Session 28

← Session 27 | Session 29 →

Kuno checks on people, Colby attends a meeting, Nyx mends her relationship with Neera, Asa follows a lead, and Sam continues to cause problems for MacLaughagan.

## Characters

* The Party
* FIllan Bailey
* Jamie Nejem
* Fiorella Fells
* Kingston Ibarra
* Silas Vance
* Monday Hackett
* Tuesday Hackett
* Harriet Sikes
* Neera Guinn
* Pax Furyk
* Na'arisiel
* Hollis Tucker
* Nate (last name unknown)
* Benjamin Richards
* Arlo Briar
* Naberius MacLaughagan

## Summary

#### **Werewolf Paperwork**

##### **Tuesday, March 30th, 543:**

Kuno texts Fillan, asking if he can visit. It's not a good time for the wolves, but then it never is, so Fillan tells him to come on over. Fillan answers the door, looking as if he hasn't slept in several days. He explain Jamie and Tressa are in the middle of things, and he hasn't been home much in the past few days. Kuno brings up Morena's files that he brought, and Fillan calls for Jamie to be the one looking at paperwork. Jamie, disgruntled at being dragged out of the first chance she's had to nap in a few days, appreciates the paperwork from Morena.

Neither of the wolves recognize the logo on the piece of paperwork Kuno picked out as odd, but then redacted documents with odd logos are fairly standard for Morena's line of work. Jamie adds it to the pile, but the Bratva is understaffed and low on resources, so it'll be some time before she has an answer. There has been more infighting than they anticipated there would be after Morena's death, and Jamie suspects someone is still causing problems behind the scenes. Kuno asks if they've heard of the catalyst, not really expecting to find anything, and neither of the wolves know what he's talking about. Jamie mentions Tressa has been working on something for the past few days, not leaving her office, and there has been occasional yelling.

#### **Train Man and the Messiah Have a Nice Conversation**

##### **Wednesday, March 31st, 543:**

Colby's church has been participating in full-on Biblical Lent, and Colby hasn't been enjoying it. One morning, Fells tells him he's got a meeting with someone important, and ushers him out the door before he has much time to ask questions. Colby is taken to the high-class train station, where he is picked up in a white-and-blue private train staffed by androids. After some time, he is joined by Kingston Ibarra, the CEO of Essence Bioware. Ibarra has something resembling history with Fells, and wanted to know what all the fuss around Colby is about. The two chat for some time, with Ibarra carrying the conversation. The train makes its way to a scenic route, overlooking an area of the City that is well-designed and has an abundance of grass. Ibarra gives Colby his personal number, offering himself as a friend should Colby ever need company. He also vouches for Fells's character, calling her well-meaning and good-intentioned.

#### **Anyone Know a Good Place to Buy a Piano?**

##### **Friday, April 2nd, 543:**

Asa drops by the Vances' store, and finds Silas behind the counter. Silas isn't the happiest to see him, but is willing to talk about antiques. Asa learns the nightclub Valencia Gray mentioned is called Club Revival, and was where Kitty and Silas met, some 50 years ago. Silas doesn't think it's likely to still be in business, but gives Asa the address anyway, with instructions to give the owners the Vances' regards if they're still around. He thinks highly of the owners, saying they're good people, but quiet. As Asa is leaving, Silas asks after Nyx, and hears she's doing better, which he takes as good news.

He heads to the address Silas provided, which is out of the way to anywhere the party tends to spend time. When Asa arrives, it's still midafternoon, and the building is locked up tight. Asa calls Sam, and Sam agrees to head over. While waiting for Sam, Asa explores the surrounding area. Sam gets there after a while, at which point it's nearly 11.

#### **Night Club Fight Club**

   Club Revival is exactly as described: a nightclub, with a focus on antiques. On the outskirts of the room, silent auctions are set up, displaying antiques of all sorts. A swing tune fills the room, played by two figures on the stage, both with antique instruments.

   Soon after Sam and Asa arrive, the bass drops in the swing tune, and lights cut out, plunging the club solidly into rave territory. Asa is ecstatic, and takes a cursory look around before joining the party. Sam stays on the outskirts, and later in the evening fishes Asa out of the rave. Neither of them know quite how to investigate the club, so Asa calls Kuno. Kuno answers his phone, obviously having just been woken up, and enjoys learning about the club. It's out of the way, however, so he's not going to head over tonight. Sam takes the phone and promises he'll get Asa home safely; the two spend another hour or so at the club before heading out.

##### **Saturday, April 3rd, 543:**

The next evening, the entire party arrives at Club Revival around 9. It isn't as busy, since they're still setting up, and the musicians haven't arrived yet. Kuno pokes around, finding the club is populated by a solid number of people from the supernatural side of things. Later in the evening, Kuno tries to corner a bartender to ask a few questions, but the bar is swamped and he doesn't manage it.

Kuno gives up on trying to investigate after that, and joins the party in enjoying the club. Sam is keeping a close eye on Nyx, but she's just here for a good night out, and doesn't cause any chaos.

#### **Liar, Liar, Heart on Fire**

##### **Sunday, April 4th, 543:**

Nyx attends the service at the Children's church, and is welcomed by Harriet. Afterward, she is cornered by Neera. Neera threatens to kill Nyx, to which Nyx dares her to follow through, and Neera backs off. Nyx explains she came back because she appreciates the community of the Children, and also because she enjoys spending time with Neera. Neera wasn't expecting this, and goes bright red as Nyx keeps talking. Neera asks if Nyx is cutting ties with whoever killed Anthony, and Nyx says she is. The two go for coffee, and agree to talk about turning in Anthony's murderer later.

#### **You and Whose Money?**

Kuno and Nyx go searching for Pax, but they don't find him.

In the evening, Nyx and Asa return to Club Revival. They show up early, while everyone is still setting up, and corner one of the barkeepers, asking after the owners. The barkeep says the owners are very private, and likely won't be in today, since it's a weeknight. He mentions that they're mostly known by reputation, but doesn't elaborate, and the two don't push him on it.

Down that lead, Nyx has a vision of where the owners are, getting a view of the club from the stage where the saxophonist is warming up. The two approach the stage, and ask after Eldridge's location. The saxophonist informs them that's information that will cost more than they have available, specifying she's referring to money when asked. Nyx and Asa stick around for about one drink, and leave early.

#### **Checking in With the Boys**

##### **Monday, April 5th, 543:**

The next day, Nyx and Asa go looking for Pax. Nyx manages to track him down near the abandoned storage facility, where he isn't happy to see Asa and Nyx. Nyx receives more of Devereaux's soul water, and fills Pax in on the situation. He is upset the party kept investigating without telling him anything, but does acknowledge the Hacketts would be the one to know where Eldridge is, if anyone does. Pax wants to know if anything felt off about Gray, but doesn't specify what he's looking for, so Asa and Nyx don't have any good answers. He disagrees with Gray's assertion everyone has cut ties with Eldridge, and doesn't understand how she could have built a life away from Eldridge while he was forced to spend time locked up in a basement.

In the afternoon, Asa visits COAST. He has a nice chat with Arlo, and they catch up. Arlo hasn't been doing anything new, and COAST overall has mostly been laying low, since their level of organization could read as suspicious. Asa asks after being able to earn money as part of COAST, and learns they're able to turn in all sorts of supernatural creatures, which go to whoever needs them. Arlo doesn't have specifics on who they're selling to. On the way out, Arlo tells Asa to let him know if anyone from COAST is giving him trouble, since some of their groups are very competitive--though Asa won't likely have to deal with this, since he's on the outskirts of the organization.

Kuno drops by Hollis's apartment in the evening, having brought dinner. He is surprised when the door is opened by the seraphim, whose eyes are unbandaged. Kuno lets himself in, calling out to let Hollis know he's there. Kuno is even more surprised when the seraphim informs him Hollis isn't home right now, and offers to make tea, saying he can hear inside the apartment. He accepts tea, and starts up a conversation with the seraphim, introducing himself.

The seraphim has mostly finished thanking Kuno for taking him in when Hollis enters the apartment, yelling at Na'arisiel to not just open the door to anyone who knocks. He is relieved to see it's just Kuno, and finishes the introductions, giving the seraphim's name as Reis. Since Reis is a seraphim he can siphon energy from Hollis's sword, which, combined with the fact Hollis's apartment is extremely well-warded, has left him more or less anchored in the present. However, Reis's memory is still fractured, and he has no idea why he's here.

As part of the dinner conversation, Kuno brings up what the party learned about Giles's project for the Future Prospects Conference in 514. Hollis doesn't know anything about this beyond what's been on the news, but he agrees it's good to have a lead. Before leaving, Kuno asks if being able to call ahead would be useful, and Hollis starts carrying a phone again.

Colby checks on Nate, who is happy for the company. His apartment is still out of power, to which Colby once again offers Nate can stay with him if he needs it. While Nate appreciates the offer, he doesn't want to be underfoot, and turns Colby down again. The two have a nice evening.

Over dinner, Ben mentions he hasn't been appreciating Sam arriving back at all hours of the night recently.

#### **Sam Goes on a Short Walk and Nothing Bad Happens**

##### **Tuesday, April 6th, 543:**

Nyx texts Sam, saying they've got to chat and that she'll be at his place soon. Sam reminds her she doesn't know where he lives, and lets her know he's on the way to her apartment, as well as going to bring whiskey.

   On the way to Nyx's apartment, Sam encounters another member of the Heavenly Host. This one is more human-shaped than the last, and wastes no time waiting to attack Sam.
Panicking, Sam doesn't manage to do much more than run. He is knocked to the ground when he tries to backtrack and leave the street, and swarmed by tracing beams of light. One of the beams carves most of the way through his leg. With a jumbled mess of swearing and half-remembered prayers pouring from his mouth, Sam does little more than try desperately to avoid the beams of light.

    He’s on his way to being riddled with holes when something arrives behind him. A glance over his shoulder reveals a massive dog-shaped figure, with three heads and jutting spines. Cracks spread from where it stands, radiating heat and light. Sam stumbles out of the way, and the dog lunges at the Host.

The dog tears into the Host, and it's a rough fight. The dog gets in the way of a few beams of light intended for Sam, but does a significant amount of damage to the Host. It isn't enough, however, since Sam doesn't manage to dodge a collection of the beams fast enough, and gets skewered, a gaping hole carved through his chest.

#### **Holey Intervention**

At Nyx's apartment, the doorbell rings. She answers it to reveal MacLaughagan leaning heavily on the doorframe, holding Sam's body. Nyx lets him in, and the demon deposits Sam on Nyx's bed before asking if Nyx has a first-aid kit. She provides one, and Mac starts bandaging the holes in himself while explaining the situation: Sam got attacked by a Dominion, and since MacLaughagan interfered he revealed that a hereto-thought-dead demon isn't actually dead, which he now has to pretend isn't associated with him at work tomorrow. Anyone in Hell putting the situation together is a death sentence, and his timeline has overall been truncated to a few days. To add insult to injury, Mac wasn't able to kill the Dominion, and instead got fairly injured about it.

The demon elaborates that getting Sam back isn't the easiest of affairs, since he has to go through review. However, if the party thinks they're going to keep getting into fights with the Host, MacLaughagan can interfere if Sam is in danger. He also mentioned that he was killed at one point by the same demon that killed Sam, but doesn't elaborate, just complains Sam ought to get on with getting revenge for them.

#### **The Lower Miami Tourism Board Invites You to Visit**

Having regained some of his composure, and no longer bleeding as much, the demon lets Nyx assemble the rest of the party. When everyone arrives, he explain the situation. He also has a proposition: Orias has custodial access to Hell, so if Mac asks (and then goes behind Orias's back), he can get a gateway for the party to go through. At that point, they would have a few hours to get Sam from the waiting room, if he hasn't wandered off, as well as to retrieve MacLaughagan's snake bite lip rings from the trophy room. Infiltrating Hell is actually fairly straightforward, since it's constructed of mortal souls and thus they don't have to worry about security cameras, but they do have to worry about being spotted by any of the residents. The navigation is designed for convenience, so doors will lead wherever someone needs them to, though since the party isn't from Hell there might be a few steps in-between.

As an aside, Nyx mentions she heard Sephtis's violin again, and learns she can hear it since she was introduced to Sephtis and knows what he does, which is important to that flavor of extraplanar entity.

Having briefed the party, MacLaughagan has to go to work tomorrow, so the party has something like 24 hours to prepare.

That evening, Asa sees the pianist from Club Revival on the street outside his apartment, staring at his window. By the time Asa gets down to the street, they have vanished, leaving a red bandana where they were standing.

Sam wakes up, in a sparsely-furnished room. He is sat on a bench, wearing ill-fitting clothes embroidered with his name. The only other thing of note in the room is a door.

## Quotes

**Fillan:** “It’s never a good time, come on down.”

**Kuno:** "Throwing nouns at people--gotta do it."

**Jamie:** “My dude I do tax evasion.”

**Ibarra:** “Might as well do something with my life, because currently I am just riding trains.”

**Kai:** “Business aside you’re really really gay.”

**Ezra:** “Take a look around, for any suspicious activity.” | **Kellen:** “It’s all illegal!”

**Kai:** “Listen, hypocrisy is one of [Sam’s] many middle names.”

**Kellen:** “If you want to find how quickly we can have laws, robbing a bank would be it.”

**Mac:** “…and I can’t bring him back.” | **Asa:** “Isn’t that your job?”

**Mac:** “I have a proposition, and it’s going to *suck.”*

**Kai:** “If we die in hell we die in real life.”

← Session 27 | Session 29 →