[center][H3][color=#840810]♤ ATTICUS MAC CLEIRICH[/color] [color=gray]//[/color] [color=black]♤[/color][/H3][/center]

[color=#840810][b]The Home of Alice Trune
Salem, Massachussets 
2:20 PM[/b][/color]

Atticus was smiling as he took Nestor’s proffered hand, and shook it warmly. 

“It has been awhile, Nestor. Too long.”

A wave of welcome nostalgia lapped at Atticus as he accepted the cigarette from the demonspawn. The two sons of Hell had been comrades in the last battle for the salvation of the world, and it was a bond that Atticus was not soon to forget. 

Snapping his fingers to produce a small flame, Atticus lit the cigarette, and gave Nestor a knowing look as he took a drag. “I haven’t worked with any of the others before, but most of their reputations precede them. If Archibald Bain called upon them personally, apocalypse certainly isn’t out of the question.”

Atticus’ crimson eyes tracked along with an approaching car, and when it was clear that its destination was the house, Atticus stepped towards the drive. He blew out a small cloud of smoke as he did so, and smirked at Nestor. “We’re getting too old for this shit, buddy.”

The car door opened, and Atticus moved to greet the new arrival. He was instantly intrigued by the figure that fumbled out of the vehicle, and into the cool afternoon air. Though dressed impeccably, complete with a fine hat and a bespoke doctor’s case, it was impossible for Atticus to not take note of the man’s grotesque features. The Veiled World was filled with all manner of creature and being, and Atticus was familiar with many. However, whatever classification this man belonged to was a wholly new one for the incubus. Atticus’ senses could glean little from the man that his traditional senses could not--the stench that wafted from him was almost all encompassing. 

Atticus kept his expression pleasantly impassive as the man introduced himself as Dr. Leonard Winfield. Shaking the doctor’s hand, Atticus gave him a polite nod. “The pleasure is all mine, Dr. Winfield, and thank you for joining our team. I’m sure we’ll have the opportunity to both benefit from our time spent together on this case. If Archibald Bain sent for you personally, you must be a gifted prospect for the company, apprentice or not.”

Dr. Winfield moved to extend a greeting to Nestor, and Atticus turned towards the house. He took one final drag off the cigarette before smashing it beneath his boot. As he ground the cherry into the dirt, Atticus felt something ripple through the air. It was a nearly imperceptible disturbance, but it set the hair at the back of his neck to prickling nonetheless. Beneath his coat, the inked demons on his flesh narrowed their eyes suspiciously. In the next moment, Atticus heard the sounds of a sharp bark, and a canine whine. Turning towards the forest, his deep set eyes lifted along with his full attention.

The woman that emerged from amongst the trees was lithe, dark, and exuded a rough feminine quality that was both attractive and mysterious. This could only be the fabled ghostly-shapeshifter known as The Black Dog. Atticus knew only a little of her from her time with the Bain & Hoyle Company, and the few references made by the werewolf Reginald Hoyle. 

“You must be Fei?” Atticus said. Facing her, he bent at the waist, and did his best lupin impression of a humble greeting. It was an affectation a werewolf friend had taught him years ago, and Atticus hoped he was not too far out of practice. “My name is Atticus Mac Cléirich, and I’m the agent in charge of this team.”

Standing erect, Atticus swept a hand back to encompass Nestor and Dr. Winfield. He was about to introduce them to the Black Dog as well, when a Jeep rattled its way up the gravel drive. Atticus fell silent, not wanting to try and talk over the din of the thing.

Atticus pushed his hands into the pockets of his jacket as a massive, dangerous looking man stepped out of the Jeep. From the oil slick depths of his eyes to the broad set of his shoulders, the newcomer’s presence was imposing--even in spite of his utterly silent steps. Atticus could also feel the otherworldly power nestled within the man, and he knew that this had to be the being known as Ahanu.

[i]Nestor was right,[/i] Atticus thought. [i]Are we starting an apocalypse? Or ending one?[/i]

Nodding in agreement at Ahanu’s statement, Atticus moved towards the side door of the house. “You’re right, of course. We can get started, and I’ll catch up the last member of our team when she arrives…”

As he spoke, there was a flurry of fading black feathers, purple hair, and a wide, radiant smile. Atticus snorted a short laugh at Sal, and smiled. “Speak of the Devil, and apparently wizards appear. Glad you could make it, Ms. Lou. We were just getting the investigation underway.”

Turning back to the side entrance, Atticus gripped the doorknob. Focusing, his eyes narrowing, the incubus forced infernal energy through his fingers, and into the brass fixture. Inside, the thin tumblers and springs warped and twisted beneath the onslaught of the focused channel of hellfire, and in a few seconds the door popped inward with a screech of old hinges. 

Stepping aside, Atticus turned to address the five members of his team. Tilting his bearded chin up slightly, Atticus spoke loudly and clearly. 

“You were all handpicked by Archibald Bain for this assignment. That alone speaks volumes, so it’s an honor to get to work with you. Once again, my name is Atticus, and I’m the agent leading this team and this investigation. If you need anything, or have any concerns, come to me first. I’ll do what I can.”

Atticus paused to give the group a determined look. His eyes were bright with conviction, and the afterglow of what could only be a distant memory of boyish excitement. “Let’s get to work.”
[hr]

[CENTER][h3][color=f26522]I M P O R T A N T   I M P O R T A N T   I M P O R T A N T[/color][/h3][/CENTER]
[hider=EXPAND]
[color=ed1c24][b]GM Notes:[/b][/color] Characters are free to explore anywhere on the house or grounds. You can describe any of the rooms or areas however you like, as long as it won’t affect the core facts I’ve outlined in previous postings (i.e. the witch that opened the demonic portal had blonde hair and blue eyes, and was not a unicorn). 

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Jl7eT8n.png[/img][/center]

[color=ed1c24][b]Clues:[/b][/color] Jinkies! There will be important clues that I sometimes list that are related to the core storyline of the RP. Since it would take a crazy long time for me to coordinate with each of you for you posts in advance, I’m going to list them here. Your characters are free to find these clues, interpret them as they see fit, or even miss them. I’ll leave that up to you, as each of you are all badass writers/storytellers. 

[indent][color=ed1c24]Clue #1:[/color] There is a lingering, palpable demonic energy within the house and its surroundings. Especially within the conjuring room. To those familiar with this energy, it is discernible that powerful beings were summoned here, and not run-of-the-mill demons.[/indent] 

[indent][color=ed1c24]Clue #2:[/color] Within the conjuring room, above where the corpse of the witch was discovered, is a portion of large symbol scorched into the wall. The majority of it was burned away, but some remains. 
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/WLlKq1k.png[/img][/center][/indent][/hider]