'Are you well? Did it hurt you?' Penny asked Kate first and urgently, worried for her friend and mother's health and well-being. When it seemed that she was, Penny sucked in her breath, disturbed by this development. 'We had our own run-ins with demons, but we were able to twist them to our purposes. Having a third demon involved and still loose complicates matters greatly. Yes, we must take additional precautions, as we can no longer trust that Belial's forces do not know we are here.'

'First, we must confirm that we ourselves are not possessed. Our tattoos will ward us, but they may be sabotaged by a small cut, so please, reveal them.' Penny went first, turning around and tugging down the back and shoulder of her dress to display the Celtic-style pentagram on her shoulder blade. It was unmarked.

'Emma, please ask Sarah to have her workmen draw devil's traps at all the entrances, hidden and open. Chalk will do for now. They should be used to sudden occult architectural whims by now.' Penny suggested. 'Oh, and please, tell her that the spirits demand a price for Mr Michaels's presence here tonight. His widow's own soul must be put at ease. She must make amends with Molly Michaels and treat with her fairly. On no account is she to mention his spirit was summoned; she must let on that he remains undisturbed in Heaven. Or, or something horrible will doubtless happen to the house.'

Penny took back Cole Michaels's pocket watch, secreting the genuine one about her person (though she'd relocate it later when alone) and keeping the forgery in her purse.


OOC: Constitution 3, Penny is best suited to a supervisory role. :)
General checks: Spot 19, Search 18.
Since we'll search as along as it takes, we'd have to take 20, so Search 28.

Find Clues: With this feat, Penny doesn't have to actively search, she may stumble upon it if she comes within 5 ft, and is entitled to a free Search check: Search 16 (wrong modifier in the roller).
This message was last edited by the player at 06:51, Wed 03 May 2017.

ooc: For time's sake I rolled checks for Kate/Alice. Also, Alice do you have a tattoo?

A tattoo check reveals all is well, though when Ian pulls his shirt up to reveal his tattoo above his hip, Emma gasps unintentionally at his chiseled abs and then looks most amused about it. I'd forgotten what a good torso could look like she smirks. My own wretch of a husband never had muscles like those, even when he was young.

Ian looks laughably uncomfortable, not used to witches paying him such compliments and he puts his shirt back quickly once it's deemed he is safe.

At Penny's instructions Emma chuckles. Soft hearted thing aren't you? Very well, I'll have Sarah see the widow compensated. It will be easy to do I imagine, poor thing is probably still shaking, wherever she is. Well, I'm off to find her and pass along the orders. Watch your backs, the demon could be anywhere, if it was fool enough to stick around that is With that she quits the room.

Soon you find yourselves in the massive basement filled with coal. It spills out everywhere but the passageways are clear enough, just a series of paths with brick alcoves of coal on either side and a few rooms here and there for other purposes as well as a massive stove and boiler. It's messy, cramped and far too big for your liking.

Penny, to her credit, tries to help shovel but such manual labor is not the norm for her and she fatigues quickly. Emma doesn't even try, rejoining you after the devil's traps are inspected, making a face at the coal messing up the bottoms of her skirts.
Luckily Kate, Alice and especially Ian are up for the task of shoveling. Ian, overheated, starts to shed his shirt but a leer from Emma quickly changes his mind.

It is Penny and Ian who are able to spot some abnormalities and after three hours of hard messy, grimy work, you are able to uncover a loose brick underneath the black mess. Ian pulls it out to reveal a small box. Wiping his blackened hands on even dirtier pants, he gingerly opens it to reveal a ring. Simple, unadorned, the plainest band you've ever seen, clearly  meant for a man's finger. The hair on the backs of your necks stands up. Something feels...off. Not necessarily wrong but, off...

Alice showed her own tattoo on her forearm. She shoveled coal until She nearly dropped from exhaustion. Ian's discovery was a relief. When she saw the ring she shivered all over. "That thing gives me the creeps. Let's get outta here, okay?"

Penny, too, was left a little speechless by the sight of Ian raising his shirt, but she had had the good fortune to have seen him shirtless previously (albeit with the distraction of treating his bullet wound at the time). However, for her part, she was peculiarly disappointed not to see him shovel coal shirtless.

As Ian opened the box, Penny peered intently inside. The Ring of Solomon! It surely had to be. The power to command djinn, to control demons, to speak even to animals, it was even supposedly the basis for the devil's trap and its Seal of Solomon elements. 'It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing... Yet so precious...' she whispered, a delicate finger reaching longingly for the humble band.


OOC: Briefly checking the ring: does it seem genuine? What feels "off" and how?
Arcane Lore 28, Spot 11
Obscure Knowledge feat: 30

Exhausted Kate wiped her brow leaving a streak of coal. "I'm pretty sure we shouldn't put it on...or even touch it." Kate cautioned peering over Penny's shoulder. She was also anxious to get back above ground.

ooc: Ha! Lord of the rings reference! I love it! I feel like I have the first movie memorized. I was so obsessed with it when it came out.

Emma watches, pleasure lighting up her face. At last she whispers.

As Penny examines it, she remembers hearing something about the ring that tickles at her mind. Something about it being dangerous. Surely there must be a reason it was not used all the time?

In answer to Kate's comment, Emma sighs. I don't know how, but it will take its toll on the wearer. I know only rumor, legend, but there are many warnings of such. We only need it against Belial but I don't know if there is anything we need to do to use it or not. We have to study it though. We should know what we're getting into.

I suppose you think you want to do the research? Sorry woman, but you're not to be trusted. You got us what we needed, what's to keep us from locking you up now? he looks to the rest of you for your thoughts on the witch.

Penny pulled back her finger before she could grasp the ring. 'Though given by God to King Solomon, the Ring was once stolen by the demon king Asmodeus. Thereafter, it has been said to be tainted somehow, even dangerous. We must treat it as hazardous as any demon-made thing.' she explained warningly, with particular regard to warning off Emma Bently. Of course, the witch had already owned it for some time, and had surely already studied it.

She touched Ian's arm, interrupting his challenge to Emma. They really didn't need to antagonise the witch, here in the dungeons of her mad friend's labyrinthine house. 'Please, Ian, close it up and keep it close to your person...' She turned to the witch, speaking before she could get angry, 'Emma, I admit I mistrusted you after our earlier conflicts, but you have certainly come through for us now. We could not have found this without your aid. We shall take this back to the Men of Letters headquarters and study it with all resources we have. Miss Green will decide how best you can continue to aid us, and we can protect you.' It was a subtle reminder that Emma needed them for protection from Belial's retribution – again – so it would not be in her interests to turn on them now.

Alice added to Penny's rendition, "The ring only granted protection from demons, the Key was used to summon and bind them. The ring and key are not the same, though they are thought of as the same. The key was a set of instructions, spells I suppose, to bring a demon into this plane and bind it to a certain task. It is said the First Temple was built in seven days by bound demons. The Muslims add a bit more to this, and I blame them for confusing the Ring and the Key." She paused before mumbling, "Raise no more devils than you can put down."

Ian takes the box with the ring and slips it inside his vest pocket, eying Emma warily.

Meanwhile Emma listens to both women with a nod. Yes, I've heard of the key, and done some research on it. It may be troublesome to track down but I'm sure we'll find it now that the ring itself is found. I've kept it here for some time, in fear of Belial getting his wretched hands on it. He's forced me sooner than I'd like. There was always something unnatural about the thing. I've handled it a bit in my research but I got quite sick after prolonged exposure. I have a few theories on that but I'll wait and see what the men of letters research reveals. Keep in mind, you must be careful who you trust. Your little organization has been infiltrated before. she arches a brow.

ooc: I like the idea of the key adding to the ring's abilities and also explaining why you can't just go out right now and use it. It dovetails nicely to what I already had planned, so I'm going to go with that! Thanks Alice :)

Also, feel free to wrap up here and let me know the next plan. Last you heard the others were called away to New Orleans to see Victoria so as far as you know they are still there. If you aren't sure I'm happy/ready to lead you, I just want to give you the chance to get your own things done should you wish.

Alice nodded. "Glad that is done. I was thinking about putting on a little Wild West show to pick up some cash. Anyone who helps can have a share of the profits."

'Indeed.' Penny agreed to Alice's account, though she privately cursed the need to find this Key now too. Was there no end to this quest and the battle against Belial? 'But I plan to put down all our demons.' she vowed with stiff-upper-lip determination.

Reluctantly, she had to agree with Emma's recommendation. Belial's spies were everywhere, and could take anyone's face. 'Then let us keep this find a secret between us and Miss Green. The fewer people who are aware of this, the better.'

Alice's question threw her though. She was most definitely not a performer.


OOC: What's our exit plan anyway? A teleport back to New York, or a long train-ride? Are we expected to join the others in New Orleans at some point, or should we ignore the other thread? Can we go immediately or do we have time to kill?

Oh, do we need to track down the Miss Adams demon, who could still cause trouble for us?

ooc: You don't need to worry about the other thread, other than perhaps your characters will be curious as to how things are going and hope that they fare well.

As for Miss Adams, that depends on how much you care about Mrs. Winchester ;P

Ian looks surprised at Alice's suggestion. Wild West show eh? Well this is the place for it I suppose. I'm always keen to pick up money, though I don't know if my skills exactly match what you're looking for...what do you need from me?

Meanwhile Emma nods. Yes, secrecy is paramount. As it is the demon that was Miss Adams probably suspects we have it, or will when they see those devil traps. We could interrogate the staff, see if she's still here, or we could just lay more traps and leave instruction with Sarah should one of her servants get suddenly stuck in place. Hm...poor woman, she's been through a lot today. You probably should have been nicer to her she adds with irritation to Penny and Alice. I'm not sure how I feel about her seeing Cole that way. I hope I didn't make her worse she sighs.

Alice nodded to Ian. She looked carefully at Penny, letting her know with an expression she is not interested in Ian in any way other than platonic. "I need a place to put it on, someplace outdoors with seating is preferable. I could also use some help with advertisement, I was never good at that."

'You did embroil her in this affair,' Penny chided Emma, but not unkindly, with a gentle squeeze of her shoulder. She would respect the women's friendship, if not the witch's crimes. 'We only played the roles required of us by circumstance. But Sarah Winchester will endure as she always has. History has already shown this to Kate.'

While she was intrigued by Alice's proposal, she was not enthused. 'While a show sounds splendid, are you sure we quite need one? We have the ring and must return to New York as soon as practicably possible, before we draw any more unwanted attention here. Money is not our concern.' Thus said someone who never had to worry about money. 'Though admittedly I could enjoy a diversion from our hunting and battles.' she added wistfully, unable to remember the last time she'd rested or enjoyed a full's night sleep without her mind turning over the Belial case.


OOC: That isn't to say we shouldn't, only that Penny doesn't think it's a good idea. If Artemis can fit in, then let's go right ahead. :)

Penny will return to Molly Michael's house in the morning to return Cole's pocket watch.

"Wild west show?" Kate mused with a grin. "Technically our work is done now that we found what we're looking for..." ironically she looked to Penny almost as if asking permission. So far her visit to the past held very little in the way of fun it would be nice to do something non hunter related for once.

Ian grins at Alice's request for advertising. I've always had a big mouth, at least that's what Lily says. I'm sure I could round up some folk for ya he laughs.

Hearing all this Emma frowns. I suppose I don't care what you do as long as you're not forever about it. It would give me a chance to investigate Miss Adam's demon, see if it's still nearby. In truth summoning Cole that strongly took a bit out of me. I don't know if I'm quite ready to transport us back yet. We'll probably need a night's sleep first.

ooc: Let me know your plans for the next six hours or so. Penny, I will have the widow's response for you after this portion is complete ;)
 Basically you will discover that outside of the city is a large event field complete with wooden stands and the like that are used for events, carnivals, rodeos etc. It's about twenty minutes ride from the hotel and Ian is able to drum up a lot of advertising. It seems his good looks earn him quite a bit of sway when he wants them too and you'll have a good crowd.

Alice, be sure to let me know what type of equipment, if any, you'll need and some of the general things you want to do as well as rolling to see how you do.

She will need someone to narrate. She will put on three "displays":

Trick Riding - similar to what you might see at a circus or rodeo, things like mounting with a leap, mounting from one horse to another, no hands riding, standing in the saddle. This assumes a properly trained horse can be found, one of her preparations. Because of the danger involved this will likely be the finally.

Square Dancing - she will need a partner and likely will ask for audience participation. This will be a how to lesson as much as a performance. Musical accompaniment is required, so she will have to find a musician, another of her preparations. This will likely be first, as it will get the crowd excited and in the mood for the rest of the show.

Trick shooting - The bulk of the show will be her performing trick shots with both rifle and pistol. She will shoot at thrown decks of cards, pitting all four aces and leaving the other cards unharmed, shooting clay pots as great distance, shoot thrown glass bottles and tin cans etc...

IF Penny will help by hiring the horse and musician, Alice will pay her back and cut her in on the ticket sales. Tickets will have to be priced accordingly. Full stands should be enough to get us something to split. It could be fun too if everyone is willing to play along. Penny might at least want to come and watch as Alice is doing something very Male and doing it well. As part of her show Alice will mock Anne Oakley, who I think she would have a professional rivalry with. "Little Sure Shot" was known for cheating by using birdshot along with other short cuts. Alice does not use these shortcuts...

Once they'd completed their work at the Winchester House, Penny returned with the others to the hotel in San José. Given the lateness of the hour, they might have stayed the night, but they had won no favours from Sarah Winchester, and they might never find their way out again in the morning. Penny was glad to be gone; the place was strange, a haunted house just waiting for the ghosts to move in.

By now, it was quite late and they all seemed due for a rest, but Penny spent some time absorbed in research on the Ring of Solomon (which she'd discreetly reclaimed from Ian) and in quizzing Emma Bently over it on the ride back to the hotel. She was also curious about the ritual for summoning a spirit, whether anyone could do it or if they must be a dedicated witch. She made discreet plans to organise another summoning upon their return to New York and some measure of time and safety.

In the morning, as Alice began preparations for her wild west show, Penny didn't speak against it. She thought it unwise, but recognised how the others wished to see it, especially Kate. Penny had made noises about visiting the opera or a classical music concert in New York, but it was clear she was in the minority. Her vague attempt to interest Ian in this fell on his tone-deaf ears.

Instead, she remarked on the irony of holding a wild west show in the actual Wild West (such as it was now) and ponied up the money for, say, a pony and the rest. She wasn't really fussed about being paid back, and felt it impolite to discuss it. Penny had no capacity for entertainment, nor even narration, and even her gunslinging was less flashy, more of the coldly practical kind. Still, she could stand up and proclaim she'd seen the great Alice Conner perform in London, aided by her accent, having understood the vaudevillian custom of claiming everything had been seen in either London or Paris, to lend their quaint colonial entertainments some credibility, even if they'd never been outside the state.

Still, she quite enjoyed the performance and marvelled at Alice's horse stunts and trick shooting. Yet she spent a good deal of time watching the crowds and those loitering around. A show like this was bound to attract attention, especially from the wrong sort of person, namely the demon which had possessed Miss Adams. In fact, Penny had seen this show as a good opportunity to lure their unseen foe out of hiding.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:00, Thu 25 May 2017.

Kate is happy to help with the Wild West show where needed, excited to be doing something not hunter related. She was sure to promise Penny a trip to the opera next time. It wasn't really her first choice of entertainment but it might be fun to give it a shot.

When Penny mentioned Opera, Alice began excitedly rattling off the names of her favorites in Italian. Her Italian isn't just fluid, she is speaking with the rapid pace of a native. Unmistakably she has spent many years in Italy, and loves Opera.

ooc: I rolled for Alice for time's sake for the show. Don't worry, it was a decent roll :)

When Penny asks Ian in private for the ring he will hesitantly give it over after saying, You may not think it, but I know you pretty well Penny. Your curiosity is a blessing and a curse. Make sure you don't get in over your head

The actual show goes quite well and even Emma joins in when needed, helping sell tickets and the like.

The folk marvel at Alice's skill, laughing at her rivalry with Annie Oakley and cheering animatedly. The square dance in particular earns a great deal of attention and Ian joins in to your amusement. You can tell he has no idea what he's doing but he's having a wonderful time of it.

The whole event passes happily and with little incident, though if the demon is there they aren't likely just to pop out in the middle of a crowd anyway. In the sea of smiling faces it's hard to tell if one of them is secretly sinister.

The hotel that night bustles with townsfolk eager to talk to Alice and ask her questions. The small city hasn't had excitement in quite some time it would seem. At last things wind down and you are able to retire to bed. Emma is confident she can travel you all back to New York come morning. Ian, still not trusting the plump older woman, declares he will keep watch on her and after a few hours have someone spell him. Then, pistol in hand, he goes to her room, shackling her hands behind her much to her irritation. You have your uses woman but I'm not stupid he informs her.

Tired after a full day you all drift off to sleep in your rooms.

ooc: Ok, go ahead and roll listen checks please. Also do you each have your own rooms? Just trying to plan things.

Before Show -
Alice will converse with Penny on both Opera and Orchestra concerts, and it may be an odd juxtaposition. She comes across as an unrefined country girl, but she is obviously very cultured. Her accent for any language other than English is vaguely Italian, as if she learned Italian first and other languages from an Italian point of view. This coupled with her tattoo is a very big clue as to her backstory.


After the show

Alice takes time to speak to everyone who wants. She enjoys the attention, but also gives Penny a chance to look the people over from the side if she chooses. Once everyone leaves she will let Ian know she is available to spell him when he needs it.

10:57, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  Listen check.

OOC: Sorry, babysitting day. No time for a big post, and toddlers have a way of eroding brainpower. I'll work on a proper summary tomorrow.

Listen, a measly 12.
23:14, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 12 using 1d20+9. listen.

I don't think we decided rooms, but looking at the mentions above, we seem to be in separate rooms. Unless you want to put us together, Penny & Kate say. Obviously Ian is alone, as is proper. :)

'I'm already in over my head, rather more than I would like,' Penny answered stiffly,  a little irritated that Ian thought she needed the warning. 'But I shall be careful.'

*

She spoke with Alice about music, but it was soon clear Penny was the opposite case: she enjoyed the music, attended concertos, and knew of well-known performers and pieces, but was no deep expert, especially on the Italian side. Alice could talk rings around her there. On the other hand, Penny wasn't unfamiliar with bawdy music halls either. Her investigations and hunts had taken her up and down London. Still, Penny was coming to understand there was more to Alice Conner than first seemed.


*

Overall, perhaps despite herself, Penny enjoyed the Wild West show. It was a good opportunity to forget about hunting and demons for a few hours. She was able to spend some time with Kate and experience a little mother–daughter bonding that both of them had been robbed of.

*

Penny wasn't sure Emma needed such rough treatment from Ian, but she understood the precaution didn't protest it. For her part, Penny tried to smooth things over so the witch didn't have too many ruffled feathers, and followed Ian in keeping an eye on her.

She found a good hiding place for the Ring of Solomon in case anyone, demon or witch, tried to steal while they were at the show or asleep.

Alice became absorbed in her conversation with Penny. She sang bits and pieces of The Barber of Seville and its English counter part Sweeny Todd. She is not a professional singer, but her voice is also not really bad. She is a much better dancer. It had been a while since she had spoken with someone who even had a hint of culture. She found Penny to be both interesting and a wonderful role model for a hunter.

While they were talking Alice let it slip that her birth Father was a Dutch Physician, a hematologist, which she explained was a new study devoted entirely to the blood and circulatory system. She does not give him name but indicated surreptitiously that Penny had probably heard of him. She is apparently trying to get out of the shadow of a famous parent.