Alfred stood and tipped his white hat. "Vell, Gentlemen. I apologize but I must bid you adieu. Should you need to speak with me again, our mutual friend should be more zan able to contact me."

 With that, he put his hands in his pocket and began to leave.

Michael thinks on what Sal said before responding. “I should be able to see the marks. If so, I can set a trap of sorts for him should he try to escape to those points. I would imagine blood and pain spirits would flock to him. We might be able to have Noah transmit the gos signals for all the Synths into our slates. When we start seeing some disappear in an area, we can check that out. Can you use your portal magic to mark the same areas he has marked if we need to chase him?”

As the man in white started to leave, Michael gave a polite nod. “I have just one more set of questions before you go. Does he have to mix his own blood into his magic as far as marking places and people when transferring minds?”

 Alfed half turned when asked the parting question. "Yes but not always. It depends on ze spell. Marking places would require his own blood but transferring minds would not you see."

Sal said, "Thank you for your time, Alfred. If you don't mind, here's my contact information. When you have time, if you can teach me the basics of the occult, I'm sure there's a few bits of knowledge rolling around in this old skull of mine that would make it worth your while. And on a more personal note, who does your ensemble?"

Michael gives a nod to the man. “Thank you for your time. I suppose now we should be looking for a starting point to track him down.”

 Alfred took Sal's information with a slight bow. "Indeed. Perhaps ve vill have time to do so one evening. I know a tailor on ze west side of town zat makes my suits. She does a very good job. Now, auf Wiedersehen."

Michael turned to Sal. “I know three areas where I have encountered the cult before. Our best best to start first is a homeless shelter they use as a front. I can hide my weapons from normal people, but the cultists will see them. If anything, it may help to flush them out of the crowd. What do you think?”

"Sounds like a plan. I've never been there, so I can't transport us there... I mean, I'd drive us, but my car is underwater...Can't wait til taxi service resumes. Remind me, after I recoup the cost of that crop duster, to invest in the city's transportation infrastructure." Sal said, though it was hard to tell if thee last bit was a joke or not.

Michael nodded in agreement about the infrastructure whether Sal meant it or not. “Well we could go the slow way and walk there or the fast way where I pick you up and run us there. Remember, I am the fastest man on the planet now. When we get there, if you want to head inside while I keep watch outside. There will be homeless inside, but last time the cultists escaped in a van parked out back. If that doesn’t work, then we can go to the next spot where I encountered the werewolves.”

"If we have time, perhaps I could be made up to look homeless. I have stage makeup in... the Atlantic, somewhere. Nevermind. But a man of my means does not walk into a homeless shelter alone. We always have an assistant, a bodyguard, and usually have a camera crew. I'll call and ask Point Break to meet us there, in disguise. Just promise me, if he is incapacitated, you run him somewhere safe. Don't worry about me."

Sal contacts his "son" and asks him to meet him at the shelter, in bodyguard mode (wearing the full set of combat armor Noah gave Sal, minus the undersuit, unless Noah gave him an extra at some point, with the facemask darkened enough to conceal his identity. And of course, like Sal, Point Break never went anywhere without his friends, Smith & Wesson.)

 Michael picked up Sal and began to run. His wish had granted him increased stamina, but carrying another person was still tiring, requiring him to stop several times in order avoid exhaustion.

OOC: you can choose to go at half speed (25mph) to avoid exhaustion, go full speed (50mph) and power through (roll 2x your stamina to avoid exhaustion) or sprint and try to get there as fast as you can (230mph) (Roll stamina to avoid exhaustion and Dex + Wits to avoid tripping and inflicting 6 points of damage (lethal for Michael, Bashing for Sal))

-------------------------------------------

 Regardless of how you arrive, arrive you did (and, depending on how fast you arrived, you might need to wait on Point Break, who had to travel from just out of town).

 The homeless shelter is just as Michael remembered it. However, the van was here this time.

Michael picked up Sal and ran at half speed zipping through the city to drop him down in an alley close by the shelter where nobody could see them. They had a few minutes before Point Break got there, so Michael began some preparations for the possible battle ahead. Excalibur was unsheathed and held point down on the ground as the priest kneeled. A silver dirk was pulled from his belt and held as a crossbar to the sword forming a cross in front of his bowed head.

The Fate mage began speaking in Tongues Sal had never heard before and began to radiate with magic. His aura projected wings of light on his back and a halo above his head while the smell of smoke from a forge filled the air. His muscles bulged underneath spectral full plate armor. Transparent sigils glowed along Excalibur’s length while the symbol of a cross glowed on Michael’s forehead and heart. The priest rose and sheathed the blades. Determination in his eyes, he turned to Sal. “I am ready and have sworn an oath before God that I shall defeat Reginald at all costs.”The stress of the whole ordeal did put a strain on his body as he absorbed some of the paradox that tried to form.

Sal could feel that his vision was enhanced somehow and could see Michael’s aura despite it having faded once the ritual had finished. “I have blessed you with the same vision as myself to be able to see what blood marks Reginald may have placed on surfaces and individuals. People’s auras will now also be visible to you. Once Point Break gets here, I’ll move to the roof of a nearby building watching the back where the van is. If you run into trouble and need my assistance just whistle.”

14:01, Today: Michael rolled 6 successes using 9d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 2,1,3,10(+7),10(+9),9,9,1,10(+5).  True sight of st Abel.
Splitting 3 successes between Sal and Michael, roll Resolve +3 to see supernatural effects

14:00, Today: Michael rolled 3 successes using 5d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 8,3,10(+9),5,5.  Occlude destiny potency 5.
Potency 5, advanced prolongation to 24 hours

13:56, Today: Michael rolled 5 successes using 13d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 5,3,3,10(+7),9,8,4,1,8,3,7,2,9.  Forge Destiny spell.
4 dice added to rolls directly related to defeating Reginald or penalty against rolls preventing Michael from directly defeating Reginald, duration 12 hours

13:51, Today: Michael rolled 1 success using 2d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 5,8.  Paradox.
Michael takes 1 resistant bashing damage to contain paradox

13:50, Today: Michael rolled 3 successes using 9d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 3,8,3,2,3,6,10(+6),3,9.  Rote quality from probable cause on godsend spell.
13:49, Today: Michael rolled 5 successes using 13d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 2,3,7,1,3,9,3,10(+9),10(+5),5,4,2,9.  Forge Godsend spell on Excalibur.
Michael reduces damage taken by 6 while in possession of Excalibur, duration 12 hours

13:45, Today: Michael rolled 4 successes using 10d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 10(+2),10(+8),7,7,7,2,7,10(+6),6,5.  Alter accuracy spell on Excalibur plus swear oath spell.
Combined Alter Accuracy and Swear Oath spell, next 4 dice rolls with Excalibur gain 9-again and swore oath to defeat Reginald

13:37, Today: Michael rolled 4 successes using 10d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 8,7,9,9,9,6,6,4,2,7.  Armor of St Martin.
Gain Armor 5

13:35, Today: Michael failed (no successes) using 7d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 7,2,4,5,1,5,1.  Probable cause rote quality on Fortitude of st George roll.
13:35, Today: Michael rolled 3 successes using 10d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 7,7,4,2,5,8,10(+3),5,2,9.  Fortitude of St. George.
Gains 1 stamina dot

13:31, Today: Michael rolled 4 successes using 13d10 with the World of Darkness nWoD system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s with rolls of 5,3,7,5,4,4,6,10(+3),4,9,10(+3),6,10(+6).  Probable Cause spell.
3 uses of Probable Cause remaining for 24 hours

7 mana spent from Mage Breaker artifact to cast spells. Currently have 1 combined spell and 4 other spells maintained exceeding spell tolerance by 1.
3 willpower spent for Armor of St. Martin, True Sight of St. Abel, and Epipodean Safeguard (add Benediction dots to rolls against domination, effects against his soul, and mental control

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmX5G8G3EN4

 Point Break arrived soon after Sal and Michael. He was dressed to the nines in his silk suit (with cufflinks), black tie, shades, black (polished) shoes, and white gloves. A sharp eye could make out the holstered pistol at his hip. His hair was combed back with not a single one out of place. He looked very much the picture of a cross between a butler and a bodyguard. However, his face was darkened as requested, making him look unrecognizable. Sal could only recognize him because of the car he arrived in.

Sal greets Point Break, "Good, you're here. Thanks for coming. So here's the plan. I'm going to go in under the guise of wanting to set up a PR photo-op. You know, ladle out soup while the cameras capture everything. You're pretending to be my bodyguard. If a fight breaks out, though, I'm not asking you to put your life on the line. These cultists are after Synths, so whatever it takes, don't get captured. Do what you feel is best, and remember, just because I go down, doesn't mean I'm dead. I do ask you to keep your eyes out for anyone that tries to sneak out, and let Michael know, he'll be waiting outside. Any questions?"

Point Break responds, "Can I pick my name for this Op? I'm thinking, 'Smith'. No need to pretend it isn't a pseudonym, since I'm wearing a mask." Clearly, Sal's flair for the dramatic was replicated along with the rest of his personality.

Michael greeted Point Break with a smile and handshake. “Good to see you again. Yeah I’ll be right outside around back. Main thing is that if a fight does break out is to get outside the building. Gives me more room to work with. We’ll time to get going I suppose.”With that Michael takes off running up along walls and across roofs using his parkour training to get to a spot where he can keep an eye on the van around back while being able to run down the side of the building if need be. His sight taking in the area in case he sees any of the magical blood marks.

OOC: List of current buffs
1) True Sight of St. Abel: See supernatural effects
2) Armor of St. Martin: Armor 5
3) Fortitude of St. George: +1 Stamina
4) Forge Godsend on Excalibur: Reduce damage taken by 6
5) Alter Accuracy on Excalibur: 4 uses left (9-agin on attack rolls)
6) Sworn Oath to defeat Reginald (automatic roll to resist effects that would control Michael)
7) Forge Destiny: defeat Reginald (4 dice added to directly achieve this affect or penalty against rolls that would directly prevent him)
8) Probable Cause: 3 uses left (adds rote quality to roll)
9) Epipodean Safeguard (add Benediction rating to rolls to resist mental domination or control)
10) Occlude Destiny: Potency 5 (prevents others from altering Michael’s Destiny or oaths)

 Michael managed to take his position as "Agent Smith" followed Sal into the homeless shelter. There, he received a number of stares. One of the workers approached, unsure of how to act. "Umm, may I help you?"

"Hi," Sal says, laying on the charm. "I'd like to talk to whoever's in charge here, if they're not too busy." As he speaks, he looks around for anything his currently enhanced sight sees as unusual.

 The man paused for a moment before heading back into a back room and coming back with another man. He was dressed casually and seemed to have been sweating recently. "My name is Earnest. How can I help you?"

Sal reaches to shake the man's hand. "Pleased to meet you, Earnest. My name is Sal Heilyn. I'm looking to earn some public goodwill, and at the same time, help some people. I was hoping I could do a photo op of myself volunteering here, and at the same time, I will make a donation of $10000."

 The man's eyes lit up and he firmly grasped Sal's hand. "Of course! We would be more than happy to set up something for you, and such a generous donation would help so many people."

"Alright! First, Mr. Smith, my head of security, needs to take a look around, so he can prepare for the necessary security. I'd like to look around myself, so if you don't mind, could you give us both a tour of the facility?"

 The man nodded. "Of course! This is the main hall, where we serve those who are less fortunate."

 He led them into a large backroom filled with bunk beds. "This is the shelter area, where the homeless are given a place to rest other than in the streets. Behind those are the bathrooms."

 Through another door and into the kitchen. "Here is our kitchen. We receive donations from food banks and grocery stores to help make sure that people have nutritious meals."

 Then into another room that looked like a church of some kind... though it seemed quite strange. There were a number of religious symbols from different faiths here. "And here is our chapel. We have people from many different cultures here but limited space so we try to accommodate as many as we can."

Michael made his way down the building and peeked around the corner. He needed to take a closer look at the van in case there was a cultist inside. Last thing they needed was to have a car chase with the bad guys getting away.

"Mr. Smith" silently fed everything he saw or heard to Michael's slate, so if he saw something that required a closer look, Michael could relay it to Sal.