ian are searching out missing Kate. We were suppose to providing distraction for them. Now we are wandering around looking for an unknown something."

"Well then lead on!" she said, waving her arm for Simon to lead the way, "Gotta find this unknown something, and quick!"

Kate held Penny tight trying hard to gain control of her emotions. Castiel's interruption was unwelcome but couldn't be ignored. She forced herself to let Penny go.
"I don't think we can bring the baby," Kate tried to keep her composure but mentioning the infant brought a fresh wave of tears. She had never personally studied time travel but she'd seen enough movies, TV shows, and a documentary  to know that adult Penny and baby Penny could not exist together in the same timeline. Their incident with Mrs. Bentley was proof enough of what a little tampering could do to the future. "If I took her with me your past would unravel. You as you are would cease to exist."

Not that the thought hadn't crossed Kate's mind. No doubt Penny would have had a much better life growing up with her mother in 2013. No memories of her harsh upbringing or the horrors she'd seen as a hunter. But time was a tricky thing and no matter what they chose Kate knew their lives would always be shadowed by Belial. He'd gone to great trouble to have Penny created, sooner or later he would come for her daughter in this time line or the next.

Kate turned to Castiel her eyes pleading as if to say is there no way we can fix this?

Penny's breath caught in her throat, shocked by the possibility. But what choices did she have? She could almost feel history solidifying around her, trapping her like an insect caught in gleaming amber. She shook her head, refusing to think of herself, even while she had to. 'Belial has already tampered with my past once – who's to say he will not do so again? I know I weathered my father's abuses, and escaped with my heart and independence intact,' Perhaps the shrine to Domnu she'd found and led herself to, the separate destiny she'd earned, had played a part in that, had ensured her freedom? 'But what if this time around he draws the net tighter around me? What if I become some demoniac, wholly his puppet and plaything?' Penny shuddered, as if she could feel the cold taint creep over her even now.

'Besides, I cannot leave the baby here, knowing the unhappy childhood that awaits,' She reached out a hand to Kate's. 'Nor would I leave a child without her mother, or a mother without her child.' She might not grow up in such finery, this gilded cage, but she was sure she would be happier and more rounded with a mother like Kate.

'I would erase myself before I let either happen.' Penny vowed.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:11, Sat 31 Oct 2015.

Kate was felt as if her heart were breaking in two. She wanted to keep both the baby and Penny. What kind of mother would she be to leave the baby to such a horrible fate? It made her sick to even think about it. But at the same time she didn't want to loose Penny. Though who was to say that would happen? Everything she'd learned about time travel came from fiction.

Holding tight to Penny's hand she turned to Castiel. "What are our options?"

Jo/Simon: Presumably you head out to investigate the scream? If not, then Lily will go by herself as she's the curious type.

Should you follow the screams they lead you down a hallway and into an open indoor arboretum filled with exotic flowers and plants, the sunlight streaming through the glass walls and ceiling. It is large, beautiful and warm. What catches your attention though is two men slitting the throat of what appears to be a maid. She gurgles and twitches as she starts to die messily, the men looking on coldly. Thus far they have not seen you and if you wish to stay hidden you can stay back, though a more hardy plan of action is always available.

Kate/Penny: Castiel listens with a sober face. They are limited. I honestly don't even know if the child is still within these walls. Belial may have sent her elsewhere to keep her hidden. If you were to take her it would completely change the timeline and it has already been tampered with far more then it should have been. And I will not allow you to erase yourself Penny. Me neither Ian chimes in with a scolding look. I suspect his reasons for all of this was to get you ready to be his key at the right time but that doesn't mean he will be able to control who you turn out to be, as is obviously the case. He can try to tamper all he wants but you still have your own mind no matter what your past.

Seeing the murder, Simon draws his pistol, attempting to defend the poor woman being murdered.  He takes aim at the one doing the cutting and fired.

Nominate the knife man as "target" for +2
08:58, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 28 using 1d20+10.  Pistol attack.
Additional +1 if w/in 30' for a 29.

Kate listened to Castiel carefully. It was true she hadn't seen the baby in three days, she could be gone. But they knew she'd return eventually. Penny grew up here after all. "Belial has a lot to answer for," Kate's voice was sharp with anger.

"You know this accidental trip into the past was going to be my last job. I was going to give up hunting, get married, have kids..." she shrugged at the irony. "We can't change what's happened. But I refuse to accept that this is the way it's supposed to be. Belial has tampered with the timeline. We can't be messing up what's already been destroyed. Penny was meant to be with me in 2013. A woman truly ahead of her time. I understand if that can't happen. But isn't there a way we can ensure she has a better life? Have a little talk with Darkmoor? Find someone to watch out for her and protect her from his abuse? A guardian angel? She looked at Castiel pleadingly. "I'll never forgive myself if I leave her to this fate."

Josephine saw Simon draw his pistol, and she froze, watching the horror unfold in front of her. She hadn't expected the priest to respond to murder with murder, she had expected him to turn the other cheek, but she wouldn't be able to stop him, not this late anyhow...

'I— the infant must be here, or must return here at some point. My earliest memories are of this house, I suppose I was four or five years old. Those surely cannot be changed... And the baby will need to be fed. They kept Kate here for that, but without her they will need a wet nurse.' Penny explained. She remembered a succession of nannies and governesses, many gray-faced women for whom she was little more than a job, but some had cared for her, offering her glimpses of light, though they'd not lasted long in Father's employ. Eventually, when the she could take care of herself, it had no longer been cost-effective to have someone care for her.

In a disgusted tone over simmering rage, Penny muttered 'Belial. He tried to cheat history and bring his plot to escape forward over a century. As if an immortal could not wait. And he succeeded...' This violation of her past, her very being, and her mother and friend was too much to bear. She felt as hollowed out and ruined as one of the Ripper's victims, all in her heart and soul and behind her in her shadow and past, filled with something vile and loathsome she couldn't wait to be rid of.

Unable to stand, Penny sat down again on the bed, her hands in her lap and staring at the floor, and through, into the rest of the house and her memories. 'Growing up in this house, my childhood was unhappy and restricted. My father – well, Vortigern Darkmoor – was a cold, cruel, and loveless man... But it could have been worse, I suppose. Abject poverty, worse abuses – some should count me fortunate and privileged, and I was. I had an education, some measure of freedom. I should be relieved my father was content to ignore me much of the time.'

'If a child may be said to rebel against their parents, then I rebelled by trying to be a nice, decent, unselfish person. To have a heart where my father had none. I fought against his strictures by being independent. And I found my own happiness, out on the moor and in the village and alone in my books. Penny sighed. 'I have my own mind and a good heart now, but there were times...' She trailed off, dispelling those dark thoughts, her anger and bitterness at growing up in a house without love, listening to Father's endless bile with darkness all around. What else could she have become? Darkmoors certainly had some bad habits and had produced some scoundrels. 'But please, do not worry for me: I survived and turned out a good person, I believe.'

'But what if, in this coming iteration of history, Belial has me tormented and corrupted further, if he fills my head with a demon? Then I shall have no choice in the matter. I am Belial's chosen key, to his cage in the Pit. He has made me, he must also shape me. How, I do not know, but I dread to think.' Penny shivered, then was resolute. 'And I would rather die or be erased than become the instrument of his escape.' she vowed.

'Castiel. Your eyes can pierce the veil of time. Can you possibly guarantee that my history will not be altered further? That the baby will be as safe as I was? Can you?' she pressed, feeling sure that he could not possibly, not after what had already happened.

'And Kate– I don't care for myself, but I simply cannot separate you from your child, deprive you of motherhood.' Penny was pained. She wanted to do the right thing by Kate – still her friend, as well as everything else – yet this cruel trick of Belial's left them with no good options. She'd tried to argue and reason her way through this, which was all that she had, but the paradox yielded no solution. Nothing seemed to resolve the issue and still guarantee the course of history. She needed a third option.

Then she remembered the results of her last excursion through time, all those identical suitcases lined up in her hotel room. 'My luggage! I have duplicates from 1890 and 2013. Surely the same will happen if we relocate the child? Two of them, two of the babe. History could stand two of us, surely?'
This message was last edited by the player at 13:00, Tue 03 Nov 2015.

Jo/Simon: Simon's bullet grazes the killer's arm and he looks up in surprise, hissing in pain. You both notice that there is an almost electric flicker from the wound and Lily draws her own weapon with satisfaction. A demon. Or at least something just as unnatural. The bullet wouldn't do that otherwise. Come! she readies for a battle. In the meantime the demons both turn, looking furious and ready for a fight...ooc: Ok, surprise round is over go ahead and roll init. and your first attack and damage. I will tell you right now their AC is 20 so you know if you hit or not, makes it faster for everyone. There are plenty of places to try to take cover though with demons that will only be somewhat useful.

Penny/Kate: At Penny's mention of turning out to be a good person, Ian puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder and smiles. I can vouch for that Meanwhile Cas listens to your concerns. I do not think he could change you at this point. In fact, I think this has always been part of your history, you have just been ignorant of it. I cannot see everything but it all makes sense. He doesn't need you to be twisted and evil. He only needs you to be of the two bloodlines. The taint on your blood need not assert itself on your spirit, it is the flesh he will need to be the key. That said I cannot pretend to know the extent of his plans. As for the baby...that is a dangerous idea though I can understand the temptation. You must understand I don't even know where she is...

ooc: Ok, so my original plan was to leave the baby but Kate has in no uncertain terms asked me to keep it and I can see Penny agrees, lol. I do want my players to be happy and if it is feasible I don't want to be unfair and just say no. So....I need to wrap my head around this as time travel can be such a pain. So in taking the child Penny's history would be completely changed, raised by Kate and not at Darkmoor manor and therefore have nothing in common with her past. Heck, she would probably have an American accent! Technically she is American, at least by her parents ;P Anywho, she would be taken back to 1890 for the time being and babysat by Victoria and only be a minor part of the story. Then, the Penny we know would still exist as a paradox of sorts, out of time in a way as her timeline had been erased but she still survives in this new one? Something kind of similar happened in Fringe actually. Just making sure I understand everything. Now, keep in mind that though this is all feasible, Penny's timeline change WILL result in the deaths of innocent people. It's just the consequence of changing things. You can either do it anyway and face the consequences or you can consider your options and come to the conclusion that it simply must be the way it is. OR I thought about perhaps having Kate come often and visit her throughout her childhood, meeting in the cave on the moors when she is a little girl and old enough to be away from her governess and father and though it would only be periodic at least they would both have some semblance of a relationship with only minor impact on the timeline. Thoughts?
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:35, Tue 03 Nov 2015.

09:15, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  initiative.
11:25, Yesterday: Father Simon Cole rolled 18 using 1d20+1.  initiative.

Simon, realizing his pistol will only be of limited use in his own hands, hands it to Josephine. "I need cover to exorcise them, please."

Simon takes out a small book and begins speaking in Latin.

Casting Improved Exorcism

Taking the weapon with a look of disgust, Josephine stepped away, and leveled it forward.

"This isn't going to be effective, is it Lily?"

"Two of you? Is that possible?"  It was an interesting idea but Kate was still concerned. In the end there was no sure way of telling what would happen. It was all speculation. The question was if it was worth the risk. We're it her choice to make alone the answer would be yes. Her arms ached to hold her baby again. But she would not risk Penny's life to have it.

Penny nodded in grim understanding of Belial's plot, noting 'Of course. That vile fiend would no doubt rather corrupt and violate a grown woman, and have her conscious of the crime...' Penny did not doubt that Belial had further plans for her, not merely using her as the so-called key, not merely sacrificing her life. She could only dread what.

She looked to Kate, saying 'Why not? Twins are commonplace – this pair shall only be separated by 150 years. I believe I have proved it with my luggage, after that debacle with Father Simon and Western Union. Leastwise, the bags and suitcases still sit in my hotel room.' Penny explained, but even she was not convinced. Some might disagree, but she was not an old bag, and she had a soul. 'Well, maybe.'

Defeated, Penny waved to Castiel, a gesture of surrender. 'Well, I have argued my case and proposed what I can in defence of my existence and what I believe to be right. But I cannot see the whole tapestry of fate. I have saved many lives, and slain many monsters. After a century and a half, I do not know all that will come of my life. The happiness of two women may not outweigh all those lives, but it should not have been put in the balance in the first place... So I must bow to God's wishes, and what He has fated for us.'

But Penny had one last card to play. 'But if the question is still open... History has already taken its course. I propose we let it continue. We may not know the web of time, but we mortals can only ever act in good faith, based on what we know, to do what we believe is right at any one moment. I believe that is what God expects of us. For everything else, let events proceed as they will. What has happened, has happened; whatever will be, will be.'

She rose, with fresh vigour and determination. 'Now, forget time and fate and ourselves. We have a simple task before us: there is an innocent baby in the hands of demons. We must ensure that she is safe, if nothing else. Now, given the quality of roads around here in the 1860s, a baby's need for regular feeding and sleep, I do not believe they have taken her far.'

Jo/Simon: Lily grins at Jo's question and starts to fire her own weapon. Absolutely! These have all been blessed by the men of letters. They are quite effective. She demonstrates by grazing one in the arm, causing the same sizzling affect as before. ooc: Ok, so I need an attack roll and damage (if it hits) from Jo and a concentration check from Simon if he's going to try to exorcise them.

Penny/Kate: Keep in mind that two of you is twice the chance for Belial to use you as a key Cas warns. I don't like this. But I suppose for now we should concentrate on getting out of here in one piece and then argue about the future after. Just as he finishes speaking the door bursts open and several people rush in, six men and two women. Demons are your guess and they look none too pleased to see you all. ooc: They are going to attack so go ahead and roll your first round if you're interested :D

Penny spun toward the door as the demons burst in – ah, yes, them – all thought of history and fate chased from her mind, just as previously she'd neglected to consider these lesser fiends. She reacted instantly, whipping her revolver from her purse, and filled with fresh outrage. This violation of her past, her heritage, and her home had to be avenged. 'Not in my house!' she screamed, firing the gun into the first demon.


OOC: Initiative 19
14:20, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 19 using 1d20+2.  initiative.

Dodge: +1 dodge AC vs first to come for Penny

Move: draw gun
Standard: shoot it
Point Blank Shot: +1 attack, +1 damage

Attack 19, damage 7
14:25, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 12 using 1d20+9.  attack - pistol, PBS+1.
14:29, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 7 using 2d6.  action point.
14:26, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 6 using 2d4+2.  damage.

I'll drop an attack point on the attack just for the sake of drama.

09:25, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  same.
09:25, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  same.
09:25, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  same.
09:25, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Concentration check.

I don't know exactly how to do this, but I rolled 1d20 and got a 13. Is that good?

Penny/Kate: Penny's shot hits the first demon who stumbles in surprise, especially seeing that he can be hurt. Ian follows suit and Castiel moves to protect Kate, no doubt fearing she is still too out of it to fight back, though Kate, that is not the case, however you seem to be unarmed at the moment. Ian rectifies that a second later by tossing you a pistol with a grin. The demons rush inside all at once and soon the room is an uproar of activity. Cas immediately takes out an angel blade from the folds of his trench coat and stabs one in the side, badly wounding him. Don't kill the women! Remember! The others are fair game one of the women orders. Suddenly Penny and Kate can both feel an invisible grip on their bodies as though someone were pinning them still. You struggle to fight...ooc: Please roll a will save both of you.

Jo/Simon: Ooc: Since it looks like you didn't add your modifier yes, it is good. The DC for these guys is 19 so if you attack and get a 19 you automatically hit.

Simon, unfortunately the ruckus is making concentrating difficult and though your focus is starting to improve it is not good enough at the moment to do any good. Jo's shot hits true though her foe is still raging and Lily misses this second time. Sensing that the priest is a threat, one of them hones his attacks on Simon. You feel a squeezing sensation around your heart and it beats wildly as you start to feel dizzy and gasp for control...Jo, you feel yourself suddenly flung back as though struck by an unseen force. An incredibly strong unseen force...ooc: Please roll a fort save Simon. If you want to continue your attempts next round go ahead and roll a couple more concentration checks though keep in mind failing your fort save will negate any concentration attempts at the moment. Jo, please roll a reflex save to see how much damage you take from being flung. Next round please!