>>26197864
Our revolver was the one with the missing shots, yes?

Let's tell him we've got our .45.

>[ ] "Well, I do, but do I really need to bring it along?"
add that you've never actually shot it and have kept it at home for personal protection from burglars and the like

>>26197864
>[ ] "Of course, let me go get it."
Get the .45

>>26197898
>>26197892
Okay, so inform Officer Brian that you do have a .45, but decline to bring it out then?

>>26197898
But that'd be lying, and why would you lie to a man like him.

>>26197957
because we might be the one's responsible for the murder. We're missing two bullets and a couple hours from our memory.

>>26197949
Okay, writing with this thought in mind.

"Well, I do," You glance over to your bedroom door. You have both of the guns in there. Two guns. You're not technically lying, though you feel your stomach do a backflip. Does it really count as a murder if you were under the effects of hypnosis? If you had in fact shot those people. Kevin raises an eyebrow. Oh, right. Back to the here and now, "A .45 automatic. Do I really need to bring it along?"

Ella emits a low whistle, "Sheesh, Mr. Johnson, I had no idea that you packed that kind of heat."
"There was a burglary down the street. It's important to stay safe."
"Yeah, this place really is skid row," Kevin scratches his chin, and then glances over to your bed room door, "And I really would feel better if you brought it along Mr. Johnson. I got my own hardware, but I'd feel a lot safer if you came armed," He shakes his head, "Two men WERE just shot out in the city today, and they weren't even gangsters. It's a dangerous city out there, and I'd like to stay safe."

Right. You're sure that's Officer Brian's only motivation.

"What, and I'm supposed to be unarmed?" That's Ella, trying to lighten the mood.
"Don't worry, you got those lightning fists of yours honey, remember?" Kevin turns back to you, "So, would you mind grabbing it?"

>[ ] "No, I suppose not."
>[ ] "I would rather not, if it's all the same to you."
>[ ] "Actually, Ella can have it. I'm not the violent sort, I'm afraid."
>[ ] Other.

>>26198169
Hmm, I'm not so sure on this one.
I personally think we would want to bring it with us, but I don't think we want to seem the type to want to bring it with us.
You know?

>>26198205
Well, it's tough.

To put it plainly, are you more worried about encountering problems that will threaten your life on your jaunt with Ella and Kevin, or are you more worried about Kevin's police attention?

>>26198252
Alright, how about this.
>I would mind, but if you really deem it necessary, I will.
Then get the gun.

>>26198296
Okay, writing.

Also, I had no idea why I thought Tuesday would be a slow day for Quests. Fool me.

>>26198296
Sounds good.

>>26198319
A small thought for whilst we're waiting.

If we ever get any weird snake powers like Albigram did, we need to use our superior knowledge of taxation systems to avoid paying any.

>>26198373
I'm afraid the IRS Tax Law and BIA Tax Law may be slightly different from one another.

So magic seems to stem from your "traditions". AKA, an Indian has magic appropriate for an indian, chinaman appropriate for a chinaman. What kind of magic does a Taxman have? A paladin of justice?

"I would mind, but if you really deem it necessary," Kevin grins a little bit at this. The last part comes out as a sigh, "I will."

"Better to be prepared and not need it than need it and not be prepared," Kevin assures you, reaching over to clap you on the shoulder. You stand from the chair, leaning away to evade him, and walk in to your room.

Your dog is there, hiding under the bed. He whines a little as you walk in, looking up with pleading eyes. You kneel down, and give him a quick scratch behind the ears. You then stand, and walk for the coat rack, take off your jacket, and momentarily struggle to slip on the holster. It really is rather uncomfortable, but eventually you cinch it on, and slip on your jacket. You spare a few moments to check the mirror, and make your final adjustments. A pale, stoop necked accountant looks back at you, but it is a pale, stoop necked accountant that does not blatantly look like he's packing a pistol. You spare a few moments to hide the last of the straps, and walk out. Kevin and Ella are there, sharing a private giggle over some thing or another. Ella is the first to glance up.

"Say, Mr. Johnson, I didn't know you had a dog! What's its name?"
"Ella, c'mon," Kevin stands, getting his hat on properly, "We don't have time for this. You mind if I drive, Mr. Johnson?"

You put on your hat and gloves, and are about to answer before you see Kevin has already grabbed his keys, and is making his way out front. You guess he wasn't really asking a question. You do know you left your crowbar in your car, so maybe that wouldn't be the best thing to bring it up as it is.

>[ ] "I'll meet you there." Take your car and follow them. Spare yourself their conversation, have crowbar close at hand, and have an escape that isn't reliant on them.
>[ ] Just get in the car with them. This way, you don't have to worry about your car being identified if things go south.
>[ ] "Hang on a moment," grab your crowbar, first. Be prepared.
>[ ] Other.

>>26198590
>[ ] "Hang on a moment," grab your crowbar, first. Be prepared.
Might be a tad suspicious.

>>26198623
I don't think we should follow that course of action.
I mean, lugging a crowbar with us openly right after showing hesitance to get the gun?

>>26198590
I would suggest:
>[ ] "I'll meet you there." Take your car and follow them. Spare yourself their conversation, have crowbar close at hand, and have an escape that isn't reliant on them.
Since that is probably the safest option in terms of bodily harm.

but:
>[ ] Just get in the car with them. This way, you don't have to worry about your car being identified if things go south.
This option is probably the best if we want to be as not-shady as possible.

>>26198702
>>26198623
Okay, so, 1d2 then?

I love this quest, man

Rolled 2

>>26198780
Actually, make that 1d3 since I'm not entirely sure what 702 is in to here.
1) crowbar grabbin'
2) just drive
3) just ride

>>26198825
"I'll meet you there." Writing.

File: 1374631873665.jpg-(59 KB, 640x473, 5912crime6.jpg)

59 KB JPG

"I'll meet you there," You walk past the two, going to your car. You need the crowbar. And besides that, if things went wrong, you couldn't be sure about matters with Kevin. You trusted him, as he was a police officer. But, you couldn't be certain he would trust you. As you walk past, you catch a glimpse of the two looking perturbed.

Oh, if only things could go back to being simple.

You remembered where the crime scene was- it was not very far from the church, and from your dentist for that matter. Kevin, for his part is easy to follow- a nice, shiny Ford Runabout he has. A policeman's salary has its perks you suppose.

As you park, you check your watch. 6:09PM. Unfortunately, still light out, and there's a great deal of foot traffic going to and fro in front of the alley way that's been taped off. Only one policeman there, leaning against a wall, glancing left and right. An older man with a walrus style mustache starting to get salted with old age. You here a clank of car doors, and glance behind you to see that Kevin and Ella parked behind you, and are walking forward. Kevin frowns at the witnesses.

"Well, there's Frank- I know him. I can get us in, but...Seems awfully crowded here. You sure you want to take a look, Mr. Johnson?" You are sure it's paranoia speaking, but right now, paranoia is like an old friend that you're unsure why you ever got estranged from, and paranoia says that Kevin sure sounds a bit too eager to hear your answer.

>[ ] "Yes, we have to do this sooner rather than later. Things might slip away otherwise."
>[ ] "No, you're right. Let's head elsewhere."
>>[ ] "Let's see why the BIA is interested in a dog breeder."
>>[ ] "Let's see what this large BIA man does in his off time."
>>[ ] "Let's go see the Holy Rectory, maybe find out why the father there was murdered."
>>[ ] "Ever hear of a guy named Edward Call?"
>[ ] "I don't know Kevin, I thought you were in charge. What do you think? You're the one with the badge."
>[ ] Other.

>>26199211
>[ ] "I don't know Kevin, I thought you were in charge. What do you think? You're the one with the badge."
Let him decide.

>>26199211
>A policeman's salary.
Oh god, he's a corrupt cop isn't he?

>>26199211
>[ ] "Yes, we have to do this sooner rather than later. Things might slip away otherwise."

>>26199211
>[ ] "I don't know Kevin, I thought you were in charge. What do you think? You're the one with the badge."

Try exerting your police authority here, officer.

>>26199379
>>26199304
Writing.

>>26199211
man this is a fast pace! slow down a bit QM.

>>26199446
um, well, not THAT slow Internal Revenue QM. i'm caught up now.

"I don't know," You open your mouth, about to say Kevin, before thinking better of it, "Officer Brian. I thought you were in charge. What do you think we should do?"

Kevin raises an eyebrow at that, before nodding, "Of course you're right, Mr. Johnson. Be right back. Hey, Frank!"

He waves to the officer guarding the scene, and a quick conferral occurs, mostly out of your range of hearing, before a hearty hand shake finishes it off, and Kevin walks back nodding, "He'll keep the scene clear for us. I do think that Mr. Johnson's on a good track here, I'd like to come back, and Frank promised to keep the place clear. You willing to follow my lead, tax man?"
"Kevin," Ella sounds flat, annoyed. Disapproving. Kevin regards you with green eyes.
"Naturally," Some part of you really does regret telling Ella about all this now. Officer Brian seemed a domineering sort, for some reason feeling antagonized to you. Or maybe this is how people normally act, and you're just not used to it. Or maybe you had given him offense somehow.

"Sorry Ella, just making sure we're all on the same page here, even if we're not all in the same car," Really? Just because you hadn't accepted a ride from him? "I'm thinking we got about an hour until sundown. Plenty of time to take a walk around that farm mentioned in that report, the dog breeder's farm? Down by the waterfront? We should check that out."

"Is this your roundabout way of getting me a dog?" Ella's trying to be coy. Cute. You've had a bad history with farms outside of Detroit.

"If you see a nice puppy that's housebroken sweetheart, I'll think about it," Kevin smiles at her, then turns back to you, "We can just take a quick look around. See what's got the BIA interested in that place."

The Bureau for Indian Affairs intended to collect from there, you knew that much. And you knew the sorts that the Bureau tended to collect from.

>[ ] "Okay. Let's go."
>[ ] "I'd rather not..."
>[ ] "Look, let me explain things-"
>[ ] Other.

>>26199703
You reap what you sow...

>>26199719
>[ ] "Okay. Let's go."
We're packing heat and he's a cop...
We'll be fine, right?

plus I secretly want Kevin to die so we can waifu Ella
you weren't supposed to read that

>>26199719
>[ ] "Okay. Let's go."

Can't think of anything else we can do. Still feels like something's gonna bite us.

>>26199764
>>26199786
Goin' with the flow. Writing.

>>26199719
>[ ] "Okay. Let's go."
down the rabit hole we go....

>>26199764
> Oh you.jpg
i would rather not kill off our few (maybe) friends we have left.

File: 1374635042520.png-(388 KB, 621x426, haus.png)

388 KB PNG

You look at Kevin. There are his teeth again. He smiles too much. Far too much. But he was a policeman. He had to know what he was doing.

You shake away the thoughts in your head.

"Okay. Let's go," You give a nod, and a tight lipped grin to the pair of them. Things could go alright. Aside from that, if you had to explain things to them, they would think you crazy.

You drive far. Far out of town. Far out of the range of the city lights, and you are only lit by the dim light of the setting sun reflecting off of the lake's water. You find, to further frustrate you, that Kevin might not know the way- he's never been there before, you suppose it's reasonable. But still, you find yourself glancing at the sun, and seeing it touch the horizon, and start slipping away. Precious minutes of daylight, burning up. You were going beyond the boundaries of the city, beyond streetlights and neon signs. Damn Kevin. At least you had a flashlight in the glove compartment, and some road flares in the trunk. You wonder if you've remembered to put fresh batteries in them.

Finally, finally, the way is found. You see the sloping fence, and an actually well tended garden of the farm, with many low huts of kennels by the main house. Looked vaguely Georgian in its design, falsely restrained and brick. The kennels are altogether more utilitarian, wood and tin. You expected worse, actually. You suppose it makes sense, lake side property can't come cheap, and those that hold it wouldn't do to let it be underwhelming.

You follow Kevin's car as he boldly makes the turn to drive up the drive way of the house, past a wrought iron gate. He parks in front of the brick door, and as you get closer you realize it's a minor manor- you hadn't noticed it had three stories because it sinks in to the earth. There's a good ten foot walk down stairs to reach the front door of the place.

Officer Brian steps out, shining his badge, and pulling his jacket over the revolver at his hip, Ella following looking around in worry.

"Big place!" Thank you Kevin. Very incisive. Why did you not like Officer Brian? What has he done to you to merit such disdain?
"A dog breeder lives here?" Ella starts, worried.
"Dog breeding is a good business, though- I myself suspect something more illicit, but stay calm everybody," Officer Brian acts the policeman again, casting a gaze over the pair of you, "Just keep your hands to yourselves, and be sure not to tip your hand, okay? This is just a routine call. I got a call about something strange going on, and I noticed you two by the sid- nevermind, that won't work, I was taking you back home, and noticed you walking by," He points to you. You're supposed to be walking by, "And you said you heard something strange this way too. You got that? We just want to look around."

"If they don't consent to you walking in?"
"Well Mr. Johnson, why would anyone say no to an officer?" Kevin smiles again, "Do they have something to hide? That usually does the trick."
"Just...Just be careful, okay Kevin?"
"No worries. Actually, Johnson," Kevin gets a look in his eyes, "You don't look a burglar. How about while me and Ella do the talking, you go around back? Check things out?"

Was he this desperate for you to be out of his hair? You glance back to the gates. About half a football field away.

>[ ] "I fear that that would be a bit too much to ask of me. Can't I stick with you?"
>[ ] "I can do that."
>>[ ] Investigate the kennels. 3 rolls of 1d100, difficulty 50 and below.
>>[ ] Investigate the house. 3 rolls of 1d100, difficulty 55 and below.
>>[ ] Investigate down by the waterfront. 3 rolls of 1d100, difficulty 40 and below.
>[ ] "It's getting dark. Maybe we should save this for daylight?"
>[ ] Other.

>Usually, I take about 20 minutes per post...I really should work on going faster, but I tend to overwrite a great deal.

I fear that Kevin will end up attacking us and we'll have to kill him.

Rolled 25

>>26200295
>[ ] "I can do that."
>>[ ] Investigate down by the waterfront. 3 rolls of 1d100, difficulty 40 and below.
I live on the bleeding edge.

>>26200295
Waterfront.

Waiting to roll until we come to a consensus.

>>26200343
While a good start, I probably should have mentioned I take consensus before accepting rolls.

Rolled 68

>>26200295
>[ ] "I can do that."
>>[ ] Investigate down by the waterfront. 3 rolls of 1d100, difficulty 40 and below.

Dogs might get spooked, and the house is too risky for now.

>>26200386
>>26200374
>>26200343
Well, it seems to be that that's the consensus. Gimme some d100s.

Rolled 81

>>26200295
>[x] I can do that
Might as well go for waterfront.

Rolled 4

>>26200433
You got it.

Rolled 87

>>26200433

>>26200491
Thank
God

Rolled 47

>>26200295
>[ ] "I can do that."
>>[ ] Investigate the house.

Rolled 75

>>26200433
rolling

Rolled 80

>>26200433
rolling for not messing it up!

>>26200491
Well, there you go. Writing.

Also, have bad news- received a call, need to be somewhere. Great freaking timing, all things considered. But, to not be a total asshole, just be I guess that half moon of assholes, lemme write this next post, then I'll try to get back ASAP- which I'm guessing is like two to three hours. I hate my job

Rolled 100

>>26200618
STOP THAT! bad dice!

>>26200628
At least then give us something to discuss and negotiate amongst ourselves that could take several hours.

Don't go away on a simple post.

Rolled 89

>>26200708
NOOOOOOOOOO!
>>26200628
well, life happens, don't sweat it.

You raise an eyebrow at 'you don't look like a burglar.' You're not sure how well that would hold up in court.

"I can do that," You glance over to the side of the house. Kennels would mean noisy dogs, the house would have people in it, but the waterfront...

You leave Ella and Kevin. They cheerily wave you off. Adventurous duo, this pair.

You go through the fields, skulking low- you fervently pray you're not spotted. You don't hear anything or anyone, though you do spot lights on in the windows of the manor, along with an occasional shadow that crosses in front of the soft yellow light. One of those shadows seems to wait at the window, and you hope in vain for it to pass away as you go down the manicured lawn, making for the water front.

The way to the shore is not even or gentle, it's a great deal of broken up rocks with a stairway cut in to them, that that then leads to an unpleasantly mossy wetland with a single dock jutting out in to the lake. By that dock, two boats- a rather large sailboat that might once have been luxurious, but rot and ill care have made ghastly, and across from it, a slim and conspicuous Hacker motorboat. A pretty penny had to be spent on that.

Strange to have such a fine vessel rot here, when everything else in the house is so well taken care of. You hear off in the distance a short knock on the door. Some discussion floats your way- you can't hear the details, but you do hear the door shut, and the conversation fade away. Presumably, Kevin and Ella found their way inside the house. But from your perspective you can see the rear of the house- a glass green house covers the rear, filled with greenery.

You hear a distant growl. Then the clack of what sounds like iron on concrete. Slow, heavy, dull noises.

You see a figure coming out of the green house now, coming out the back- he makes his way to the far side of the house from you- thankfully it seems the figure did not spot you. They seem to be going for the kennels. Very tall looking fellow- you can't make it out in the dim of the dark and moon light, but it looks like he wears a hunting coat and some kind of long cap. You catch the glint of a chain in one hand, and the dull shine of a leather collar in the other. Six feet tall?

Out at the water, you hear a short bark of laughter from the sail boat, and then a chorus of shhs and shushes. Evidently there are people within the boat, to your surprise. You'd have wagered it a safety hazard unfit for human habitation. From your spot hiding among the rocks, you can't see anyone within the sail boat. Not even light.

As the figure clacks away- what is he wearing, tap shoes? You see he's left the green house open. Again, that laughter from the water. They could not have seen you, you hope.

>[ ] Enter the green house, aiming to get in to the manor.
>[ ] Follow the tall man.
>[ ] Investigate the sail boat.
>[ ] Return to the front door.
>[ ] Other.

>>26200913
>And with that, my fervent apologies, I'll be back in two to three hours. I'm sorry I have to be so shitty tonight.

>>26200913
>[ ] Investigate the sail boat.

>>26200913
Could it be?
Mr. Call?
>[ ] Follow the tall man.

>>26200929
It's not your fault, my thanks for running the quest.

Rolled 60

>>26200913
>[ ] Follow the tall man.
>>26200960
not a good idea. we're not all that good in a fight by our rolls. and there seems to be several possable foes. but the lone man could lead us to more clues.

>>26200913
>>26200929

Alright. I guess we'll be discussing the next plan of action (with its own merits) til ya come back.

I'm gonna go for.
>[ ] Follow the tall man.

The boat may just be vagrants or people totally not affiliated with the house residents, but the tall man came from inside the house.
Kevin and Ella already have the house covered.

Anyone else suspecting that Kevin might be indebted to someone with connections to the "magic" side without him realizing it?

Am I just reading it wrong or did it seem like Ella and Kevin had seen our dog in the living room, while we found him under the bed. I'm only mentioning it because we're investigating this breeder.

>>26202928
I think it must have been that they had heard our dog when he whined.

I don't think it's something to be suspicious about...

>>26200913
>[ ] Enter the green house, aiming to get in to the manor.

>>26202961
Or our dog followed us out of our bedroom when we left with our pistol.

I personally am VERY worried about Ella. IM's been subtle about it, but he's laid the clues out for us to find.

There's been far too much emphasis on Kevin's Teeth and Smile, right after we got some kind of entropy curse laid on us that destroyed 5 of our molars.

He's been way to interested in our reactions to the situations he's put us in, right after we had a dream of supernatural beings testing our morals and choices.

And Ella is so overly smitten with this guy that it's ridiculous... and we've never heard any kind of whisper about him until now, right after we had our mind wiped, with only the memory of Call being 'a funny man'.

I think we need to have a hand on our .45 and a strong eye on Kevin whenever he's around, because there is something clearly WRONG with him, and Paranoia is our estranged best friend at the moment.

>>26203956
I was getting a real off vibe about Kevin too. But I don't know if we're just overreacting or what, man.

>>26203956
This guy knows what's up.

It might just be our own paranoia's sneaking into the forefront though...

I still think we should be extra careful.
We've done well so far by bringing the gun, driving ourselves, and not sticking with Kevin entirely the entire time.

>>26204102
We're going to be paranoid. And because of that, we're going to be alive.

Argh. Old people, a blackout, and tape backups, never a good mix.

Okay, calling it for following the tall man. Writing.

>>26205387
Welcome back.

It's not like you can lose track of the big guy. A last glance at the sail boat, then you're off across the rocks and grass, moving carefully after the large fellow.

He smells foul. As soon as the wind turns, you catch a whiff of something that smells dank and rotted, like somebody left a piece of meat to soak outside. The tall man, hunched over as he is, also seems to be grousing to himself- all you can catch are the faint vestiges of noiseless frustration on the wind. As you follow after him, you catch a glimpse through the green house to the manor doors within- parlor windows give you a glimpse of someone at a dining room table, sitting down, facing away from the window. An elegant evening dress, and long, old fashioned hair done up in a bun is all you see, before your target turns the corner for the kennels, and you have to hurry after him.

You stop at the corner, and peer around to see the fellow jerking at the padlock to lead in to the kennels, growling in frustration with it. You see he actually has a very long robe that actually drags on the dirt- probably a bath robe, if you had to guess, though within the past few days even something as innocuous as a man's bath robe takes on sinister overtones in the dark. The gate squeals aside, finally. You hear a chorus of answering whimpers, and then a growl silences them.

That came from the large figure. You catch a flash of- something. Something shining like metal, where the man's head is. Then he sweeps in to the kennels, chain and collar on hand, click clacking noisily all the while.

"Inside now? It should be starting."

You hear that from behind you, at the boat dock. A glance back reveals two figures walking up, and to the manor. They're bearing flash lights. Which may be a problem, if they sweep your way.

>[ ] Hide here. 3 1d100 rolls, 50 and below success.
>[ ] Round the corner to get out of their way, but put you at risk of notice from the tall man.
>[ ] Approach them. Try to act natural.
>[ ] Other.

>>26205582
>[ ] Hide here.

Then we can investigate the boat once they are gone.

>>26205582
>[ ] Hide here. 3 1d100 rolls, 50 and below success.

>>26205582
>[ ] Hide here. 3 1d100 rolls, 50 and below success.

Rolled 42

>>26205582

>>26205667
>>26205647
>>26205625
By which I mean roll. Gah.

Rolled 5

>>26205683

Rolled 34

>>26205672
So, do we roll for hiding now?

>>26205673
>>26205694
>>26205695

We are inconspicuous.

>>26205695
>>26205694
>>26205673
That's a first, three successes.

And yes, rolling for hiding was what should have happened. I was being dumb. Writing.

Rolled 23

>>26205683

Rolled 10

>>26205673
>>26205694
>>26205695
We don't stand out.

Period.

>>26205740
I dunno if Timothy is gonna be impressed or depressed about this.

You don't fancy getting near dogs. Not that you have a problem with dogs, but, barring your own dog, dogs have problems with you. You glance at the pair, and then manage to find cover behind a statue.

You're easy to overlook. Another face in the crowd- or in this case, another statue in the yard. You manage to get a good luck at the pair- a rangy man in a slouch hat, wearing trousers and a thin silk shirt he was trying to button up. In the light of the house, you see he has very sunken eyes, blue eyes at that. Taller than his companion, a short, stocky man that looked well muscled, like a footballer, and was wearing a college sweater along with baggy trousers. Looked young, sunken cheeked, blue eyed like his friend. They seemed close, judging from the merry back slaps that Slouch Hat was giving to College.

"Thank you, Lee, that was most enlightening," College has a bit of a stuffy nose. You take another peek- no, he has something that he's putting to his nose he's gotten from a little snuff box.
"Ah, don't worry about it kid, happens all the time," Foreign accent on this one, not one you can place. Impeccable English though, aside from pronunciation, "You'll learn the business soon enough."
" 'The business,' a rather blasé way to put it, don't you think?" He mispronounces blasé, "I know that it's just work as usual for you, but for me-"
"Everyone's gotta learn kiddo-" The man you guess is Lee pulls up his hat, and scans the yard. He glances over you, and then past you, not registering your presence, as he sweeps his light left, right, all around, but at your statue, "-and the best way of learning is doing."
"Sink or swim then?" College sounds mournful at that.
"Sink or swim, hah!" Lee laughs loud at this, delays at the door, points to College, "You, oh scion of the Strahans, will not sink. I was paid plenty to make sure of that. Aside from that, what's the worst that can happen?"

"Getting struck down by an angry god?" Murmurs the Strahan.
"No, the worst that'll happen is you'll puke it up, and we never come back to this god awful place, I mean, shwew," Lee spares another glance around, waving his flash light, "No personality at all here. Mrs. Abbot is pretty prim and proper, considering her trade."
"Dog shows are refined, they have an origin in Europea-"
"Not THAT trade, dummy!" Lee seems about to expound, but stops himself. Shakes his head, "Enough talking out here. You ready?"
"Yes sir, Mr. Lee sir."
"Cut out the sarcasm. You got your silverware?"
The scion of Strahan pats his belly miserably. You hear distant clinks.
"Okay, good, but, uh, don't do that again. S'Dangerous. Remember, don't lose sight of me. If Mrs. Abbot feels like taking you to another room, be as polite as possible, but DON'T. Run like Hell if ya gotta."
"Yes sir."
"And also, remember what I said about the dogs? Just steer clear of-"

They move inside the greenhouse, their words fading away. Just at a good point. Still, you were lucky they spent all this time talking to one another at least outside. Now you know two people here. Apparently, there's to be an event?

You also hear from the kennels a sharp yelp. Then, again, the click clack of too loud shoes. You can stay hidden here, and try to spy on the fellow- but that could be dangerous.

>[ ] Stay hiding. Easier roll to hide, 3 1d100 rolls, 55 and below succeed.
>[ ] Enter the green house after Lee and the Strahan boy. Quietly. 3 1d100, 45 and below succeed.
>[ ] Enter the green house after Lee and the Strahan boy. Publicly.
>[ ] Go to the boat.
>[ ] Go to the front door.
>[ ] Other.

>>26205951
>[ ] Go to the boat.

>You got your silverware?
I'm making note of this. When we get a briefcase, we'll get a silver pocket watch too.

>>26206007
...Fuck, I just realized I forgot to mark the thread number. Balls.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know, last thread actually you bought your briefcase. It's a fine briefcase.

You left it in the car for now.

>>26206029
>[ ] Enter the green house after Lee and the Strahan boy. Quietly. 3 1d100, 45 and below succeed.

Colour me interested.

Rolled 34

>>26205951
>[ ] Enter the green house after Lee and the Strahan boy. Quietly. 3 1d100, 45 and below succeed.

>>26206054
>>26206048
Alright, calling it for sneaking in the green house.

Make your rolls.

Rolled 23

>>26206071
Dice don't screw me now!

Rolled 16

>>26206071

Rolled 28

>>26206029
Ah, my fault actually. I just realized that too and that upon checking the last thread, we do indeed have something silver in our possession.

The dented, silver pocket watch. Still don't know the relevance of silver here, of course.

>>26206071
Making them rolls.

Rolled 23

>>26206071

>>26206086
>>26206093
>>26206095
We are on a roll today!

>>26206095
>>26206093
>>26206086
Timothy apparently has a gift for sneaking. Writing.

>>26206086
>>26206093
>>26206095
You three have done well.

You breathe out. You glance behind, to the figure coming around the corner. Again, the terrible stench comes on the breeze, and you gag, surreptitiously dashing for the greenhouse. You enter, and the atmosphere changes to a jungle.

It's bright in here- electric lights are rigged up across the glass ceiling, and yet that doesn't seem enough to explain it to you. The air is humid, so humid and filled with all manner of strange and exotic scents, that amidst the swaying ferns and blooming flowers, you feel as if that you had stepped in to an African jungle, and you expected at any moment some manner of savage beast to leap from the brush and savage you. Where outside there is order, life carefully curbed and cut to grow to appeal, inside there is chaos, unkempt greenery. Strange.

"-the master of the dogs. His dogs'll bite, and its good for a young man to get bit every now and then. Reminds you you're mortal. But him? He'll take you below."
"Where did Mrs. Abbot get such a...man anyway? Especially considering her, ah, condition, I wouldn't think she'd be able to travel that far. It's not an American native, that I can be sure."
"I think she got it in Belgrade, actually."

The pair. The strange pair are ahead of you, meandering along the path to the door. You regain your focus from all the bright plants and strange botany on display, and crouch behind a table to listen in on them.

"Yugoslavia? Doesn't seem proper for a woman of her character to go there."
"Oh, well, Mrs. Abbot isn't really a proper woman in the first place, so it's fitting."
Lee cracks up at this. The Strahan boy stays very silent.

"That doesn't seem very smart, joking about such things in her house, Lee."
"Ah, don't worry about it. You stay proper, I keep you safe. Nothing in the contract said I had to stay safe."

They walk through the double doors, in to the manor itself. You can hear the tall man's shoes outside.

>[ ] Follow them in to the house.
>[ ] Hide in the green house.
>[ ] Other.

>>26206318
I seriously wonder what Kevin and Ella are up to right now...

I'm gonna suggest we double back and get out of there.

>>26206318
>[ ] Follow them in to the house.
>>26206340
They can probably handle themselves.

>>26206358
>>26206340
Hm. Tie.

Double back outside- hopefully dodging the tall man, and go for the front door to assist Kevin and Ella? Or sneak on in to the house?

>>26206442
Sneak in

>>26206452
This is a sneaking mission it is. Writing.

File: 1374656845461.png-(472 KB, 447x631, Abbot.png)

472 KB PNG

Rolled 71, 99, 80 = 250

You figure to yourself that you have no desire to be caught by the tall man. Not to mention, you were interested in this pair's conversation.

You follow, and find it much easier with the greenery to cover you. You shadow them, as they step in to a sitting room, and hesitate. You wait at the door on the other side, sparing a glance through the window.

"Now, remember, I handle the introduction, but you interrupt me-"
"Yes, you keep mentioning this, but you don't specify WHERE I should interrupt."
"Oh, you'll know. Don't worry Chuck, just be confident, and you'll get through this just dandy."
"Lee, I have no confid-"

They are quite alone in the sitting room, but then you see a flicker of light. And then, in one of the larger sofas, you see an elegant, older woman sitting, one leg over the other, a soft grin on her face. You can only see her in profile, but it does seem the dark clings to her.

"Mr. Strahan," Her voice sounds like a feather falling, "And Lee. How good it is to see you."

"'Ello love," Lee gives a bow, and takes off his hat, "Just talking about you."
"I gathered that," Mrs. Abbot stands then, putting her fingers together in contemplation, "Lee, recall what happened when last you were here, in this room?"
"Last time? Well, I was barely more than, what, ten when I was here? And that was just because one of your friends took a certain fancy to me."
"A fine guest you were then. Is that what brings Mr. Eric Strahan's firstborn here? Did you take a fancy to him?"
"Well I-"
The younger Strahan must have realized this was the point to interrupt, "No ma'am. My, ah, my father and Lee took to conversing about my...Future. We felt that you would be able to help with this."

A laugh like rain on the window.

"Oh come now child, don't beat around the bush so! Fear not. I received your father's letter. We shall have our feast. Though, there are more guests than I had expected."
"Guests?" That's Lee. He doesn't like the sound of it.
"Nothing to worry about. Nothing extraordinary about them- though they were amusing. Although..." You see Mrs. Abbot turn her head to the door you're behind. You duck back.

"Something wrong?" That's Strahan.
"Must have been the wind," she murmurs, "In any case, come along. You'll need to stay here until the next moon, so I've a nice little room set for you here- Lee, do you require separate bunking, or-"
"He will," That's Strahan speaking. Mrs. Abbot laughs again.

You swallow your fear. You are a tax man. Did she imply that Ella and Kevin were caught? Or worse? Or maybe they had just left?

You hear the clack clop of footsteps coming in to the greenhouse.

>[ ] Go in to the manor sneakily. Pretend to be a guest, if anyone catches you. Look for Ella and Kevin. 3 1d100 rolls
>[ ] Hide here, until the tall man passes. 3 1d100 rolls.
>[ ] Bolt past the tall man, go for the front, get to your car.
>[ ] Approach the tall man. Speak with him civilly.
>[ ] Other.

Rolled 47

>>26206678
>[ ] Go in to the manor sneakily. Pretend to be a guest, if anyone catches you. Look for Ella and Kevin. 3 1d100 rolls
Sneaks.
Perform the sneals.

Rolled 67

>>26206678
>[ ] Go in to the manor sneakily. Pretend to be a guest, if anyone catches you. Look for Ella and Kevin. 3 1d100 rolls

We might not trust Kevin, but we did get Ella involved. We owe her enough to search.

>>26206678
>[ ] Go in to the manor sneakily. Pretend to be a guest, if anyone catches you. Look for Ella and Kevin.
Going for maximum sneaking.

>>26206726
>>26206703
>>26206699
Overwhelming majority for Timothy sneak mission. Give me 3 1d100 rolls, difficulty 50 and below for successes.

Rolled 35

>>26206737
One.

Rolled 33

>>26206737

Rolled 17

>>26206737
Let's do this.

>>26206747
>>26206751
>>26206753
Timothy "The Sneakster" Lawrence Johnson

>>26206753
>>26206751
>>26206747
Well then. Writing.

You know, technically speaking, you weren't sure if the green house counted as a violation of the law. It was kind of sort of an open space. Gray area really- with all that greenery, you were pretty sure that counted as lawn. And you couldn't get prosecuted for cutting across a lawn, could you? Well, actually, yes, you definitely could. But socially speaking, there was a certain acceptability about it.

Blatantly crossing the threshold, setting dirty shoe on rug, well, that was something else. You sincerely hoped that the consent that was given to Officer Brian could extend to you.

More important than your visions of being thrown in to a prison though, was the safety of Ella. And Officer Brian.

You creep through the house, one foot planted, shifting the weight, sneaking like some kind of vaudeville act, one careful foot in front of the other. However embarrassing you fear you are at this, you go through without any notice.

You peer after the trio, college boy, rough and tumble, and elegant lady, as they stride down a hall making for a set of stairs- they don't seem to notice you. You see Mrs. Abbot snap her fingers on the way, and an inconspicuous door in front of you opens for a footman and two maids to bustle after the the three. You notice red on the footman's starched white collar. Again, no noticing you.

As the three set away upstairs, you have the run of this floor. You hear the noise of the tall man's feet behind you. Apparently he's doing something in the green house. Time to begin searching.

>[ ] After them. Up the stairs. 3 1d100 rolls, 45 and below succeed.
>[ ] Feast? Make for the kitchen.
>[ ] Go to the now empty servant's quarters. Maybe a disguise, or a clue could be there?
>[ ] Go to the front door. Check that area.
>[ ] To the green house.
>[ ] Search for Ella and Kevin on this floor. 3 1d100 rolls, 30 and below succeed.
>[ ] Other.

>>26206894
>[ ] After them. Up the stairs.

>>26206894
>>[ ] After them. Up the stairs. 3 1d100 rolls, 45 and below succeed.

>>26206954
>>26206920
Brakes would be too loud for the stealth train. Roll 'em up.

Rolled 95

>>26206975

Rolled 31

>>26206975
We've gone this far.

Rolled 95

>>26207006
>>26206993
I'll just plug in the last.

Rolled 27, 48, 71 = 146

>>26207054
>>26207006
>>26206993

>>26207058
Okay. Writing.

File: 1374659234456.png-(46 KB, 216x193, ohgod.png)

46 KB PNG

>>26206993
>>26207054
>two 95s

Rolled 12, 64, 41 = 117

You follow at a distance. You are a ghost. An unheard breeze. The lightest breath of air. Motes of dust, dancing in the sun. Omnipresent, and unseen.

You creep after them. They ascend one flight of stairs- there's another flight of stairs, but you see something strange- some manner of red line on the step and banister. They take a left, going down the hall. You follow. Very large hall. Mrs. Abbot directs College and the maids to enter one room, two doors down, on the right. Down the dusty way, she and the footman go.

Wait. Where was Lee?

Three rolls of 1d100, 40 and below succeed.

Rolled 51

>>26207119

Let's hope for not another 95

Rolled 84

>>26207119
Time to move to deception phase.

Rolled 46

>>26207119
Ah man. We failed the search check for Ella last time...

>>26207204
>>26207193
>>26207148
Writing.

We're gonna bump right into him aren't we?

Rolled 50, 25, 75 = 150

You realize that, somewhere in the group, one of them slipped away. The man with the slouch hat. The door beside you is slightly ajar. Just as you notice it, the corner suddenly gets very, very close, and slams into your forehead. The world spins away, and you stumble, but even before you can gain your footing, an arm wraps around your neck, and throws you in to the room on to your back. The breath is knocked out of you, as you look up to a ceiling painted sky blue, with schmaltzy cherubs painted with shaky hand across it. Then, a steel toe booth plants on your belly, and pushes down, hard.

Lee shuts the door with one hand, the other drawing a long bowie knife with the other. He's looking down at you, eyes narrowed.

"Well, mate, reckon it's not your day."

You choke, unable to breath, unable to make a noise, unable to get that air you lost back in. You sound like a fish splashing out of a bowl. The man leans in, pushing down on your boat. You make a few wheezes. The knife comes in to your face.

"Here's the deal. This knife goes in your mouth. In exchange, I let you breathe. You make no noise, save for the gasping and crying you'll probably do to get your breath back, right?"

Quiet? He wants you to be quiet? Your gun. He must not realize you have a gun. You size him up, from below.

>[ ] Cooperate.
>All of below require rolls. Difficulty to be determined.
>[ ] Try to shoot him.
>[ ] Struggle out of his grip. Dice 3 1d100s,
>[ ] Kick him in the twig and berries.
>[ ] Other.

>>26207325
>[ ] Cooperate.

As much as I want to do one of the others, we don't want to die.

>>26207325
>[ ] Kick him in the twig and berries.

Since he went for the attack, no need to be reserved about this.

>>26207325
>[ ] Cooperate.

>>26207368
>>26207351
Cooperation it is. Writing.

File: 1374661905992.png-(1.05 MB, 651x948, DangerousWeapons.png)

1.05 MB PNG

Well. This certainly wasn't as planned. You look him up and down. Strong man. Well, maybe you could- no. No, let's not risk it.

You nod, near as you can in the middle of your body's panic to breath. The man nods, and with a last push from his boot, kneels heavily on your right shoulder, the knife held in a reverse grip, and coming to you. You are painfully aware that there are chips and red stains on it, along with "Gallipoli" scratched in to it. Your sudden joy at being able to breathe again is somewhat soured by the cold blade of the knife serving as a tongue depressor.

The man's blue eyes narrow, as he takes his free hand and roots about your pockets. He scowls at the holster, but otherwise doesn't interfere, instead pulling out your wallet. He flips it open, raises an eyebrow.

"Right, well, this has gotta be a fake. Either that, or you're one of the greatest fools I've encountered yet in my life. Alright, first things first, and be aware, I DO know when you're lying," Lee leans in, and you can feel the point of the knife prickle the back of your tongue, "Are you human? Are you one of Nikolai's lot? Are you acting on behalf of the Bureau of Indian Affairs? Do you have any designs for Strahan? And are you working for the Queen Bitch? And remember- I am the one with the knife here, savvy?"

He leans back, thankfully pulling the knife from your mouth. You still are trying to grasp breath. He's still on top of you, and doesn't seem willing to move any time soon.

>[ ] Scream for help.
>[ ] Answer honestly. Yes, no, no, no, God no, please don't kill me.
>[ ] Let's try lying. 3 1d100s.
>>[ ] "I am no mere human, I am a minotaur! Unhand me wretch!"
>>[ ] "Yeah, I'm one of Nikolai's. What of it?"
>>[ ] "Tom sent me. I recommend unhanding a servant of the United States, before things get really bad for you."
>>[ ] "Strahan is my objective, yes. Along with the rest of us."
>>[ ] "Yes. I am her servant."
>[ ] Kick him, quick, and run. 3 1d100s, difficult.
>[ ] Other

>>26207556
>>[ ] "I am no mere human, I am a minotaur! Unhand me wretch!"
I want to do this really, really badly, but we definitely shouldn't do this.

>>26207556
>[ ] Answer honestly. Yes, no, no, no, God no, please don't kill me.

>[ ] Other
Vaguely explain we're looking for our companions.

>>26207556
>[ ] Other

"You tell me."

Show him the broken silver watch and your missing molars.

>>26207556
>[ ] Answer honestly. Yes, no, no, no, God no, please don't kill me.

>>26207619
>>26207596
Okay, going with this.

"Yes," You cough, sitting up a bit- when you do so, you see the knife come up and point at you, so you resolve yourself to laying on the floor, "Yes, just a regular human-"
"Well, you're stupider than most. Keep going."
"I have no idea who Nikolai might be, not acting for the Bureau for Indian Affairs, have absolutely no plans for Strahan, and well, I'd rather not repeat what you said, but no, I'm not working for her either."

Lee raises an eyebrow.

"That's the whole truth?"
"Nothing but," You cough, "I, I just wanted to find my friends, they came in here-"
"Friends, eh?" The man snorts at that, "And why were you skulking behind us then? You one of those 'guests' that Mrs. Abbot mentioned?"
"Well, I believe my companions were among them-"
"If they don't have an invite son, their goose is cooked," Lee waves his knife, "And believe you me, I refuse to believe that you stumbled here 'by accident,' so you'll have no tears from me."
"One is a policeman."
"Oh," Lee frowns, "That's different then, that is. Wait, a cop? What's a cop doing out here? Mrs. Abbot, last I heard, was on the good side of Merit and-" He stops rolls his eyes, "Let me guess, you don't know about Merit either. Whatever," Lee digs into the pocket of his pants, "You, as it turns out, could be a fair bit of good for me, friend. If I can just-"

There's a knock at the door.

"Lee?" Mrs. Abbot's voice, "Are you in there? I don't believe I gave you that room."
"Rats," Lee looks over at you. He seems to be appraising you.

>[ ] Hide under the bed.
>[ ] Go out the window.
>[ ] Stay where you are.
>[ ] Call for help.
>[ ] Other.

>>26207826
>[ ] Hide under the bed.

We may want to listen in on their conversation.

>>26207826
>[ ] Hide under the bed.

>>26207850
>>26207896
Under the bed. Writing.

You spare a glance to Lee in desperation. He shrugs.

Well. Here goes.

You dive underneath the bed, and Lee nods appreciatively, only stopping you to hand you your wallet back.

"Lee?" Another rap on the door, "Answer me!"
"Sorry love, just getting decent!" Sequestered in your crawl space, you see the heavy, mud stained boots of Lee's to the bed, and then you hear the creak of bed springs above you, "Right, come on in then!"

The door slides open, and you can see the fancy high heels of a bygone era in the door way. They tap impatiently, before entering the room, "I don't know how it is back from where you come from, but over here, a lady could resent that form of language."
"Ah, don't be so sour. We go way back you and I, drop the airs for once. Hell, the boy isn't even in ear shot if you're trying to keep your dignity."
"That's hardly the point, Lee. So, you like this room then?"

Lee gives a few, hazardous bounces to the bed. Dust streams down. Tickles your nose.

"I think I do, I think I do. Bed seems sturdy enough, and room has a nice view."

You feel a sneeze coming on.

"Yes. Now, Lee, remember those guests I had mentioned earlier?" Her voice has lowered a register. You feel a itch crawling down your sinuses, and you desperately try to restrain yourself.

"It was, maybe five minutes ago. You think I'm losing it in my old age?"
"There were two cars outside. One of them had a crowbar in it. You took your boat, right?"
"That leaky tub? Of course."
"Then we're still missing someone."
"Hmmm. Puzzler that."

You will yourself not to breathe.

Rolled 73

"Quite. Golomir has been looking, but there is no one on the grounds that is unexpected. Still, bright side is that at least it does mean that we can spare the Strahan boy the pain of a hunt. It does mean I'll need to call in outside aid though."
"Oh, ghastly."
"Indeed. I was wondering..."
"What, going to the Tongs? To the loa minders?"
"No, I was wondering if you could do me a favor, and look up a Mr. Call."
"And leave Strahan in your hands? Please ma'am. I signed a contract. My blood is on the line. Get your pet freak to do it."
"Are you mad? He has all the subtlety of an artillery bombardment. No, no Mr. Lee, I need a reliable, resilient man such as yourself for this."
"Mr. Call scare you that much?"

The lights flicker. All of a sudden, those old, gaudy heels a are a great deal closer to the army boots. Things are quiet, for a long while. Eventually, she breaks the silence first.

"When I took you in, you were a ragged, filthy, degenerate mess. I was the one that showed you the way. But I didn't show you everything, Lee. Keep that in mind."

"...Yes ma'am."

"Don't you forget it."

The heels step back, and walk for the door. You allow yourself to breathe again.

"Oh, actually, Abbie?" Lee's swagger somewhat comes back to him, "Just one last thing?"

The heels turn in the doorway.

"Your security is shite," The army boots straighten, and he stands from the bed, "Check under the bed. That one's on the house. I'm going to go do the job I was actually paid for, alright?"

He walks away. You feel your heart leap in your throat. The lights flicker.

>And I think that's that for me tonight. 4:34AM, bleh.

>See you Thursday, 6:00PM.

>>26208246
Thanks, IR.
See you then.

>>26208246
Alright, g'night.

And I have reason to assume that Kevin may be privy to info about our involvement with Mr. McIntyre. Our prints are still with that Webley that we forgot in the apartment.

>>26208246
Thanks for running this QM

Anybody archive this yet?

>>26208900
Now it is. Thanks for the reminder.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/26197864/

>>26197864
Apologies for the off-topic post but could you put "quest" somewhere in the OP next time? Thank you.

Well these guys are either werewolves or vampires.