Session 32

← Session 31 | Session 33 →

Nyx tries her best to be comforting, Kuno continues to check in on people, Asa makes a choice, Colby has an enlightening meeting, and Sam's job evolves.

## Characters

* The Party
* Fillan Bailey
* Harriet Sikes
* Neera Guinn
* Naberius MacLaughagan
* Orias
* Hollis Tucker
* Na'arisiel
* Arlo Briar
* Izola
* Bladez
* Pax Furyk
* Monday Hackett
* Fiorella Fells
* Absinthe Romero
* Kingston Ibarra
* 0-771534
* Benjamin Richards

## Summary

##### **Wednesday, April 21st, 543:**

The party overall takes a day or so, some of them recovering more than others. When Fells asks Colby his response to the letter, he agrees to the meeting, which will be in a few days. Kuno checks up on a few people, ending up with alfredo after visiting Reis and Hollis as well as an irate response from Pax. He gives Fillan a brief update on the paperwork the party got from Morena, though keeps details sparse, since the wolves are dealing with their own problems.

Concerned that she hasn't heard from Neera in a few days, Nyx learns from Harriet that church has been out of service for a few days while Neera is shaken up about something. The congregation has been trying to be supportive while mostly giving her space. Nyx lets Neera know she's going to drop by, and by the time she's picked up alfredo from Kuno and talked herself into knocking on the door it's roughly dinnertime.

Neera answers the door, and while she obviously isn't doing well she lets Nyx in. Nyx starts heating the alfredo so the two can have dinner, and asks if Neera's alright. She brushes off Neera's assurances she's fine, but does fill her in that Nyx herself is doing fine after being knocked out. Eventually, Neera explains she hasn't heard from the Guide in a few days, which is unusual, and she's worried something happened. She's particularly concerned for the souls that got sacrificed into their custody, since they'd promised everyone would return for the Parousia--but the Guide can't resurrect everyone if something's happened to them. Nyx isn't particularly good at being comforting, but she tries her best, and stays with Neera for a while.

Nyx gets back to her apartment late, and is worn-out enough that she crashes. She has a vision of Neera running down a side street at night, in her demon form. Through the buildings, Nyx catches a glimpse of a Power, along with the impression Neera is trying to kill it, because that's her job.

##### **Thursday, April 22nd, 543:**

The next day, Nyx invites Sam over, wanting to know how his revenge quest turned out. Sam is reluctant, knowing Nyx is involved with Neera, but she pushes the issue. With some reluctance, Sam explains the fire at the cafe, which Nyx had seen something about on the news, as well as the fact MacLaughagan was there, and that Sam left before he could see for sure if Valefor died. Nyx recommends checking on the situation, since she had a vision that Neera was still working for a demon. Sam tries calling MacLaughagan, who doesn't pick up. Seeing that, Nyx calls as well, but she doesn't get a response either.

Soon after, Nyx's doorbell rings. Sam answers it to a very drunk MacLaughagan, who looks a wreck. The demon makes his desire not to talk to Sam very clear, and has been drinking since Valefor's death. He lets Nyx know the Lower Plane is taken care of regarding the end of the world, since he's going to brutally murder Raum in the near future. With pointed questions from Nyx, Mac breaks down and explains his history with Valefor: they were engaged to be married, but Val betrayed him, killing him and Lucifer at the same time and burying him under their backyard. However, Mac's death didn't stick, leaving the irate demon to claw his way out from under a newly-built swimming pool. MacLaughagan admits he sort of deserved it, since he failed in his job of bodyguard by not noticing what Val was doing, but the fact Valefor was having an affair with Raum was the last straw for him.

By the time Mac's slipping composure has deteriorated to crying on Nyx's floor, having relayed his sordid tale, there is a knock on the door. Sam opens the door to Orias, who picks up the puddle of MacLaughagan to take him home. Nyx and Sam are left in the apartment, to process what they just learned. At Nyx's suggestion, Sam agrees to check in on the demon in 48 hours, with Nyx wanting to know if he's succeeded in shredding Raum.

Nyx visits Neera again, continuing to be vaguely comforting. Sam, who has been spending more time at home than in recent history, has been trying to support Ben through his impending finals.

That evening, Kuno visits Hollis's apartment again, with dinner fixings. Hollis is having one of his bad days, but is still glad to see Kuno. While Kuno and Hollis are talking, Reis makes tea for everyone. Eventually, Kuno brings up UNITY, which Hollis isn't familiar with. He is however willing to offer commentary on the information Kuno provides, and doesn't end up with a particularly high opinion of UNITY.

Conversation grinds to a screeching halt when Hollis tastes his cup of tea, recognizing it as not from the tea cabinet. Na'arisiel admits he found it in the cabinet in Hollis's closet, and adds that he thinks it would help Hollis, though he gets cut off before he can say anymore. Hollis very politely kicks Kuno out of the apartment at this point, so he and the seraphim can have a conversation.

##### **Friday, April 23rd, 543:**

The next day is the eve of Colby's meeting with Romero, and the party gets together for dinner at Kuno's apartment. Kuno gives Colby very grandfatherly job interview advice, as well as recommending Colby keep the party's names out of his known associates. Asa's recent encounter with Pax gets brought up, and explained to the religion boys, who haven't heard. The party starts debating ideas to bring Asa back into Pax's good graces, and Kuno's idea of a meeting is enacted, rather than Asa's idea to burn down COAST. Kuno gets a street address from Pax, and heads out to meet the upyr, with Nyx and Asa tagging along but following from a safe distance.

When everyone arrives at the designated address, there is no sign of Pax. He doesn't respond when Kuno tries to get in contact, so Kuno calls Asa and Nyx over to see if they can figure out what's going on. They hear some nearby gunshots, and after some more investigation a faint blood trail that continues for a few blocks before leading into an alley. In this ally the three find Pax and Monday, cornered by three figures--figures that Asa recognizes as Arlo, Zola, and Bladez. Pax is bleeding from several wounds, and leaning on Monday.

Kuno and Nyx don't recognize the three, and throw themselves into the fray, Nyx immediately shifting. Asa calls out to Arlo, distracting him from Pax's imminent demise. He tries to talk Arlo out of killing the two upyr, insisting they're helping track down Eldridge, who is the one COAST should be worried about. Arlo is obviously devastated to see Asa siding with the upyr, and insists Pax and Monday are known menaces and need to die. He threatens to kill the three party members if they don't leave and let COAST do their job. Seeing Arlo can't be talked out of his conviction, Asa goes to shoot him. However, with Arlo distracted, Pax, feral from blood loss, attacks him from behind, killing him almost instantly. Returning to lucidity, Pax curls up in the alley, shaking.

At this, Bladez throws a collection of knives into Asa, before she and Zola bolt out of the alley. Asa quickly notices the knives are poisoned, and calls Colby, before heading to meet Colby at his apartment. Kuno leaves as well, making sure Asa gets to his apartment safely.

Nyx stays with Pax and Monday in the alleyway. Monday closes Arlo's eyes, and puts his body in a nearby dumpster. It takes Pax a decent chunk of time to stop shaking, which Nyx notices is because the upyr is crying. Nyx wastes no time in asking after Eldridge, which Pax has learned nothing new about. On the walk to retrieve Pax's backpack, she tries to convince him Asa deserves another chance, which Pax cuts off immediately with the assertion he doesn't care what Asa is up to. He also doesn't trust Asa's ability to sit and let Pax ask questions of Eldridge. With this learned, Nyx leaves, stopping by Asa's apartment to see Colby managed to patch him up.

##### **Saturday, April 24th, 543:**

Fells and Colby take a reasonable long train ride to UNITY's complex. The complex's train station borders a small park, as a clear representation of it's place in a more well-off district. Almost as soon as they arrive, Fells abandons Colby in the lobby to wait for Romero. It's a bit of a wait, but he is eventually approached by a woman who introduces herself as Absinthe Romero. Romero's plan is to start with a tour of the complex, and then they can talk in her office, where she can answer any questions Colby has.

UNITY's complex is a large collection of mostly-interconnected buildings, which means there's a bit of a walk to the interesting parts of the complex. At Romero's inquiry, Colby admits he doesn't have much of an idea what his work has been doing, a situation which Romero hopes she can help remedy. Romero shows off several levels full of cubicles used for data analysis that has to be done manually, as well as the rows and rows of computer banks they use for simulations. She confides in Colby that UNITY likely has more computing power than Astra does, not that Astra is aware of this fact.

Continuing through the complex via an overpass with a view of an extensive greenhouse, Romero shows off the residential space. She explains employees tend to live on-sight, mostly for security reasons, but also because they can provide a high quality of life. They've particularly been supporting their employees through the food shortage, an effort that has been stymied by K&T's refusal to collaborate. The final stop on Colby's tour of UNITY is the bioengineering department, which is a relatively new development. Romero admits she isn't quite sure what research is being conducted there, but she believes in her employees' ability to design interesting and useful projects.

With the complex mostly shown off, Romero leads Colby on the long walk back to her office. Once they've arrived, Romero gives a general overview of UNITY: they're interested in the safety of everyone generally, which mostly manifests as big-picture preservation of the City and its people. They can do this by simulating possible futures based on extensive amounts of data, which allows them to get a general sense of impending threats, which they can then address in a variety of ways. However, the sims are imperfect, and only account for data they have access to--which was recently problematic in the form of King & Taikon covering up the food shortage. They tend to address said threats by working to sway companies' activities, setting up support systems for fallout, and by taking legal action against malfeasance. The latter approach is a bit difficult right now, since apparently the legal department is dealing with something. At a question from Colby, Romero explains she's been interested in predictivity for a long time, and with funding and support that interest evolved into UNITY.

With that, Romero has an offer for Colby. The growth of his church produced a noticeable effect on public sentiment, an effect that helped counteract the unpredictable nature of a scared public, and one that UNITY greatly benefits from. Romero reached out to Colby since she has some history working with Fells, as well as because of said benefits. She thought it would be rude for them to be gaining so much from Colby's work without him getting something out of it, and as such invites him to join their PR special unit. The work would be very similar to what he's currently doing, but he would gain a job title and a salary, as well as access to the UNITY support system.

Their conversation is interrupted by black ooze dripping from the air conditioning vent over Romero's desk. Unfazed, Romero tells the presence in the vent to leave them alone, threatening him with a performance review. There is a faint noise in the vent overhead as the ooze leaves. Romero apologizes, saying that dealing with the best and brightest in the City often involves dealing with their eccentricities. Colby understands that, but wasn't expecting them to be crawling around in the air vents--to which Romero replies he likely wasn't actually in the vent, and that they'll check on him.

Recovering from the interruption, Colby agrees to join the PR department. Romero is pleased to hear this, and says that although the legal team being preoccupied means documentation will be some time they can start moving him in immediately. She has a meeting to get to, but will send someone to show him his apartment. With that, she leaves Colby in her office to be shown around again.

Some time later, Kingston Ibarra arrives, having volunteered himself to show Colby to his apartment. Ibarra is also living in UNITY's complex, and extols its various merits. Reportedly, he doesn't have much of a role in running Essence, so is free to spend time in his lab at UNITY. Colby's apartment is a nice place, and has a hotel-esque built-in service system.

Kuno texts Ollie, checking in on him. He's been doing alright, and mostly just trying to stay occupied.

That afternoon, Sam calls MacLaughagan, who agrees they need to meet. The demon isn't available right exactly then, so they schedule a meeting tomorrow afternoon, with Mac advising Sam to keep Ben out of it. At dinner, Sam makes sure Ben knows the demon will be dropping by, though Ben will be out of the apartment at school the whole afternoon either way.

Kuno drops by Hollis's apartment once again, and is pleasantly surprised to find the curtains open. Hollis is looking better than he was a few days ago, and is working on cooking a stir fry with Reis. They've apparently been working on dredging up any of Reis's memories they can manage, and Hollis is glad to have something to talk about that isn't the seraphim's ill-conceived quest for his eyes and a halo. When Kuno mentions he appreciated the alfredo, Hollis digs through a cabinet and gives Kuno a well-worn note card with the recipe, calling it an older version.

##### **Sunday, April 25th, 543:**

The following afternoon, Sam has his meeting with MacLaughagan. The demon looks as composed as usual, and pulls plausible deniability against his presence at Nyx's apartment. He congratulates Sam on the completion of his contract, assuring Sam that Valefor was bleeding to death when he left the cafe (though they would have never admitted it). With the contract completed, Sam has the option to leave behind everything on the supernatural side of the City--though the demon doesn't recommend it, since Sam has managed to make several powerful enemies, and without a contract Mac can't interfere in the affairs of Samuel and co. As such, the demon has an alternative: he needs some agents on the Prime Plane, since he's about to be embroiled in a murder lawsuit, a job which he offers to Sam as a more long-term obligation than the Revenant contract.

After inquiring, Sam learns Mac's affairs are in a similar vein as the saving the world the party has stumbled into, and that accepting the new contract involves giving Ben an out, since Sam is abandoning any likelihood of a normal life. Sam agrees to the arrangement and signs a new contract. He is informed his first proper job is to help MacLaughagan commit a high-profile murder, in the form of holding the door to Raum's office closed while the demon eviscerates his boss--which might involve the risk of being skewered, though the demon tells Sam not to worry about that. Sam also receives the phone number of Mac's other recent hire, with instructions to get in contact. The demon tells Sam to be available two days from now at 4 p.m., in order to help commit a murder, before leaving.

   Sam calls the provided phone number, and isn't particularly surprised to learn Neera is on the other end. She had been told he would be calling, and agrees to meet for coffee, recommending the place by her church. Her schedule is a bit on fire for the next few days, so she suggests some time next week, and will let Sam know when she's available. With introductions done and a meeting mostly scheduled, the awkward conversation ends, leaving Sam to wait for Ben to get home for dinner.

## Quotes

**Kai:** “It’s the consequences of our actions.”

**Pax:** “FUCK OFF” | **Kuno:** “Understandable, have a nice day.”

**Kellen:** “That’s a lot of blood to suddenly be on your hands.” | **Parker:** “Guess you should’ve prayed to God instead.”

**Kellen:** “Your ESP is all banged out on Neera juice right now.”

**Mac:** “I wasn’t drinking for all of them. Just the last couple.” | **Kai:** “You can round a couple up to four.”

**Sam:** “I thought the idea was, I don’t know. You were gonna want to celebrate about this too, as opposed to have a drink and a cry about it?”

**Mac:** “Nyxie, darling. You’ll understand when you’re older.”

**Abby:** “And… who’s Lucy?” | **Kai:** “Take a wild fucking guess, Abigail.”

**Nyx:** “You two were fucking *engaged*?”

**Kai:** “I’ve been a pawn in MacLaughagan’s *office drama*.”

**Sam:** “Are you here for him?” | **Orias:** “Yeah. Sorry about that. Mind if I…” | **Sam:** “Yeah. He’s all yours.”

**Abby:** “Let’s see how this goes.” | **Kai:** “Badly.” | **Abby:** “Badly indeed, that’s a five.”

**Arlo:** “I don’t like killing innocents, but I thought you were better than this.” | **Asa:** “I thought so too.”

**Kellen:** “Unless you keep pissing off people.” | **Ezra:** “That’s his only occupation these days.”

**Kellen:** “I don’t think you’re expected to wear your Jesus robes unless you’re on the Jesus clock.”

**Kai:** “Abby we can’t do this again.” | **Abby:** “I know who Romero is!”

**Colby:** “I guess I just wasn’t expecting the city’s best and brightest to be crawling around in the air vents.”

**Kai:** “Free-range goo?” | **Parker:** “There’s just a free-range man.”

**James:** “This is just the Illuminati, at this point. It’s just the Illuminati!” / **Parker:** “Jesus joins the Illuminati.”

**Kellen:** He looks a lot better than he did the last time you saw him, but that bar was pretty fucking low."

**Kellen:** “Samuel Fischer is marginally less useless.”

**Kai:** “*When you do your job, mark corruption*. Which is entirely the opposite of *when you do what isn’t your job, mark corruption*.”

**James:** “I’ve gone from not liking Hollis to absolutely wanting Hollis to be happy.”

**James:** “Let the lesbians kill angels with their magic knives.”

**Abby:** “If you’re already doing crimes, just do more crimes.”

**Abby:** “Bubbles Kuno’s skin, just for kicks.” | **James:** “No, that was a threat.” | **Kellen:** “I prefer to think of it as a warning.”

← Session 31 | Session 33 →