"Eww!" Josephine heard that, and threw the eyes on the ground and stomped them both out with her foot. She definitely didn't want to be watched by eyeballs voodoo-style!

Wait!! Lily cries and dives to the eyeballs, grabbing them just before Jo's boot comes down. She rolls out of the way and plops them back in the box together before doing a squirmy dance of disgust. Oooooooooh! I touched them!!! she wipes her hands vigorously on some nearby curtains. Buffalo eyes are one thing but human? Disgusting! she pants. Sorry Jo, but those could be Victoria's. They are her coloring and I just can't let you stomp them yet. We should keep them blocked though, in case they really are watching us. She closes the box firmly. Well, let me wash my hands and we'll follow Simon's lead then She starts to the basin of water and begins to scrub vigorously.

ooc: Let me know any plans/responses and then please roll search/gather information rolls, thanks!

10:57, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 25 using 1d20+7.
Gather Info. 10:57, Today: Father Simon Cole rolled 23 using 1d20+8. Search.

Simon will lead them to Rose Row and point out vendors he thinks will be more susceptible to female charm while he will concentrate on those who would respond to a Priest's requests.

Natural 1 followed by natural 2. I'm on a roll!
Gather information: 16

Josephine was a bit surprised as Lily saved the eyes, but she nodded. It made sense. With that, she headed out with the Father and Lily, waiting to see if she could be of any use, beyond keeping her eyes open.

The rose row is larger than Simon remembers and you know the only chance you have is to ask around at this point. No one recalls seeing Victoria and they all deny seeing a raven. Jo has surprisingly little success as does Lily. Even Simon is having a difficult time of things until an old black woman hisses at you from behind a building, poking her head out from around a corner. As you turn she gestures for you to approach, looking around suspiciously. You a holy man? she eyes your attire with wide eyes. Folk around here too scared to talk to ya but I won't be lyin to the church no sir! If you follow me I might be able to help You see around the corner there is a small stairwell that seems to lead to a basement apartment and she motions for you to follow.

If you do so you find yourselves in a small parlor that has seen better days. Her old furniture is dusty and worn and the small room is cramped with odds and ends that have no real purpose, half of them little more than junk. She bids you all sit and the wooden chairs creak beneath you, also in sorry condition. Why do you seek the raven? You know if they hear ya askin around you're as good as dead, priest or not

Simon indeed followed the woman into her hovel. He sits where instructed. "Madam, I think you for your help, it seems you are taking more of a risk than I thought. He took the box out of his wallet and showed it to her. "I received this this morning and one of them came to my friends here. We are worried about our friend, Victoria, who is a Voodoo priestess. If we had some way to be assured that our friend is ok, than I am sure we would take it into consideration. It is...we are not what we seem. I am a priest, but I am also a trained exorcist. We fight not principalities but with the world of the spirit."

Josephine followed conspiratorially along, but kept her mouth shut. She knew little of the religious world, and she knew better than screwing things up for the Father, and she kept her eyes open to the surroundings, ensuring nobody else crept along and heard them. She was curious if anybody was watching them while they spoke...



26 spot. Its confirmed, Jo is a sneaky scout, and not a diplomat!

ooc: I assume the eyes are still in the box? If not then ignore the following!

The woman looks at the eyes without much reaction. She clearly has been exposed to the like before. She glances up at Lily with an odd look. And what are you my dear? Clearly you aren't entirely human.

Uh...I've been told I may be a wendigo hunter she mumbles uncertainly, clearly unsettled that the woman can see through her so easily.

Heh! Is that what you've been told? Well if that's what you wanna believe I guess... she grins. Then she turns to the box, ignoring Lily's confused look. Well, let's see who these belong to she motions to Jo, who has spotted a chicken of all things wandering in the adjoining room. Why don you go and get her for me eh? she gestures to the blond. Should you do so she takes the bird, who squawks in protest and then producing a knife from the folds of her skirt she roughly slits the poor thing's throat, holding it upside down by its feet as the blood drains into the box, covering the eyes. She then tosses the bird aside, concentrating, her eyes rolling back into her head. Well I reckon this is your Victoria alright. I've heard of her I'm thinkin. Her family was well known before she left. You bring me the rest of her and I may be able to put these back in. I can see what she's doin right now and it's not lookin good. She's bein beaten from the looks of it. Probably by the ravens. You sure you want to get into this mess?

Simon bite his lip when it was discovered that these were indeed Victoria's eyes. His face twitched in anger, righteous anger, and his voice came out more stern than usual. "Victoria is our friend. I am involved and I will see this through."

Nodding, trying to hide a sickened look from her face, Josephine spoke in support of Simon,

"Yes, we'll all see this through, together." she said, sounding more brave than she felt.

Lily listens with a look of horror and then her face turns cold, hatred twisting her features. Where? Tell us where. The woman glances at her a long wary moment and then nods. The Ravens you are lookin for. Don't know why Victoria would be fool enough to get mixed up with them. They are the oldest voodoo clan in these parts! They have a big house up the hill a ways but it's warded somethin fierce. You'll need some protection I'm thinkin she pulls out a small chest and some velvet pouches and begins to place ingredients inside as she talks. These will protect you from most of the nasties, so long as they don't take them away from you. A bullet will still kill though and they have plenty of those too. Keep these on you at all times, hide em as best you can. I don't suppose you have any friends you can take with you? Three of you ain't much against the likes of them. Unlessin you can get them out of the house somehow

Simon nodded and took the pouch, hiding it on his person. He lifted his brow as he looked at Josephine. "I believe one of us has the charisma to convince them to come out, especially if I add a blessing from the Almighty."

"Wait... you can bless me to be charismatic?" Josephine asked, blushing a bit, "I just enjoy talkin' to people is all, nothing special at it." she said, watching the pouch disappear.

Simon looked at Josephine like she was being modest. "We all have gifts, Josephine, yours is your ability with others. Mine is my connection to God. If I ask Him then He will bless you make make you even more capable at this. All we need is for you to draw them out of their house and then we can make easier work of them. This is your gift, use it."

He's right. You could sweet talk a rabid badger with that mouth of yours. You'll need to too. I'm getting Victoria out. Now. Both of you take care around me. I can't promise I will be in my usual mind. If I black out... she warns shaking her head. The rage in her eyes has not disappeared and Simon in particular knows what lurks beneath.

ooc; Let me know if you make any additional preparations before you head to the Raven establishment. Lily is inclined to go now though if you convince her to wait until dark she will argue but acquiesce. The house is big, 3 stories, brick and has a high wall around it with a gate leading in that is closed.

Simon will cast Enhance Ability and Shield of Faith on Josephine, as she will be out by herself and might need the extra defense. Otherwise he is also prepared to leave as he cannot stand the thought of Victoria being hurt.

Josephine didn't sound confident, at all really,

"I'm not sure what our plan is... just go up to their homes, and ask the dangerous people to work with us and leave their homes?" she asked uncertainly, biting her lip.

He shrugged, "You could say your wagon is broken down, invite them to a show, or if they are men you could...*cough*...offer them something carnal? Really how you get them out is less important than that you get them out. Lily and I will hide close by so you need not worry. Once they are out we will join you immediately and together dispatch them. Above all you must not go inside. Do not let them draw you into their parlor like the spider drew in the fly. You can do this, Josephine, I have confidence in you."

Biting her lower lip, Josephine nodded. She'd toyed with the hearts of boys and men long enough to know exactly what the Father was referencing. Perhaps she simply hadn't expected such tactics to have been on his radar. Still, she would work with it the best she could,

"Alright, I'll give it a shot." she said nervously, figuring the worst that would happen is... oh right... she'd be shot to death...

Simon smiled gently, "You will do your best and with God's help you will succeed."

"I'm uhh..." she paused, "Not sure he's the one to help with this more carnal stuff..." she admitted. Still, she was trying to use the Father's words to bolster her confidence, and hopefully leave it at that.




I'm assuming we need to wait for Artemis before she approaches the location?

Simon grinned, "God helps us because we seek His will. If you use the offer to entice them from their hiding place, I believe He will help. If you were to try and make good on the offer, that would be where His line would be drawn."

Agreed.

Trying to get into character a bit, Josephine smiled, and sauntered up to the Father,

"Ahh... and is there any line that can't be rubbed out of the sand?" she asked, running her finger up the center of his midline, ending on his chin. She was trying to loosen up a bit, and relax, plus, she was having a little fun. She didn't fully understand the depths of the Father's dedication, so to her, this was fine to do (as uneducated as she was in the ways of religion).

Lily clears her throat exaggeratedly, arms crossed and a dark brow arched at Jo, her green eyes glittering in mild irritation. You think maybe you should save some of that for these Raven idiots?

ooc: Ok, go ahead and finish up here and then let me know your plans for attack. That means if you want any supplies, any last minute details etc. It is daylight right now so keep that in mind.  During all this Lily is pretty quiet and angry looking. You're not sure if it's from Jo's flirting or Victoria's situation but she's not very talkative.

Simon, since you are going to be hiding until it's time to take them out you will need hide and move silently checks please.

Jo, I shall need a bluff from you please. Good luck! :)

"Relax..." Josephine said, placing her hands on Lily's shoulders with a smile, "Everything is going to work out. No matter how bad it gets, we can trust each other to pull through, right?" she asked, making sure she focused her efforts on Lily first, before worrying about any Ravens.

Once they'd decided to move on, Josephine would be ready to do her part, but she'd need to know the plans ahead of time to be able to phrase her B.S. properly, so she waited, watching the others expectantly.