Oops was Rose's main thought when she accidentally snowed in the djinn instead of actually slowing his escape. Well, this was one of many reasons she tried to avoid doing out of the ordinary under stress, or around witnesses. In fact, she was supposed to be on vacation!

Fortunately - though surprisingly - for her, the woman from before returned with the waiter, and managed to force him to discorporate the djinn entirely. She barely had time to register her startlement before Davin returned, though, apparently in need of her for what she could only assume was some other emergency. "Wha...?" was all she could manage initially, as she looked between Sanderson and the waiter on one side and Davin on the other. What sort of "teams" were even in play in this bizarre situation? She raised her hands slightly in a confused gesture that didn't really convey much, other than perhaps uninvolvement. "What more sorts of situations could I help with? I don't want anyone to get hurt, but I'm just a passenger."

Davin glanced back the way he came, "A few canisters that might need some containment, an explosive device, possibly a dead body that might need to be preserved." As he speaks Davin holds up a finger for each.

Rose gave Davin a long, slow blink, then looked again between him and the woman that had handled the waiter. This was getting more surreal by the moment. "An explosive device? Shouldn't we be moving away from that? And evacuating the train?" Handling a djinn was one thing, albeit a really weird thing, but Rose was no chemical engineer. She supposed she could freeze something like that, but - once again lacking that chemical engineering degree - for all she knew that would just set it off.

Davin nods his head, "We have time. Nothing should happen in the next few minutes, and by the time they explosive is active again we should have it either far enough away from the train or otherwise contained there will be little danger."

Phoenix rolls for grab:

Today: Arbiter, on behalf of Phoenix, rolled 119 using 1d100+40.  Grab the device.

 Phoenix grabs the device just in time as it came unraveled from its loose moorings. The crystalline explosive was heavier slightly than its normal counterpart but he hefted it carefully back to stability.

Nic watched tensely as the now-crystallized bomb was worked on. It was nervous work, for him at least. He was glad it wasn't him having to to do it, honestly. He had steady hands usually but he wasn't sure he would want to test that. Then Phoenix began to...melt it?

He shook his head as he went with Sil and they reached the conductor and the...scene. Nic looked the body over with a keen eye - almost as if he'd done this sort of thing before. He suddenly frowned as he saw something. He reached behind the toilet and gingerly picked something up, which he then turned and held up to be seen - a piece of jewelry. A chain with a simple ornament on it, in the shape of a masonic pyramid with an eye.

He quietly told Sil, "I...may know a few things about what's going on. Possibly. I'm not certain. This is all...so...bizarre." He shook his head. "We should gather together so I don't have to go through it twice."

"Probably better to wait for a debriefing with everyone, " Sil agreed with Nic.  "I need to lie down. Will you grant me your arm on our way back to the observatory?"  She looked around, a studious look. "Once we are away, I can recreate a replica of this scene exactly as I've seen it, and everyone can take a look. It won't be the same as being present, but it'll have to do."

(OOC: Feel free to make assumptions if I've overlooked something.)
This message was last edited by the player at 00:55, Sun 21 Feb 2021.

Nic looked over at Sil as he pocketed the jewelry for the moment. He opened his mouth to ask a question, a light frown touching his face, but then thought better of it. He gave the tiniest start to a shrug and then nodded. "Of course."

He offered his arm to her in as gentlemanly a fashion as he could muster.

Rose had no idea how Davin could be so certain, but considering he'd detected one murder already, and there was at least one murderer aboard, presumably he had some kind of justification for what he was saying. Rose, for her part, was mostly overwhelmed. "Right, well... Lead on then sir," she said as she moved toward his doorway, though the words didn't carry much certainty to them.

Update! 7:24 am November 11, 1908
(OOC: Just look for your character to know what applies to you)

The Teapot: Ms.Sanderson, Rose, and Davin

The teapot cleverly rises up to the grabbing height of Ms.Sanderson on a cushion of black energy with flickering red flames with then it rapidly solidified as a pedestal for Ms.S to pluck the teapot from without moving conveniently.

  As Rose and Davin talked, the waiter begins to sob while spilling the tea to Ms.Sanderson. “I was paid a large sum of money to use the Djinn here. They said if I didn’t they would kill my sister’s family. I..uh, they wanted to use some chemical on some of the train passengers, but they also wanted to kill Mr.Marconi,” he continues as tears began to mingle in his trimly waxed mustache, “the man who paid me was from Great Brittain, I haven’t seen him since yesterday in Paris. He never gave a name but his female companion called him Nathaniel. Please you have to believe me, if he thinks I failed he’ll kill my family. He seemed the murderous type.”

 Rose and Davin saw people begin to calm down around them, several filing through the doorways to the adjacent cars. The two engineers carefully picked their way around Ms.S and the waiter, so long as she didn’t look at them. Giving her a wide berth in the process. She was a scary sight to anyone watching, and amazing.

 Davin’s own insights revealed nothing of the waiter’s thoughts that seemed out of line with what he was saying. The man’s thoughts strayed towards a man marked by a red diamond shape on his forehead, not unlike a playing card suit. The man he met with and had given him money did threaten his family, he had dark hair and strange blood-red eyes, the waiter thinks it’s some kind of disease. His companion is named Amanda, she’s pretty. The only image the waiter makes out on this other man’s clothing is the name of a hospital called Ravencroft on his breast pocket.

 The pair begin to move back down the line and meet the guard and several people arguing with him. They seem even more put out because the guard allows Davin and Rose to pass with a nod.

*****
The Scene of Crime: Luminary, Phoenix, Sil, Train Guards, and the Conductor

 Phoenix is careful not to drop the crystal bomb, who knows how it would turn out if it shattered. The metal reacts to Phoenix’s flaming touch as well, manipulatable on some small level beyond just slipping through his hands. He caught it responding when he willed it not to drip onto the surface of the deck. It might’ve been a strange coincidence but it seemed too close to the feeling he had when commanding flame itself. In any event, he now had the bomb, what to do with it?

 Phoenix looks around and sees that he’s alone for the moment. With the Conductor distracted already and busy trying to get help with moving the body out of the water closet, he might not have another opportunity to dispose of the device with no issues.

 Sil and Nic had seen as much as they were likely to, as the Conductor came and asked if it would take much longer, he’s got a lot of guests and obviously can’t keep them in their bunks. It comes out in a torrent as you can each tell he’s feeling exasperated and about to blow a gasket. “What shall I do with the …body?!”

 With that, it appears they are freed to head back to regroup.

*****
(OOC: Besides the bomb and the murder scene, there is only one other element to this rolling disaster and that’s the canisters. If anyone wants to examine one of those, it’s a yellow reason feat.)

"Label the room with a sign that it is closed for cleaning, " Sil suggests to the conductor. "When you arrive at the next stop, work with the station authorities to transfer the body."

She is not sure how to handle his emotions for him; she retreats to rationality.

OOC:  11:18, Today: Sil Silan rolled 76 using 1d100.  Reason roll. (Yellow Feat). For the containers?

Holding the crystalline bomb in his hand, he flings it as far away from the train as he can, hoping for it to land somewhere it can detonate without damage the train, hurting anyone, or causing an avalanche or a landslide.

Davin glances at the waiter and nods his head at Ms. Sanderson, "I am going to escort Ms. Blankenship back, but once the situation is resolved I might have some helpful information for you."

Davin escorts Ms. Blankenship back towards the bomb explaining as he goes, "I was asked to get you, because it seems at least one of the other passengers were aware of your unusual skills. You might wish to inquire about that. Now, while the...device is inert for now, it was also connected to canisters containing a chemical I am unfamiliar with. They are also currently inert, but in a few minutes they will return to their previous state. So, a certain amount of haste is called for. Any help you can offer will I think be greatly appreciated."

Rose nodded to the guard in return as she passed him. It was at least reassuring that if this was all some kind of elaborate, bizarre setup, there were witnesses and more mundane security around. She made as much haste as she reasonably could, under the circumstances. "I suppose I'll need to, that's... concerning," she replied to Davin and his explanation that others knew about her. That settled it, she was going home at the first possible opportunity and vacation be darned. "I'm no engineer, chemical or otherwise, so I hope this person has a very clear idea and instructions as to how I might be able to help."

S nodded at the man who made a pedestal for the pot. Such a flaunting of abilities, he must be connected or some kind of nobleman. Regardless the nod was all he got.

The waitor got her full attention. Marconi? The radio man? That was who was killed? At least she knew why.

A lot about Waitor didnt make sense. "He threatened you and paid you? A bit of overkill yes?"

Update! 7:24 am November 11, 1908
(OOC: Just look for your character to know what applies to you)

The Teapot: Ms.Sanderson and The Waiter

 The waiter blubbered a confused few syllables but says nothing further, he just looks deeply unsettled. He either doesn’t know why he’s been both hired and threatened or knows and won’t say. His heartbeat says he’s about to pop though, he’s probably scared enough to pee his pants. Chances are good that he willingly went along with it for the money but was also threatened if he didn’t complete the assassination. There is an unmistakable feeling of low-level danger from the teapot itself, that is detectable, but it also tingles the fingers and feels only warm to the touch, if she dares to pick it up…

 Though her attention is on the waiter and the teapot to some degree, she notes the shuffling steps of one of the guards and one of the dining car occupants heading this way and likely to burst into the car in the next few moments.

*****
The Observation Car: Luminary and Sil

 Once away from the scene, one of the train guards rushes forward past them with someone from the dining car everyone had been with a few minutes earlier when they’d been eating their morning breakfast. The pair race past and Sil and Nic soon have this view almost to themselves, only three others watched the scenery roll by in the car. They quickly find a small booth seating space mostly out of the way of the customary traffic.

 Nic feels a now familiar vibration as he could hear some of that tinny noise again in his head, once they get into the quiet of the Observation car. It sounded like a faraway voice of a girl. Though he can't quite make out specific words right now. He felt like, if he worked hard enough, he could maybe understand it better...

*****
The Scene of Crime: Phoenix, Rose, Davin, Train Guards, and the Conductor

 Phoenix throws the bomb, as hard as he can, and manages a good distance over the edge of the mountain they were currently tracing around. He didn’t know if it would be enough distance but he hoped it would explode only after the train was further ahead at the very least.

 Just a moment later the pair of Davin and Rose appeared, having been given the ok by the single train guard, as they witnessed the second guard pass them by, rushing towards Ms.Sanderson’s location. The guard was following the accountant Rose had seen earlier in the dining car, and he locked eyes with Davin and Rose before hurrying by apparently noting their presence on the way. They both emerge from the car in most question, however, standing next to Phoenix just after he tosses the crystalized device. A moment later, a sudden and unexpected yet perhaps insubstantial explosion erupts from the hillside downhill. At first, there is an eerie silence, then, snow appeared to be rolling down the mountain peak towards the train in what feels like slow motion but accompanied by a low rumble. It seemed like it might miss the train but inevitably block future trains this way until after it could be dug out...

*****
(OOC: So Davin, and everyone, I usually play pretty close to the rulebook with powers but sometimes it’s interesting when someone has one thing just a little different to give it character. They shouldn’t come into play often and to me should be based on the power itself. Like Phoenix noticing he could have access to controlling molten metals. In this case, I’ve given Davin’s power a variability based on his crystalization result. Anyway, that’s what I was using to determine if the bomb would explode when shattered. Food for thought, if you like or dislike these let me know and we’ll keep playing and maybe explore something else...)

S used her Umbrella's hook to pick up the teapot as she stood. "I hope you've enough to hire a good lawyer. You will need one." She did not even look but did say to the approaching guard, "This is the fellow responsible."

Davin glances out the windows of the train expression slightly absent. A strange wincing sigh escapes him as the explosion happens, but his face becomes calm again almost immediately. As the teapot is picked up the structure holding it dissolves - if Sanderson's timing is correct before the guard even enters the room.

"Now, we have a few moments before the canisters become active again and possibly releases whatever is stored in them. Considering what they were connected to, nothing good in my opinion.

As Davin and Rose arrive, Phoenix turns to open the door back into the car.  He gives them both a smile and extend his right hand for an introductory handshake.  Ah, Ms Rose Blankenship.  It's nice to finally meet you.  I am agent Phoenix, of the Bureau of Investigation.  We are a multinational investigation and intelligence agency that works with national agencies and police departments around the world to capture international fugitives and to detect and quantify unusual occurances.
He nods at Davin.  I was assigned to locate and to try recruit both of you, because of your special... skills, for the very investigation my team is on.  I have to give you credit.  Until our meeting here, you both had been very difficult to locate.
He smiles again.  There are canisters of a dangerous substance located in the lavatory here, and in another location.  If you could please use your talent to neutralize them until we can determine what they are and how to properly dispose of them,that would be greatly appreciated and likely rewarded.  Especially if you choose to assist us with our current investigation.
Suddenly,intense heat begins to emanate from him, though it seems to be somewhat hindered by his rather starched suit and shirt.  Then his face and head catch on fire.  If you will excuse me, it appears I am needed to clear the tracks behind us of snow.
With that, he turns and launches himself into the air, flying back to where the avalanche had covered the tracks.  There he begins to use his jets of flame to melt the snow he had inadvertantly dropped into the path of other trains.
Afterwards, he will fly back to the train to rejoin the others.

Rose had figured she was likely to bump into the heated gentleman again, and kept her guard up when it did indeed come to pass after a brief rush through the train. She wasn't expecting him to be - or at least claim to be - some kind of government agent, but she did cautiously shake his hand. "That seems like quite a coincidence," she said, half observing and half questioning. She would have asked about the canisters next, but instead she exclaimed "Good heavens!" and jumped backwards when the man lit on fire with little warning and flew off.

She looked around slightly wildly as she tried to recollect herself, then gave Davin a confused look. "Mr. Mandic... Not to be contrary, but has anyone here actually said they know what's in these canisters and how it should be dealt with? Some chemicals react to freezing, or thawing - dynamite for example." Judging from the explosion she'd just heard, dynamite didn't seem like it was out of the question.

Sil looks off into the distance long and hard.

Finally, she turns to Nic. "I cannot help but feel like someone playing a puzzle game, and only holding one piece. Someone went to too much trouble with the canisters, leaving a highly dangerous and exotic preparation. The very structure is likely to be a calling card, which suggests a proud and intelligence criminal. To determine more, we will need to stop and do experiments at a proper laboratory, yet this delay may have been their very motive! Surely, there are simpler ways to dispose of a body on a moving train... who then was the target?"

Nic had walked along with Sil, 'escorting' her like a gentleman, at least for a while. His mind had still been on what he knew, what he suspected and what he'd seen. He tried to collect his thoughts for eventually divulging it all to this allies once they gathered together again.

He turned slightly to watch as people raced past and out of the current car they were in. Just as he was about to open his mouth to say something to Sil, he heard...or maybe 'felt'...something, a voice, or maybe it wasn't a voice really. He slowly looked around, his eyes narrow slightly. But it sounded far away and not in the car with them.

After they sat down, he closed his eyes to focus but Sil was talking to him. He opened his eyes and looked at her. "There is a bigger...puzzle, or something, at work, I agree. I'm happy to tell what I know once we are all together again, though it's....fragmented at best, and definitely strange."

He frowned slightly. "Now, I apologize, but I need to...try something and focus." Then he closed his eyes once more and concentrated on the voice, on the feeling, trying to see what it wanted him to know.

(OOC: Those who are ready can meet up in the Wrap-up conversation.)

Update! 7:25 am November 11, 1908

Ms.Sanderson:

 The guard comes in and tips his hat at you, "thank you kindly miss. We'd been somewhat detained at the scene." He quickly takes the waiter into custody. "Perhaps they should start being a bit more selective with the help..."

Phoenix:

 James quickly determines the best way to eliminate the snow-covered tracks and then loses no time to execute the maneuver. He follows the tracks back and is thankful there was no sleet or freezing rain in the forecast.

 Davin and Rose:

 The Conductor comes into the space between the cars scratching his head, "Where'd that fellow go with the stiff coat? Anyway, do you think those canisters are safe to move? I think my man has the murderer upfront."

 It's no joke to the Conductor who seems to be having a very bad day. His whole face is a sheen of sweat and his normally welcoming face is trying very hard to maintain his composure.

Luminary:

 Reaching into the place where the faraway sound in his mind, he tried to pry it loose, to bring it forward. Finally, he was rewarded with the feeling he'd flipped a switch, and locked in on the radio frequency. A young female voice responded, ">>..Hello, who is this?.. Is this you? Nic?..<<"

Sil:

 As Nic seems preoccupied with his meditation for the moment, she doesn't see the harm in taking care of herself for a while now. Things seemed to have settled down and so she could enjoy the scenery and regain some of that constitution if she so chose.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:03, Mon 01 Mar 2021.

Nic strained to keep himself calm, to dampen down any surprise reactions, and keep the state he was in. He didn't want to get startled and break the tenuous connection now that he'd finally established it. Or...opened himself up to it? He wasn't sure what 'it' was still.

He...concentrated and 'thought' at the voice, Uh...hello? This is Nic. He hesitated but then kept going, Who's this?

Sil pulled her legs in and turned on her side, huddled against her seat. Her eyes remained open but unseeing as she lost consciousness and fell into a deep, restorative sleep. She breathed softly, weary beyond seeing the world, and at long last her regenerative powers returned. In sleep, she changed. Her blood vessels grew more efficient, her bones grew denser, her cardiovascular system became heightened, as her body adapted to the recent trauma of a magical curse.

For Sil Silan did not respond as a human would to magic.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:48, Sun 28 Feb 2021.