Elissa nodded and made an amused sound "You need to come to the Hurricane, girl. Have you ever been in a mosh pit? Vampires are tame! Wait until you've tried mosh pit surfacing" Elissa looked as though she was at least half serious in that "Looking for talent... now that gets old. But finding talent.. ah... that doesn't. Well not yet" she gave Ann a little punch on the arm "Come on darlin' lets see if she's up"

---

Some little time later the two of them were outside Alice's house and knocking on the door

As they walked through the streets, Ann said, "Yes, I'd like to try the Hurricane after all you've told me about it. I don't think a mosh pit could be that bad. I'd just have to remember not to push anyone too hard or I might break them."

"But talking of talent, are you seeing anyone at the moment?"

"Yup" Elissa said "I tell you girl, It was more fun before the change. But fuck me, it's a lot safer now. It's almost as much fun as meeting at the back of the apollo for a blarney on saturday night. But I can't do that anymore... The mosh pit's more controlled. It's all body weight not strength, so I'm not going to accidentally do someone in"

She shook her head at the talent "Not in Cambridge. I nearly had a kiss and cuddle at the Taboo, but ... it didn't work out. But hey... I'll just wait until Mr or Mrs Right turns up. Just hope I don't end up falling for a Vampire or a Fey. What about you?"

Ann let out a laugh at the question. "No, my love life is about as dead as those vampires we keep bumping into. I can't imagine that being a Slayer is going to help with it either. What do you think, have other Slayers had tall, dark strangers turn up when they're patrolling, who know all about slaying and accept it, or even better, help out? Or did they end up loveless spinsters? Not that any of them ever lived long enough to get that old."

"But you are going to Ann." Elissa said "Live long I mean. Because we're going to do this shit properly. The Watchers ... I don't mean Alice ... are about as much use keeping you alive as a chocolate fireguard. They don't care about you as Ann, only about you as a Slayer. And when you die they get another one. So we need to do it. We need to be sure we live by our rules, not their's"

"See we fucking care, Ann. Whether we live or die I mean. And we'll find others to help. And we'll do it like soldiers do. We get R&R because otherwise we go crazy. We only go in when we're prepared. We do recon. We get the gear: I mean look at us now. You got beat on by a Vamp. Why aren't you wearing chain armour? Me too... It's not like it's hard to find: we just need to talk to a butcher."

"We accept that that we can't do everything, and sometimes we can't go in and people will be lost. We've got to not do the crazy guilt trips. And ... you need to get an... ah ... intimate partner. Someone you can kiss and cuddle with. Because otherwise you won't be able to handle the pressure. You'll have to be open with them of course: and most men folk for instance will freak at the idea of a woman stronger than they are, but hey: they are the loosers for it" she punched Ann on the arm "Let's go on the prowl tomorrow. First one to get someone else to kiss them has to buy the other a drink."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:25, Fri 28 Jan 2022.

"It's a deal then. We'll go on the pull and see who gets some action first. It's very kind of you to agree to buy me a drink," she added with a laugh.

"And yes, I'll keep myself safe. Nothing too dangerous, just a little fighting vampires to the death. And would chain armour work against a vamp's punches? Surely they'd hurt just as much. The only difference would be that we looked extremely unfashionable. Centuries too late for that sort of clothing."

Something occurred to her.

"But come to think of it, a choker might make it harder for a vamp to suck your blood."

"We can find out" Elissa had commented on the armour"It would have helped a lot against that guy with a knife though. And... that fairie had two f-ing swords... It was only two feet tall but I would like some metal between me and those swords. You know at the Hurricane... there's a couple of people that work chain mail into their leather... we can ask them... And I like the idea of a chocker. With spikes. Do you think crucifix earings and necklaces will work?"

As they arrived at Alice's home, Elissa knocked on the door, and nodded at Ann. "Tomorrow night it is. And then if you want we can patrol a different cemetary on the way back. Or we could go back and see if that faeiries there again... but I think I want to be prepared next time. She threw lightning... what can we do it protect against that? Will Alice have something cool and magical?"

If you're going to visit Alice, it would make sense to continue this in Emmanuel College.

After a chat with the GM we decided to continue this thread

Having not expected Ann to drop by tonight, Alice answered the door in a bathrobe.  Her hair was damp and currently drying in a hair towel.  She looked around and then ushered the girls into her home.  Noting the smell and state of their clothing, Alice had a pretty good ideal of what they had been doing.

"Ann, Elissa... I take it that our trip to Madingley wasn't enough?  Don't get me wrong... I like eagerness.  Have a seat and I'll put on the kettle.  This is going to be a long tale, isn't it?"

"Sorry for waking you Alice" Elissa said. Somewhat to her surprise she was a little sorry. "I suspect we'll need about two drinks worth of chatting. Sure it could wait. Maybe. But we weren't sure"

"Short form..." Elissa ticked the items off on her finger "We biffed two vampires. One of them talked about their Boss: someone called Drusi... Drasilly.. Druisilla? We also met a Faeire Fey who had entranced some kids making them danced. I'm not f-ing expert... but those kids looked like they were hooked on drugs... So maybe that Fey music is a drug. The Faeire flew away"

"We'll do the 'long form' in a bit... but what we mostly need to know is... Vamps right? We stick them in the heart with a bit of wood. What do we do to Fey? And how do we stop our selves getting blasted with faerie lighting."

"Then there is the whole fucking moral stuff. Vamps kill people and are demons. But that Fey didn't look like a demon to me. Sure it was amoral and playing with its toys, but it wasn't killing them. Maybe most important...what was the Fey doing inside the 'Iron Ward' you were talking about. If it's down..." she shrugged "Just seemed worth having a chat, and not delaying it a day"

"I wasn't asleep yet.  But clearly this is important, so let's hear it..."

The sounds of clinking cups and other kitchen sounds echoed as Alice prepped a tea tray.  She listened intently as she went about her hospitality activities.  Two vampires fought, a mention of a boss (interesting), and a Fae encounter.  She did however pause when Elissa mentioned the Fae had inside the wards.

"I think I'm going to need the exact location of this Fae encounter... so someone can look over the wards and see if there is anything amiss.  The Fae are diverse, in outlook and abilities.  I personally think they are more dangerous than the Council has classified them as, but I see the wisdom in not starting an outright war.  You are within your rights to defend yourself though."

When the kettle finished boiling, Alice prepared the teapot and then brought out a tray... along with milk, sugar, spoons, and whatever else was needed.  She poured drinks for the girls first and herself last.  Sitting down and blowing gently on her tea, Alice then asked about the vampires.

"I take it both the vampires were defeated... with no survivors?  And was anyone else injured?  I don't know this Druisilla offhand, but I'll do some checking tomorrow."

"Well for all I know it was outside the wards" Elissa admitted. "I don't actually know where they are. Perhaps if you had a map... Don't need it right this second... but it would be good to know"

"So... what can I tell you? The Fairie had a name. Aoife. She was about two feet tall, wielded twin swords and could throw lightning. The female vampire... she was called Eliza... she recognised the fairie." Elissa nodded at the 'don't start a war'. "See that's why we need this chat. You just doubled my knowledge of Fairies. All I know is shakesphere. Puck, Mab, Titania, Oberon... Those kind of faeires. Is that just a story? or for real. And 'Don't start a war' implies they are organised.  Oh.... Aoife said 'I can't chase her into Sodium light'. Was she lying. And if we need to attack one... do we use a stake?" she suspected not... but you never knew...

Elissa nodded at the 'both vampires dealt with' question "I was lucky: Aoife had blasted Eliza. Ann was just good, and took down the male vampire on her own."

Ann played down taking down the vampire on her own. "It was no big deal. His head wasn't very firmly attached to his body."

But she was getting concerned. This was beginning to feel like being in an exam she hadn't revised for.

"It seems there's a lot we don't know. Who Druisilla is. How to deal with the Fae. Miss Casey, did you manage to find out anything about Inoue's sisterhood? It feels as though we need to start putting some of the jigsaw pieces together."

"I'll just add what I know about Inuoe's background" Elissa said "Have you seen her skin. It is covered with scars and burn marks. Her 'sensei' is a misogynistic bastard that thinks a woman shouldn't touch a sword. Now maybe there are some other reasons than the obvious one about why she's been so abused, but there's one that springs to mind."

"Ignoring the obvious, like maybe for instance her sisterhood rescued her from the fucking 'sensei'... I guess that's possible but she won't say at all: she just wants to keep secrets. She's massively manipulative. Either from training or just natural talent. That burst of tears and running away was... textbook. Separate and gain sympathy. All she had to do was tell us her background, but.... I guess that inability to trust can come from constant abuse."

"She thinks I'm a hypocrite by the way, which I thought was funny. See Ann, the moment I knew my powers were relevant, I told you. I wanted to be with you when you told Alice, but I said it was Ok. Trust can only be built on truth not deceit. When our relationship was 'hey we meet once a week' that's different. Now Inuoe... she was hunting you. Found you. And pretended it was an accident. She had spells cast that warped time and space to get into your friendship circle... and didn't tell you a thing."

"So wrapping it all up: She's been trained since she was five by a bunch of people that think women are inferior, she acts as though she beleives that herself. She works for people that throw 'time isn't linear' spells around like confetti. She's been heavily abused, is highly manipulative and now she's come here to 'help' the slayer. "

"My feeling is that we have a 'duty of care' over someone so battered. If we can help her we will... but there are better qualified people. Like Refuge.  But I wouldn't trust her or her sisterhood anymore than I trust the rest of the Watchers. If she opens up maybe..."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:03, Thu 03 Feb 2022.

Alice sketched out a rough map on a sheet of scrap paper (itself coming from a neatly arranged pile) and showed it to Elissa & Ann.  Hopefully that would be able to confirm if the Fae sighting was within or outside the ward.  Also the mention of a ‘Puck’ caused Alice’s expression to darken briefly… but she don’t stop the conversation to comment.  The girls had come to her… and expected her wisdom.

"This Inuoe, was she the 'high' girl from the fencing club?  Your instincts are good, Elissa... but I feel you are too harsh in judging others.  It is fine to have preferences, but lets not write off whole organizations based on very small samples.  Like the Watchers.  That said, we should keep an eye on Inoue... for her safety and that of others.  We need to know what her motivation is and if you need to 'flex' your Slayer authority to her Ann, I'll support you all the way."

As to Ann's question, Alice could only offer a biscuit.

"I'll need more time to learn about this Sisterhood.  'Time Magic' is something not to be treated with frivolity."

Sipping her own tea, Alice posed a question of her own.

"How would you both feel about befriending one of the Fae, assuming you encountered one that was relatively benign?  Information gathering is my objective and I think we would all benefit from an inside source."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:41, Sat 05 Feb 2022.

Elissa checked the paper "Outside the ward" she said "Good... Let's make a list of cemetaries and work out which are in and out"

There are more urgent things to talk about though

"Hey who's judging. I'm just saying the same as you. Until she tells us about her motivations, and the organisation she works for... well we have to look after her, rather than cuddle her. Or send her to people that can help her. Refuge is good: specialises in abused people like her. I doubt if they get many cases as bad as her though... I've never seen such scars and burns before.".

I like your plan for getting her to talk. Sounds good."

"As for the watchers, Alice... you are the one who told me about the traditionalists. But sure... as long as they don't hurt Ann or me, I'm good"

She had to think about the Fae "The one we met... she wasn't 'benign'. I mean hell... she was like a dose of heroin. Seriously heavy drugs on those kids, If they'd died dancing for her, I don't think she would have noticed. I don't think she was 'malicious' just had power and got a kick out of using it... but that's just an 'I don't think'"

"Tell you what... before we do the Fey alliance discussion, could we do the 'how do we beat them up' discussion" Elissa had already asked but perhaps Alice hadn't noticed "And the 'what do we know about their politics'. I'd be a lot happier talking to them if I had something more effective than a cricket stump to hit her with"


This message was last edited by the player at 15:52, Sat 05 Feb 2022.

"Keeping an eye on Inoue shouldn't be difficult. I am in all her classes, after all. Though she has told us her motivation is to help me. She just doesn't seem to know what with. If we can find out something about her sisterhood, perhaps that would help us know what to do. Let's face it, if she told us herself that they were wonderful and good, we wouldn't take her word for it. But she did seem to believe that if we investigated them ourselves, we might come to trust her."

She smiled at Miss Casey when she was given the biscuit.

"I could try to befriend one of the Fae if they aren't all evil like vampires. But how would I go about that? Where could we meet a nice one? And as Elissa says, it would be good to know how to fight them first. Because although I'm happy not to, if we're amongst dangerous people, sometimes there's no other way."

"Well if she used those words, no I wouldn't" Elissa said "because if she uttered them like that they would be sarcastic words. But if she described the order, explained some of the stories of what they have done, explained the rules and guidelines... Well I have beleived everything she's said so far."

"Most people are crap at lying. If she sat there for five minutes and told us that stuff...  I would feel a hundred times better."


OOC Edited to simplify
This message was last edited by the player at 11:51, Sun 06 Feb 2022.

Something clicked in the back of Alice's mind and she moved quickly to her 'expertly boring looking' book case.  Upon finding the right book (an old diary by the the look of it), she flicked through some pages and then read a passage aloud.

"And with the crucial aid of a Deenelmaite sister, our Korean Watchers finally put an end to the 'Vampire Broker of Hong Kong'.  Many relics were recovered and vampire movements driven back to acceptable levels.  While welcoming the Deenelmaite back into our ranks remains a contentious issue, I feel the time is not right.  God willing, we will see an Asian slayer... who might unify these and other groups of 'the Mysterious East', thus making us whole once more..."

Alice closed the book.

"There we have it, the Deenelmaite are an offshoot of the Watchers.  This entry is at least a hundred years old.  Their methods and mission might differ slightly, but keeping the supernatural 'in check' seems to be a mutual goal.  If there was anything else Inoue said about her order, I'd be interested in hearing it..."

In regards to the Fae question, Alice poured herself another cup of tea.

"Lesson time, girls.  Despite their variety and unpredictable natures... the Fae do abide by a few common 'rules'.  Pure Iron can harm them and silver objects can cause pain.  I have read that sodium light and neon light can repulse them.  Lastly, there are numerous tales of the Fae having to honor a promise... and almost as many ends with them perverting such agreements.  This last rule we can make use off..."

She paused.

"It wont be easy to find 'Good Fae', but if you happen to encounter the more playful or studious ones, we can try to forge a relationship.  Consider this a precaution that might pay dividends later on.  I must admit that my posting here was to study the Fae.  I believe that they are sitting on untapped botanical resources that we might make use of.  Should you ever encounter Fae plants, I would love a sample."

"So Inoue is a kind of Watcher from Japan? That should mean she's trustworthy. And it fits with what she said about fighting against evil spirits coming to this world. And bartering her body for knowledge or the help of other spirits. I have no idea what those spirits do to her body, but I'm going to guess it isn't a full-body massage and pamper session."

Ann listened carefully to the talk of combating the Fae.

"Iron hurts them, huh? What about a good old-fashioned punch or kick? Do they hurt them too? Or am I going to have to carry around an iron bar? Or maybe just some knuckledusters? Because I'm not going to wear iron-capped boots. There are some fashion sacrifices I'm just not willing to make."

She took another sip of tea and nibbled a biscuit as she listened some more.

"I'll keep an eye out for any weird plants they have. Do we know why they keep their promises? And do we have to keep any promises that we make to them?"

"OK well I told Inuoe before 'if Ann was OK with it, I was'." Elissa said "She didn't accept the offer then, but perhaps she will now. So let's engage with Inuoe. You two set the pace"

She laughed at the talk of iron capped boots "You mean shitkickers. They are part of my fashion statement when I go to the Hurricane though Ann. So they are steel covered with leather. Does that matter? Is it just 'being iron' or does the iron have to hit their flesh" she grimaced "this is uncomfortably gory. And does it have to be 'a special magical iron' or will a kitchen knife do it? As Ann said... what do we need to carry?"

Elissa listened carefully to Alice's other list "We need to make a portable sodium light then. I mean how hard can that be? Maybe loads of sodium lights. There are fifty thousand street lights in Cambridge so it can't be that hard.... we just need someone who knows how to put things like that together. I know a girl ... I'll see if she can help. Maybe you two know people as well"

"All I know about the Fey is from Shakespeare. How accurate is it? Are the names of the kings and queen the same as in real life? Hell... is there a King and Queen?"

There were a lot of questions, but Alice tried to answer what she could.

"Pure iron objects are rarer these days... its much easier for businesses to use steel or aluminum blends.  I'm sure a slayer punch or kick will still send the Fae reeling.  We will have to look into some iron weapons later on, if we are going to have conflicts with them.  I'd also prefer to field test sodium lights and neon before relying upon them.  Tales do suggest that there is a nobility structure among Fae, but it remains murky... unless we find people in the know.  Shakespeare, fiction, and legends might lend some clues but I would not trust my life to them.  I can't say why a promise holds as much power as it does with the Fae... perhaps its a form of magic, similar to curses and prophecy."

With her hair now dry, Alice briefly excused herself to fetch a brush.

"So we have a plan for Inoue, a lead on some vampire 'boss', and are better prepared for any Fae shenanigans.  If you two continue to hunt for vampires, I'd like you to choose different locations each time.  If enough vampires go missing, they will notice sooner or later.  We want to be one step ahead of them."

"I'm beginning to wish I'd listened in my English lessons when we read Shakespeare. Actually, I started wishing I'd listened in those lessons when I got my 'O' level results. Still, we can figure the Fae out as we go along."

As Miss Casey started to brush her hair, Ann offered to style it for her "just like Farrah Fawcett".

"Why don't Elissa and I go for a patrol tomorrow night? We can try a new place and take Inoue along to help and figure out her place in this. Any suggestions on good places to hunt vamps and possibly bump into one of the nicer Fae? Perhaps we could mix it with trying out the Taboo."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:27, Mon 07 Feb 2022.

"Before we go patroling again, I want an anti-fey weapon" Elissa commented. "Last two were both affected by the Fey. Given that a cast iron pan costs about five quid I'd like to know if it's going to work. If it doesn't... well we need something."

She nodded at Ann's 'we can work out as we go along'. "Oh by the way. Coincidence? The Drama course will be doing 'A Midsummers Night Dream' at Christmas."

Inuoe was a whole other matter. In the end she nodded to Ann. "Talk to her first. She hates me at the moment. Tell her that it's up to her. As long as she doesn't diss me, I'll be nice."

"I offered her the hand of friendship, she rejected it. I offered to meet her half way in giving info and she rejected it.  I offered her a reset she rejected it. Tell her I'm offering her another reset. She'll view what I just told you differently, but" Elissa shrugged. She could care less "I can't help that. I'm offering her a reset. Tell her to take it"

She hoped that had been made clear and settled down to thinking about where to go "In the graveyards we've had two out of two hits. Vampires and Fey at both. I like the idea of the Taboo. Howabout afterwards going back to Mill Hill Cemetary. The way I see it there is a good chance our friend Druisilla will send minions to see what happened to her babies. And there's every chance Aoife will be back to play with her toys"