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The priest was an ever helpful presence. One could indulge in disbelief and mockery an entire life only to turn in an instant during moments of distress. Linda was able to muster eye contact with the man. She nodded at his sound advice of letting someone else take care of this mess. Linda extended kindness to Emily, who had a harsh moment as well upon seeing the scene, and sat down at her side on the floor. “He didn’t have any issues with anyone.” Linda commented on Keandre’s question regarding who would want to hurt the Doctor. In that moment, nearly cutting Linda’s voice and train of thought in half, Russell’s trained instincts kicked in. He seemed to react to the noise down the hall, which Linda heard herself, but was too distracted to care about. The battle hardened cop handed Linda a cellphone and urged her to call his partner. Her eyes intently followed the man’s during the instructions. When the guns came out swinging, Linda decided it was time to focus on the call. Both of the officers in the group were fired up and lucky so for all of them — it was a comfort before everything else, Linda thought. Whatever perpetrator that attempted to leave the scene would have to deal with Serena breathing down its neck.

Linda made the call to Russell’s former partner. She conveyed the instructed message and the man on the other end was already out the door. The conversation was rather short. Emily and Valerian kept busy with the scene. Everything that everyone did had to be delicate at this time. Linda kept reminding herself of all the training and education she had enjoyed up until this point. She was a psychologists after all and perhaps they were lucky she was there as well. It was at this moment that familiar voices could be heard down the hall from the direction of the elevator. Mia and Cole had arrived. Something that Valerian mumbled distracted Linda for a split second while stepping into the hallway. Linda’s attention was or tried to be on all of them. “Yes, Val, please come outside. You too, Emily. Keandre, Alex, come.” Her voice increasingly took a motherly authority. “Bernard, can you help Emily there, she seems distracted by something.” Her comment fell just moments shy of the cookie and the powder being eaten. With that said, Linda’s attention was back to the new arrivals. Cole had taken an investigative approach, but Mia was more hesitant in her movements. “Mia, something’s happened to Richard. I’m not sure if you should see it. We’re waiting for the police.” The somewhat lighter or censored version of the truth came undone by Cole, who was able to be more direct than Linda. She glanced at the man and nodded at the statement that Richard was dead.

Serena made herself known again. She seemed slightly out of breath. “I think there are varying degrees of alright here — what happened?” The question was aimed at whatever law enforcement work that had transgressed within the last five minutes or less. Linda remained in the hallway, a few steps away from the door to the Doctor’s office and his corpse. There was not much else she could do in terms of forcing anyone to do anything. As she glanced into the office again, she saw Emily experimenting with whatever that black stuff on the floor was. Linda flinched a bit at it — “Emily, don’t do that. You don’t know what that is.” Even if Bernard could handle the girl, Linda was scattered in her attentions to say the least. However, most of it remained on Serena and whatever information on the situation that could be devised from the woman’s pursuit. Sirens could be heard from outside during these exchanges of words, far off. They were close and getting closer by the second.


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M u s i c


@SilverPaw@Zoey Boey
A slight instant passed before it happened. The dark powder vanished along with the pastry into Emily’s being. By some unknown measure, through whatever connection they had to all that slumbers beyond the veil, both Valerian and Emily experienced what transpired next. A strange, metallic scent fell over both of them. It had a distinct origin within the wide room of the Doctor’s remains. In one of the corners just to the left of the entrance into the apartment was a mirror. There were hooks and storing contraptions nailed to the wall for hanging of clothes and other apparel. The frame of the mirror was at least two meters tall. The scent that could clearly be felt came from inside the reflective glass, which no longer reflected the reality around itself. The glass displayed an uncanny void with great depth. A distant sound could also be heard coming from inside. The sound was dull, muffled, as if filtered by something. It was akin to what a dream could be. It was the banging of something against thick glass, far away. There was a sense of duress in this mysterious calling, as if whatever made the noise was trapped. Peering into the mirror would defy any conceptions of reality or the surreal. A great distance away into the reflective glass was a window with what appeared to be a person behind it. One could not see the features of this individual, only a shadowy silhouette. The thing moved as if slowed by time and its hands hitting the window expelled visible waves of vibration. Ripples of distortion surrounded the mirror itself, clearly noticeable to some of the group members. However, the void and the person inside it could only be perceived by Emily and Valerian. Yet another sound came from it, which would resemble that of a voice and words. It would be difficult to make out what it said, but the closest interpretation would be: don’t go. A typical sensation of dread at this encounter would never receive scrutiny or judgement. However, the being attempted no such communication. If anything, it wanted to convey serenity and calm. The world beyond this reality was more than unjustified terror.




N O T E S
The police is close. The cop characters controlled by @Arkitekt and @MST3K 4ever can bring them to the scene in their next post. The mirror scene is for two characters: Emily & Valerian. This is based on GM-rolls. However, any character with +2 Sixth Sense or higher can feel the scent from the mirror, hear everything from it, and see the distortion surrounding it, but they can't see the void — it will look normal, reflective.
<Snipped quote by Kino End>

Any for me? Or will you just put it in the IC post?


It's coming. I'm debating a bit with myself as I write responses, and in relation to the outcome for Emily.
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@Arkitekt Serena managed to stay out of complications concerning the pursuit in the stairwell.

@dreamingflowers Mia is able to keep it together during the hallway feelings of anxiety and such.

@Theyra No further complications for Cole, either.

@Zoey Boey Emily continues to be unlucky here. Feels like this is cursed, no? This is about the powder and its effect. I'll detail in my next post what happens.

Speaking of my next post @Kino End, how often can we post? Is it once per world update?


You post as much as you want. At some point, of course, you will be hindered by replies from others and me. However, I will be able to make purely "GM" posts as well, where I just focus on writing for the environment and various, minor NPCs. This will make things faster than when I write for a specific, major character such as Linda.

@Kino End That's RNG based I'm assuming?


It is. Even with the +3 modifier, it was a low roll. However, it's still just an urge, an additional complication. You decide how far you go with it. I don't force anyone to do anything.

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@LuckyBernard keeps his cool for now. The man's mind is made of steel.

@Zoey BoeyEven if Emily has seen a couple of things already, it doesn't mean that she is immune. The sight of the Doctor leaves a mark on her. In your next post, describe how Emily feels strangely attracted to the black powder on the floor around the Doctor's corpse. She will feel an urge to taste it. She will be able to reason with herself, and her approach might be slow enough for someone to stop her, but the desire is there.

@ProsaicKeandre seems to be a proper bastille, able to handle the sight of the Doctor without more complications.

@MST3K 4everThe surge of adrenaline in the experienced man seems to defy any complications regarding the sight of the Doctor. Also, I believe Arkitekt's character is named "Serena" while it was spelt "Selena" in the post.
“Linda.” A kind smirk came towards the man. Bernard reminded her of the good Doctor in a sense, but others not. It was strange seeing him and the others like this. Linda had spent countless nights studying all of their psychological profiles and evaluations. In one way, they were as far removed from being human as one could get. Yet in another way, she had become accustomed to the group akin to regular people becoming accustomed to their idols in entertainment. It was a bizarre mixture of perception. The Doctor had explained this phenomenon to her on more than one occasion. He had explained the necessity of creating distance between yourself and the patient. Mia was one of the better examples for himself. Even if he wanted to see her as a daughter, such a perception would harm every process and progress they could possibly have. The doctor felt for that poor girl unlike any other. Another such example was Keandre. Much of that young man reminded the Stanton of his own flesh and blood, his own son that had perished. And not to mention Emily. The Doctor explained that such a girl and personality could easily creep underneath one’s own sense of direction and priority. Infatuation was the word, he explained. Or perhaps it was fascination? Linda could not remember at this moment.

“N.Y.C. winter is in its own league.” Linda chuckled in unison with Keandre’s comments about not being suited for this kind of weather. All the members of the group were stacking almost like clockwork. Even if Linda did recognize most of them up close with facial features at hand, those in the vicinity would have escaped her notice — Serena, for example, who was not far removed, but hidden by the eerie whirls of snow. Linda gave a kind and warm nod at Russell’s arrival. She had not given it much thought before, but there were two people in the group working in law enforcement. The good Doctor had never commented it in their private discussions. Linda made a mental note of having to ask if it carried any significance in relation to the others and progress in the group. With that in mind, Linda reminded herself to occasionally have a look around to see if any others had come. Some of them were not particularly adept in social matters, which had been unmistakably noted in their profiles — all things psychology was awfully concerned with social matters. Linda had managed to take note of Alex’s presence and thrown a smile her way, indicating for the young girl to keep close, as they began to slowly move.

Linda also noticed that Valerian had arrived. She gave a slight gesture for him to come closer as well, although it was overshadowed by Emily’s prompt entrance. The girl was certainly the balance this group needed. It was a determined and warm presence. “We’re heading in right now. I haven’t been able to get Richard on the phone, so he’s most likely busy with something.” Linda made sure to wait for everyone in the group to step inside before herself — perhaps it was a minor detail, but for these people it could be the difference of good and terrible night. Luckily, Serena had made herself visible just in time. Linda gave Serena a warm smile and indicated that it was good to see her again. A last look around outside on the street for any remaining members resulted in none. They were not all accounted for, but it was also not unusual.

The reception area was brightly lit and mellow. There was no receptionist in at this time. It was a bit peculiar, but Linda thought nothing of it as she briskly walked past the group towards the elevator. She used a special key to call the elevator to them much faster. Besides being able to take them to the penthouse level of the building, the key also forced the elevator to bypass all other stop and call requests. She did not want to keep the Doctor waiting, as the clock had struck 8 PM. The elevator itself was spacious. All of them could fit in there without touching each other too much. Linda was the last one to board. "Okay, hang on everyone." The ride was short and completed in less than half a minute. Everything up to this point had transgressed without any kind of suspicion in Linda’s mind, even if a creeping sensation had crawled along her spine ever since she arrived outside and met the group. It was not until the elevator doors slid open on the fifth floor out of the eight floors of the building that the strange feeling was validated. The hallway before them looked bizarrely misshaped. Bits of the walls were peeled and almost decayed. Many of the lights throughout the hallway had burned out. The light bulbs were sooty and nearly cracked. Whatever light that remained was dimmed or flickering. Something was clearly wrong here.

Linda remained within the elevator for a moment with the others. It took a good while before she stepped into the hallway. Each step made the floor crackle and squeak as if made out of aging wood even if such was clearly not the case. It was surreal and slightly off putting, which prompted Linda to hasten her pace towards the Doctor’s office. Perhaps it was unfair to call it an office. The space they worked out of was an apartment that had been redesigned as an office for the Doctor’s purposes. To Linda’s surprise, or maybe lack thereof, the front door was slightly open. There was no discernible sign of a break in. However, Linda was not a police officer, so she would not know what to look for. Luckily, they had two cops with them that could surely tell if the front door had been forced open. The first thing that one sees when entering is a wide, spacious room that is used as both reception and waiting area for patients. Linda did not know what to expect, so she called the Doctor’s name as she slowly pushed the front door open. “Richard?” Nothing could have prepared her for what she was about to see.

The therapist had become a God. He sat tranquil and serene on the floor of the wide room. A fine powder of dark quality had been evenly spread all around him. His legs were positioned in the lotus formation often seen in Eastern meditation. The spine had been set straight by being attached to slim, metal rods impaled in the floor. His left arm was folded — its elbow graced one of the legs, the wrist reached upwards, and two fingers and the thumb were erect with the remaining digits collapsed — it was the gesture of benediction. The right arm and hand rested in his lap. The man had been stripped completely naked and his eyes had been removed. Two, delicate streams of blood had trailed down his cheek, neck, and chest from where the eyes used to be. A ripped piece of paper with burnt edges lay before him. It had a note that read: Communion Ends. Disperse.

Linda stumbled backwards upon seeing the spectacle. A hand quickly covered her mouth to prevent unnecessary screaming or uncomfortable noises. Her heart raced and was audibly unsettling in her head. In that moment, a loud bang from a door closing down the hall towards the stairwell was heard. A dark figure could be momentarily seen moving out of another exit of the Doctor’s office. The figure moved towards the stairwell. Linda was in shock and backed against the wall opposite to the front door where she had just been. So many things rushed through her head. She forced herself to think about the others. They were the ones who were supposed to be fragile in this endeavor, not her. Linda had never seen a murder before except in films. However, this was unlike anything she had seen in fiction. This was awfully disturbing. Not to mention that the victim in question was her employer, mentor, and dear friend.




N O T E S
There are essentially four parts here: entering the building, elevator ride, walking down the hallway, and the discovery. Write things out and react as you think your character would. I will detail any complications in my next post based on your Actions in your character sheets. There is a suspect that is moving towards the stairwell at the other end of the hallway. It is moving quickly and the entrance to the stairwell is about 20 meters/65ft away. The rest of the Doctor’s office is unknown at this time. There are five additional rooms beyond the large reception/waiting area. The black powder spread on the floor around the Doctor is completely unknown and will remain as such despite any expertise in the group.

@Zoey BoeyNo problem. Any time is a good time to join in. Interesting pursuits this character of yours has. Lets put +1 to Act Under Pressure when things involve math, sketching, and botany. Those things specifically. And then a general +1 to Influence Other because of the interest and knowledge of the occult/esoteric subjects. Make a note of these things in your character sheet somehow, and then post it in the character tab.
I've added an additional part to the OOC information called "Encounters". I'll put it in this post as well, in case you miss it.



@ProsaicLooks well put together. Let's put +2 to Act Under Pressure from multiple talents combined: Brave, Survival, Stubborn, Physically Strong. This additional +2 is only when something is related to these talents. Otherwise it's the default +1 as per your setting. Make a note of this in the character sheet and post it in the character tab.

@ProsaicYes, there is always room here. I'm glad you found something that's interesting to you.
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