August 23, 2004
.08.23.04. - the hammer falls [angie-binary-pagan-sarah] *ac

[lake michigan shores - cont'd from maxwell's silver hammer]

(st)
The home stands solitary on the shore of Lake Michigan, the lights of Chicago glowing brightly to the SouthEast, roughly to the left when one is facing the front drive in the home, set among various trees made visually unditingushable in the darkless. Smells abound here, sharp and pungent, away from all the dampening cacophony of reeks one encounters time and again in the city. Pine and cedar; beech and poplar. Wet grass and damp road dust. Old wood and fresher sealant. A fog has rolled in from the lake behind the two story home and wraithyly tendrils are the scouts enacting reconisance before the calvary comes in, thick and oppressive; swift and lingering.
The home is dark, we've said, but upon approaching a dull glow can be seen around boarded windows. Yellow and red; blue and green and violet beyond. The colours of bruising, like some sore coming forth on a home that was once (not so long ago) quite the lovely sight.
Two trails lead here.
That foraged by old fashioned methods of footwork and conversation and the usage of contacts.
The other achieved via mystical means, an old rite where stone spins upon thread and marks out a path that leads to a name.
(what's in a name? Maxwell Edison [studying in medicine] and Johnny "the Skinner" Piel [anyone speak Spanish?])
If the members of Leonida's Own are communicating with one another, then one - Angie - knows for certain where she and her companion - Jukebox - are heading. Binary [vrroom-vrroom, the leader of the pack] follows the lead of the Fury, Sara, who's stone and thread lead towards the lake shore and up, up, up along it. If they communicate then the connection shouldn't be too hard to make.
They killed in unison.
So why shouldn't the two monstrosities now live together?
...build a fort together...
...make a stand together...
Communicate.

(binary/pagan)
Live together.
[..or perhaps they are one and the same.]
Communication is not an easy thing across the gauntlet it comes in a series of commands crackled out through an awakened com unit as SKEWERED by the gauntlet.
"Bravo team looks like we're pulling up on your location-- Anything to report?"
Pagan, Binary, and Sarah.

(angie)
Approaching target location....
~moments~
Nothing at the moment. ~a brief description ala the post below is given to Binary, noting the physical conditions~
Call the ball.

(james)
Maxwell Edison
Maxwell's Silver Hammer
going into it James already has the heebie jeebies
there's some seriously baaad mojo going on at the house
it's leaking bruises and spiking malice
guttermutt's seriously hedging for a vacation after this
at least Leonida's scrounged some back-up

he forms a loose pack with Angie on approach
Eagle's Chosen calling upon the totem's blessing already
right hand flexing the iridescent inks patterning forarm's inner skin
viciously accessorized steel pipe melting into palm's comfortable cradle
unearthly blue flares of dedication's magic hidden by the diligent cover of lanky frame
holding the weapon half-sheilded in the sleeve of baggy army surplus coat
Ahroun he may be, but he's working backup for the GeeDub's strike

attention tick-tocking towards Angie's communication
waiting for orders

((pipe, eagle's strength, spirit of the fray))

(binary)
"Bravo - we're going to do a light recon of the house spiritside, stay tight. In the meantime familiarize yourself with possible escape routes. Any cars should be disabled -- entrances and exits."
And thus, they go.

(angie)
~Angie communicates the orders to Jukebox~
"I'm suggesting you and I stay tight together as we check and go..."
~Angie looks for escape measures that could be used by the marks~

(st)
Recon: Umbralside
Above ground the home isn't old enough nor spiritualy sound enough to have made an impression on the umbra. For the most part the area is portrayed as pulsing area of recent blight. Whatever dwells here now: It isn't pleasent. The colours of brusinging coming from the lights behind the boarded windows portrayed with a writers fancy, are a manifest motiff here. There is an infection here, settling in deep and strong. The faint, rancid, cheesy smell of gangrene. The wavering, misty atmosphere of nightmares.
Some portions of the landscape - the home umbral-side - are not open to view however. Old enough to have made a decent impression within this realm, it hides whatever is within from view. But from the parts that can be seen...
...all is clear.
It's not well.
But it's clear.
Fomori, Bane possessed humans, can be seen in the umbra of course and they are not.
Which can mean one of two things at least:
They aren't here.
Or they are in those few places not openly viewable within.

Outside:
The front door of the home is unboarded. All of the downstairs windows are boarded up as well as those up the upstairs.
Outside, on the front drive, there is a taxi cab. Silent and dark.
Out back, there is a small pier. The fog is thick here and one cannot make out the end where, concievably, there could be a boat.
((Okay, other than what I put in my post (the one unboarded door, the taxi and the pier) the house is surrounded by woods and lake respectively. Beyond the woods on either side are other home. Close enough on both sides for light to be scene from the homes (though none seem to be on and it's foggy tonight) but far enough away on both sides for sound to be hard to discern. And the taxi is not locked.))

(james)
dreadlocks tumble as the raggedyman nods
debilitating possible vehicles for escape he can do
sticking close to Angie as they make rounds ever closer
sticking to the shadows even if boards block the windows

there's only one car within reasonable distance
others require a journey through the neighboring woods
luckily, James finds the taxi is unlocked
pipe leveraged within to pry the steering wheel from it's base column
effective enough unless the target can inspire the cab to fly
he still uses the pipe's spiked tip to puncture all four tires

chin lifts up towards the sideyard and lake beyond
direction established for the Ahroun's next move
he doesn't feel like swimming after the target's escape across the waters
heading out back to the fog-covered pier to see if there's a boat
gestures transcribe the suggestion for Angie to remain hidden and watch him from an acceptable distance
no use both of them succumbing to rotting boards and splashing their advantage away

fists closes around the amulet strung neatly at the base of his throat
calloused fingertips tapping a signal for it's use
at least if his cover's blown he'll seem like one of the gang
here's hoping Angie warned the others of the ability....

((activation of baneskin fetish))

(angie)
~Angie, with stealth borrowed thanks to the gift of the totem she serves, follows closely, SPAS held close and ready, a flitting shadow.
And when he goes out on the boards, she moves as far as she can in cover, to a point where she isn't hanging her ass out, but also that's got enough angles and enough of a view to be useful.
Her attention focussed on the primary threat areas, but her body ready to respond to any sound coming from Jukie's direction, any intimation of distress from the area her teammate has just gone to clear, secure, and work...~
((heh, that wasn't clear. She's not out on the boards; she's as close to them as she can be that's still covered and useful))

(binary)
SpiritSide.
Pagan and Binary make thier way silently about the house taking in the small spot where the spiritual reflection lies and the expanse where house SHOULD be but reflects neither edifice nor corruption. The pair withdraws from the spiritual structure a bit.
"There's an all clear from the front of the house spiritside, can't say the same for the rear --Status Bravo?"

(angie)
~Angie breathes so softly into the transmitter that it's like a ghost is talking. First she describes the relative position that she and Jukebox have taken in relationship to the house, then,~
"Working on incapp'ing egresses...land unit, check. Working on poolside...stand by..."

(binary)
And..?
They stand by.

(st)
Outside: Real World
The taxi is effectively disabled and unless J. K. Rowling is running this show or someone is channeling the spirit of Walt Disney, chances are the car ain't gonna fly.
To the pier they head, Angie slinking back to watch as best she might through fog and darkness and James forging ahead to risk rotting wood and chilly waters below (need a bath, Bone Gnawer?)
The problem with fog is that it makes things difficult to see.
Darkness rather has the same effect, ya know?
James gets to the end of the pier and he can vaguely figure out that there is no boat.

((and hold. rolls required. Wolf, roll perception + alertness. OS, the same. IM me the stats and let me know of any modifiers.))

max surprise attack: 10, 8, 4, 3, 9, 2
reroll 10: 4
james percep + alertness 4D10: 8, 2, 7, 9
max: 6D10 Dice Roll: 1; 10; 5; 10; 9; 7
max: 8D10 Dice Roll: 3; 4; 1; 9; 4; 9; 1; 1

(st)
Outside: Real World
Baneskins are lovely things, really, but they bank on a premesis:
Wyrm-beasties won't attack their own kind.
Problem: That's not always true.
(there's a reason we call them the Bad Guys)

sneak, sneak, sneak
WHAM

Jukebox, you have a visitor. He's looking to see if there's a boat and someone else seems to be looking to see how tough his hide is.

It comes from behind, hard and fast, a grunt at the last minute and a sniggering chortle. Something baches at Jukeboxe's back, hard and fast.
And someone begins to sing.

"Bang, bang Maxwell's..."
Angie, now, hear's it.
It's a safe bet that the sound isn't that of an ally.

james soak: stam+1 weapon mod 5D10: 7, 1, 2, 10, 5
damage soaked
james init: 1d10: 8 + 16 = 24
max init: 1d10: 7, attacker's init = 13
angie init: 15

(angie)
Tango Contact, edge of pier, J engaged, heading for backup.
~Angie breathes into the transmitter, swivelling the SPAS~

(st)
The House: Umbral
It's all clear, here in cheese-smell manor. And it remains so. Quiet and ominous.

(james)
sneaksneaksneakWHAM
....... the theory of cover blown association has now proven itself incorrect
the blooming pain in James' back does not. make. him. happy.

it results in a series of three things:
one guttermutt shifting glabro mid-whirl
two high-octane swings with the murderous steel pipe
forhand to backhand lightning succession

sneak up on me, willya....

(angie)
~Glabro. (spent one ragey thing) Then, it's the tac-approach. Quick, stealthy, low-profile, sharply alert, weapon now like a third eye as she approaches the bangs and the singing, the WHAM (the reverberating sound, not the George Michael group).~
"Moving to area of engagement...advise if you need to."
~she mutters as she moves, hunched and spring-style~

(st)
Outside: Real World
The attackers appraoch to life is simple really: Attack.
Fighting is fun.
Killing is better.

Hit shit.

((1pt Rage spent for an extra action: striking twice with silver hammer, spiked))

----
james dropped 2 rage for extra actions)
james attack 1: to ::Max and the Skinner::: 9D10 Dice Roll: 4; 2; 4; 3; 1; 8; 10; 10; 1
reroll 10s: 3, 3
diff 5 - 1 sux
damage: 11d10 to ::Max and the Skinner::: 11D10 Dice Roll: 2; 8; 1; 5; 2; 8; 1; 1; 7; 7; 2
4 sux
max soak: to Jukebox: 4D10 Dice Roll: 4; 10; 6; 3
2 soaked
james attack 2: to ::Max and the Skinner::: 9D10 Dice Roll: 6; 3; 7; 10; 9; 10; 3; 2; 3
reroll 10s: to ::Max and the Skinner::: 2D10 Dice Roll: 3; 6
diff 5 = 6 sux
damage: 16d10 - to ::Max and the Skinner::: 16D10 Dice Roll: 10; 8; 4; 5; 9; 9; 10; 4; 7; 8; 4; 3; 7; 9; 4; 1
8 sux
max soak: to Jukebox: 4D10 Dice Roll: 3; 5; 9; 6
2 soaked
Max: Okay, well the fomori is at Crippled and -5 dice pool.
But first, we have to deal with flying pus. So, roll your dexterity for me, please!
james dex attack 1: to ::Max and the Skinner::: 3D10 Dice Roll: 3; 6; 5
1 sux
james dex attack 2: to ::Max and the Skinner::: 3D10 Dice Roll: 8; 7; 3
2 sux
attack 1 to Jukebox: 1D10 Dice Roll: 8
attack 1 to Jukebox: 1D10 Dice Roll: 7
1 sux, 1 damage, silver, agg
attack 2 to Jukebox: 1D10 Dice Roll: 6
attack 2 to Jukebox: 1D10 Dice Roll: 3
no sux, no further damage

(st)
Round One.
Angie moves in.
Jukebox...
...kicksass and takes name.
The first strike with his Pipe-o-Whoop-Ass barely lands it marks, perhaps thrown off by his pure rage. (sneak up on me, willya...) The second, however, hit home.
Big time.
With a snarl and a wail, the fomori tetters back a step, eyes flaring in his dark-skinned face. A large man, thick of muscle and broad of build. But large men still fall.
Even large men who are possessed by malicious spirits and who spurt pus when they are hit.
Yummy.
THe Bone Gnawer Elder is fast on his feet though and he avoids the noxious spray.
Ol' Max is wavering in his stance, oozing blood and pus and cousing up more of it. Still he finds it in him to retally.
Wham! One hit, spike-side and the blow is mild, all things considered, but still it makes it marks. And burns.
Silver has a way of doing that.
The second blow glances and no damage is done.
He's ripe for the Kill, and he knows it. And he speaks, spitting out waste as he does so.
"Go 'head n'kitshll me." Slurringly he snarls out, giggling in a gargle. "Ashe-sh, Ashe-sh yuh' all fuh dow'" Sing-song.
A little nursery rhyme about the Black Death.
How pleasent.
((Okay, the fomori is at Crippled, -5 DP. Jukebox took 1pt of Agg damage from the silver. Roll initiative again!))

inits:
max: 8
james: 4 + 16 =20
angie: 12
james frenzy check: 4s10: 1, 3, 3, 2

(james)
ashes to ashes, dust to dust
there's little other on the Fostern's mind as silver burns his flesh
Maxwell Murder is wavering on his feet
showering the pier with an acid rain finishing coat of toxic pus
James?
Jamey-boy is stepping up to the bat like some Major League hitter

.... straight out of the vestiges of MLB's worst nightmare
dreadlocks get woven into the thickening of shaggy coat
the human is lost behind the animal's murderous mask

(angie)
~Angie moves forward, snarling at the glint of silver, but then focussing on the task at hand, which at this point is *not* killing...Jukey's got that covered. She's perimeter security for the execution for this round it seems, senses honed, ready...just in case other baddies lurk in the fog licking at the shoreline, licking at the pier, licking...at them all...~

james dropped 1 rage for extra actions (at 3 temp), shifted crinos
james attack to ::Max and the Skinner::: 9D10 Dice Roll: 9; 1; 1; 7; 5; 8; 9; 2; 3
3 sux
james damage to ::Max and the Skinner::: 14D10 Dice Roll: 5; 8; 10; 6; 4; 4; 9; 3; 4; 2; 3; 7; 1; 6
6 sux
ONE. DEED. FOMOR.
james dex to avoid flying pus to ::Max and the Skinner::: 4D10 Dice Roll: 7; 7; 9; 8
4 sux

(st)
ooc:Okay, and because I've already kept OS up way to late, I'll just summarize OOC.
Summary: Don't fuck with Jukebox.
(chuckles)
Okay, no, Jukebox switches to Crinos and swings with the pipe again. Hits with a vengeance and the Fomor's skull is bashed in, with a sickening crunch much akin to a ripe melon hit with a sledgehammer. That's one dead Fomor. As he falls the spiked silver hammer in his hand falls away into the lake depths below. There are no parting words and certainly no final blows save for the pus that flies and which the Gnawer neatly avoids.

(angie)
~hearing the crunching squishy noises, Angie curls a lopsided smile~
Clear?
~she says to him, the tone almost a joke~


------------- PAUSE------------------

Posted by james at August 23, 2004 12:00 AM