While Penny dealt with the missus Alice watched for more weirdness, like the dog. She caught Penny's seeming disappointment and wondered if she was disappointed that Ian's fantasy included a wife or that the wife was not Penny herself. Alice had half expected this, even if he weren't married his "Lady's Man" routine struck her as halfhearted.

She arches a dark brow at the question, her lovely face seemingly perplexed. Ian Shaw? I'm terribly sorry but you have the wrong house. I believe he's past us, up the road a few miles, though I've heard he's out of the area on business anyway. Wish I had better news for you! she smiles pleasantly. She sounds perfectly genuine and Mary believes her words as truth, especially with such lack of evidence.

Alice nodded, "Well thank you for your time. We will get out of your hair." She motioned for Penny to follow. Whether the woman was being truthful or not was the same, they would need to watch the cottage to be sure, from a distance.

But Penny lingered, unwilling to leave. She tried again, slipping a boot in the door if she must. 'Oh, how inconvenient. Tell me, does he have an apprentice or partner, someone he works with, whom we might leave a message with or gain an address from? It really is most urgent, and profitable.' She threw in that last part as a little enticement.

Well, he does have an apprentice who rents out a room at the inn, just a mile west into town she frowns, thinking. I'm sure he can help you. His name is Michael Alban, one of the nicest young lads you could ever meet. Just tell him Coira sent you, he'll give you any information you need and probably buy you a drink for your troubles. she smiles. Now I'm sorry to be in a rush, but I've some bread that is just about done and some hungry little ones to feed. Stop by again later though if you like. We don't get many strangers round here she beams at you again, dimpled cheeks and radiant eyes the picture of hospitality.

Alice cleared her throat and motioned with her head for Penny to follow.

'Hmm, yes, thank you very much and sorry for disturbing you. Have a good day.' Penny farewelled Coira. After watching her disappear inside the cottage and close the door, she strolled away with Alice down the garden path, deep in thought.

It wasn't until she was away from the cottage that she confided in Alice. 'Our "Coira" is lying through her pretty teeth, I'll stake money on it. Oh, not about young Alban, but she knows Ian rather better than she let on. You saw her reaction when I asked about him. Ian is here – it wouldn't be his dreamworld if he wasn't.'

She scanned the village and back to the cottage, considering her options. While she could simply barge into the cottage and make accusations, she had no proof and the imaginary people of this world would close ranks against her, and the djinn's defences would surely awake. She still had to treat this place as she would reality if she was to have any chance of finding Ian. But if the world was make-belief, how could she operate as a detective?

'She's happy to have us return later, so perhaps there is something happening presently she does not wish us to witness? If we were to conceal ourselves behind that hedge, we could spy on the cottage and see who else emerges or enters.' she proposed to Alice.

ALice smiled, "You read my mind," but then frowned, "you didn't really read my mind, did you?"

ooc: For time's sake I rolled your hides for you. Lucky you my usual bad luck struck and she got a natural 1....Pretty sure you could parade around in clown suits and she wouldn't be the wiser, hahaha!

As you wait by the hedge it takes about half an hour or so before anything of interest happens. The curtains are finally opened, as though she thinks perhaps it's safe to do so now, and you can see inside better. Two small boys run by the open window from time to time, laughing and playing. They are roughly two and four years of age. She crosses the room several times, bending down and reaching this way and that. You realize she is tidying things. Eventually the front door opens and she emerges with the children in tow, dressed in warm clothes and adorably rambunctious. A moment later Ian joins her, a smile wide as anything and looking happier than you've ever seen him, though slightly older to your surprise. You'd say a good five or six years older actually, though he's still handsome as ever. He leans in and gives Coira a kiss, holding her hand and then grabbing one of the children's. The perfect little family. Oblivious to you, they start up the path in the opposite direction, perhaps on a family walk.

OOC: Clown suits, you say...?


'We're already currently reading Ian's mind, so... I really can't be sure at this point.' Penny mused. Mesmerism wasn't her strong suit. If only Victoria were here, she had a natural gift for it.

*

As she waited behind the hedge, Penny had expected, well, she didn't know, something dark and nefarious, something secretive, the work of the djinn. But her breath caught, strangled, in her throat as she spied on the happy family that emerged, confirming her worse fears. How could she dare try to take Ian away from this? How could he give up his bonny wife and wee bairns? This task seemed impossible, and what they had to do cruel. 'Ugh, why couldn't he have wished for something shallow like riches or women?' she bemoaned, trying to disguise her despair with flippancy.

She waited for the family to wander up the path a safe distance (children could be so frustratingly slow), then turned to Alice. 'I propose we split up: I can search the cottage, while you trail the, um, family.'

Alison, hiding with Penny, could tell she was hurt by this. "Listen, Penny, this is a manipulation, the Djinn is using this to keep him from us, from you. I've suspected since I met him that he was once married. I've met men who were married before. I think it is normal to want the company of others, and when they find someone they are really attracted too they put up this false front, a mask of a play boy to push the woman away because they feel somehow they are being unfaithful to the memory of their dead loved one. This, if my theory is correct, is simply him living the life he would have had if she had not died. It doesn't mean he isn't interested in you, it is just his past. We all have them." She placed a gentle hand on Penny's shoulder, attempting to lend her strength.

She nodded, "A good plan. Be careful, the Djinn is here somewhere."

 ooc: Haha, yup! I hate clowns! A year or so ago we had this weird thing where several states had creepy clowns that would take knives and chase people around randomly. It was a real problem! A lot of them ended up regretting it when people set their dogs on them or beat the crap out of them with baseball bats. There's plenty of articles and footage of it. Messed up stuff.

Also Penny, I rolled a search for you for time's sake. Hopefully that's ok, but I got a good roll so that helps!



Penny: Entering the cottage is surprisingly easy. The door is unlocked, but then in such a picturesque dream village what possible crime could there be? The place is immaculate if rustic. Everything is in place though simple. A woman's touch is evident everywhere with doilies scattered throughout and a hand embroidered tablecloth on the kitchen table. The bread you smelled earlier is cooling on the counter and a fluffy gray cat winds around your feet, begging to be petted.

The rest of the place is about the same. There are three bedrooms and a roomy basement that indeed holds the carpentry area complete with several works in progress. You are surprised at the beautiful quality of the work and you can't help but wonder if this is too part of the dream or if Ian truly has this kind of talent. The basement seems the place to search since it holds the most of Ian's influence. Clearly Coira doesn't come down here much as it's a bit of a mess with sawdust everywhere and tools strewn about mid-use. You search it thoroughly as there isn't much to it, and manage to find a small worn journal hidden in a cabinet with a secret panel to it. Next to it are a few bottles of whiskey and a pack of cigarettes that he already rolled. Apparently he has some secrets from his lovely wife.

By now you've been at it for over half an hour. Hopefully the family won't be back soon....

Alice: ooc: I rolled all your sneaky skills for you to save time too.

You manage to follow the family but it's really not easy as one of the children keeps looking behind them. They appear to be headed to town and it's a great deal easier to sneak once you realize this. Coira takes the children to what appears to be a cobbler's shop, clucking over the state of their shoes, while Ian heads to the pub.

ooc: If you follow Ian see the following, otherwise let me know what you want to do:

Should you enter you don't see him within. There is an upstairs to the place and you suspect he's gone up, though it's not accessible to the public with a sign that says as much right next to it.

Everyone looks at you in surprise as you enter. There are about eight or so men inside, it is very early for a drink but it appears to serve food as well and they are bent over eggs and porridge quite happily. Recovering from his reaction, the bartender gives you a nod. Welcome stranger. Can I get you something? Tea perhaps? He eyes you uncertainly.

Alice looked at the stairs. She shook her head, "No, thank you. Perhaps send up a bottle of Whiskey." She made her way up the stairs o find out what old Ian is up too.

Oh! Sorry miss, the public isn't allowed up here he smiles apologetically

Alison nodded, "Oh I understand, but I'm not the public, I'm a friend of Mr. Shaw."

Oh really? Can I ask how? American eh? Don't get many of you round here! Well how bout this, you have a seat and I'll get you some tea, or somethin stronger if you like, heh, heh he chuckles. I know Ian has some private business with the owner of this establishment. You can wait for him here til he's done. Pretty sure ol Calhoun owes Ian some money for some work he did. Best not to interrupt them when they're hagglin He winks.

Alice nodded,"Whiskey, leave the bottle." She took a seat by the door and put her what on the table where it could be seen from the windows. This was for Penny, she would know where they were.

Penny searched the cottage cautiously, careful to be discreet and disturb nothing. She didn't want to give Ian or the forces behind this dream-world reason to reject her and Alice at this stage. Still, her senses were alive for any sign of danger or maliciousness behind this picture-postcard façade. And it was a façade, a perfect but false display over a grimmer reality.

Reflecting that a carpenter was ideal for crafting a secret compartment in a cabinet, Penny liberated the journal. Now she was getting somewhere. First, she inspected the exterior, noting whether the wear was due to simple age and use or perhaps more damaging circumstances. Then she gently opened it, first skimming the pages, then reading them more thoroughly: the last few, then the few before that, then back to the start.


OOC: Search the journal for clues, I suppose.
15:42, Today: Penny Dreadful rolled 19 using 1d20+13. search.

ooc: Alice, please roll 2 general d20s and I'll let you know later what it's for....mwahahahahahaha!!!

He happily obeys, winking and telling you he has a particularly good bottle in the back that he's pleased to offer such a pretty lady. He is the epitome of a wonderful host, everything the picture of perfection as usual. He returns soon after and pours you a healthy sized glass, sitting across from you and extending his hand Name's John, pleased to meet you miss. He gestures to the whiskey. That bottle's on the house. Let me know what you think, I'm pretty proud of finding it. Most folk round here aren't classy enough for a whiskey of that caliber he laughs.

Penny: You skim the journal quickly, lest you receive any unwanted visitors in the process. It's surprisingly telling...

The first entry reads:

I've been here three weeks now and I decided I'd better start writing this down before I lose my mind. I woke up here after that fight in the hotel went south. Only, they tell me there wasn't a fight! I wasn't in California at all, or America for that matter. I've been sick with fever, Craig says. And it's all been a dream. But how can that be? It felt so real! SO real! But they only laugh and say me fightin demons is about the stupidest thing they've ever heard of so maybe they're right. But can that be? What's more, Coira's here! She's alive! I know that's not possible but here she is, prettier than I even remember. It's hard to believe, since the last time I saw her she was coughing up blood and barely knew who I was. But then why should she? I was only ever her brother's friend. She barely knew I existed, except when I was stupid enough to tell her I loved her. Now that's a memory I'd rather forget... But now...now things are different! She hangs on my arm and laughs on my every word like I'm the greatest thing she's ever seen! That alone should tell me this can't be real.

Next entry:


Maybe it was all a dream. My life as a hunter I mean. I still feel it pulling me, telling me this is too good to be true, but I can't seem to wake up from this dream, if that's what it is. Or was my other life the dream and now I'm finally awake? I don't know what to believe anymore, all I know is I love it here. And Coira! Coira kissed me tonight! It was everything I ever hoped for and more! If this is a dream I hope I never wake!

Next entry:

I dreamt of Penny again. I didn't tell Coira of course, she wouldn't understand. It's been six months, why do I still see her face if she was just a dream? And why do I feel guilty?

Next entry:

I did it! I finally asked Coira to marry me! I kept waitin, thinking I'd wake up from all this but I think Craig's right. I think this is my life. It has to be! I don't want anything else! I dreamt of Penny again but I told her to leave me alone. She looked so sad I nearly buckled but finally she left. I hope I don't dream about her again. I have Coira. She's warm and real and I'm never going to let her go. We marry in a month.

Next entry:

Ha! I found this thing after two years! Can you believe I ever wrote it in the first place? Some fool fever dream messin up my head like that. Well, since I have it here I may as well jot a few things in it so the bairns don't think their da is crazy when they grow up! Coira is expecting! And the carpentry is goin even better than I dreamed it would. Life is perfect.

Last entry:
I have two sons now and I'm hoping to put more in Coira every chance I get, ha! Good thing she doesn't know about this, or she'd slap me for that one! It's been eight years since that fool dream. I read this now and laugh, though I admit, from time to time I still see old faces in dreams that I'd rather forget. The mind is a funny thing I guess. Oh well. I love Coira and the children and that is all that matters. No demons that don't exist, no fever dreams, no anythin can take me away now. Never again.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:35, Tue 21 Nov 2017.

Alice nodded but did not touch the drink. Her eyes are on the stairs, waiting patiently.

He looks a bit disappointed. Both that you aren't more chatty and that you haven't tried his drink. After some half-hearted attempts to make conversation he stands and informs you he'll go and fetch Ian for you. I'll be back in a moment miss With that he heads upstairs and you're left to wait. About a minute or so later though you hear a loud thump from above. Before you can investigate, John comes back down, the cheery look gone from his face. Behind you, all the other patrons are quiet, their faces cold and flat, just like John's. You should have just had the drink.

Alison's hands move to her pistols, and she draws them in one smooth motion. "You know all that hub-bub about Anne Oakley? 'Little Sure Shot' they call her? She has never killed anyone, I have." She kicked the table over in front of herself to give herself some cover. "Anybody comes at me they die."

She spread her arms to cover the room, "So, who is first to get a bullet in the head?"

13:16, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 27 using 1d20+8.  Improved Initiative.
Quickdraw - Draw weapons as free action.

As she urgently read through the journal entries, Penny was wracked with guilt, feeling perfectly vile for intruding on Ian's personal thoughts and feelings – not merely set to paper, but truly in his mind. Her heart skipped when she read her name, but was embarrassed to wonder at it. She had to remind herself that it was necessary, if she were to understand this dream world and persuade her friend to leave it the hard way, but it didn't make it any easier. Eight years in this happy life, with his childhood sweetheart and two bonny children – what could she possibly say or do to make him give it up? There was surely no good way to do this. She wished Simon were here for advice. Damn that djinn.

Finishing the journal, she quickly clapped it closed and returned it to the hiding place. She contemplated what she could do with the whiskey and cigarettes, but left them untouched for now. She needed to speak to Ian first. If she'd been appearing in his dreams, she might yet be the best one to persuade him of the truth. Before she did anything drastic.

Penny hurried out of the basement and out of the cottage, intending to reunite with Alice.

Alice: The scene is tense. Seven men stare at you stiffly, grouped on either side of you. Most are unarmed, at least with guns. After all, this is Ian's dream and in a quaint village like this who would have the need for one? But three of them grab bottles and John himself seems to have a revolver at his side you can see he's itching to reach for. As the barkeep, it's little surprise he's armed and he's likely going to be your biggest threat because of it. He slowly starts to reach for it, speaking calmly as he does. Alright simmer down. All we want is for you to leave. No trouble from us if you do. But if you start somethin, I guarantee you won't be finishing it. Ian's out cold, so don't think even if you got to him that it would do you any good. Now, what's it gonna be?

ooc: If you do "start" something, please roll 4 rounds worth.

Penny: You head the direction the family went, fortunately moving at a much faster pace than Alice as you don't have concealment to worry on. Following the path it's clear it leads to town so logically that must be where they went. Now the only problem is finding them. The quaint place is small, really just a long street with rows of shops on either side, a park past that, and several houses scattered here and there. From the street you don't see Alice or Ian's family but there are several options of where they could be.

ooc: Please roll a search/spot etc.