Meeting the Oracle

Iskra Doynov (Oracle)

Elijah Stone (Reverb)

Andy Lee (Torchlight)

## MOUSE 🐁 | Isk | Dax

A neon sign flashed outside the shop to welcome any passers-by, Isk didn’t have any client appointments today so mostly she was just manning the shop and giving short readings to any who wandered in from outside. The shop was dimly lit and dusty, the shelves full of endless books on a range of different topics from crystal healing to the occasional occult book. The objects in the shop were varied and many just for show. A ravens skull sat on the top of her till which was of the old-fashioned style and was on its last legs. Isk had busied herself that day organizing the little showcase where she kept a manner of crystals that people could purchase from her.

She didn’t personally believe in a lot of the things she sold people in the shop, but she wasn’t one to judge – being the girl who talked to dead people and all. Tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear she glanced up as someone walked into the shop. She went to offer him her usual friendly greeting when she noticed that ever so slight faded edge that gave away who he really was. She glanced up at him as she sorted through the colorful objects but he just stood there not really looking at her or acknowledging her presence. A great many of the wandering spirits tended not to pay her much mind. It was rare that they came to her for any reason other than that they just happened to end up in her presence, almost like some of them were drawn to her. She tried not to bother these spirits, but still found them deeply unnerving. Sure enough, when she glanced up at him once more he was gone.

January 22, 2019

## Mob Boss Peggy

Friday afternoon, after his surprisingly enjoyable meeting with Marceline, Andy had one entry on his list of things to do that both excited and daunted him. He was going to meet a hero that had been rather elusive since her joining. She had never stepped foot in Headquarters and only rarely showed herself on the forums, but Andy thought that it was time to reveal this mysterious woman finally call her to duty.

Poor Elijah just happened to be around, and so Andy caught him by the arm and dragged him to Eaux Claires in the man's truck.

"Now, this woman is *very* interesting. She's... into the *unusual*. Then again, *we're* kinda' unusual, aren't we?" Andy warned, after they had parked near a strip mall outside of the center of the district.

He led Elijah to an odd, unassuming little shop. The sign said 'Fortune Telling', and it had all the makings of a shady new age, mystic shop. Andy was excited about this. He looked at Elijah and gave him an optimistic smile as he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Immediately, a warm scent hit him that he found rather comforting. Glancing around the shop, he was entranced by all of the little goodies hanging from the walls and placed around every surface. Some of those things, he even had in his home, such as mood crystals and colorful, fortune-promoting talismans.

His attention eventually drifted to the other end of the stop where there was a young woman with long hair seemingly staring out at nothing. A small smile crept onto his face as he said the name that came to his mind.

"Oracle?"(edited)

## Jax (Pin King)

Andy had been deceptively quiet about who exactly they were here to meet. Eli knew that it was someone from the RPdex that he hadn't met yet and that they worked somewhere in the mall that he had just pulled into. As they parked Andy had mentioned that this person was *Interesting.* "Well that's vague and somewhat ominous." Eli muttered as he locked up the truck and followed Andy. They past a few grocery stores and general stores and Eli walked slightly behind and to the right of Andy swaying his view back and forth. To anyone passing by he might look like a bodyguard if not for his casual clothing.

When Eli noticed that Andy started walking with a bit more purpose he followed the mans gaze to the storefront covered in oddities and signs indicating the services of fortune telling and other macabre practices. Eli stepped up to Andy's side and whispered to him as they kept pace. "When you said interesting I didn't think you meant a literal witch doctor."

As they entered the smell on cinnamon filled his nostrils. Maybe a hint of vanilla. He held back by the door as Andy looked around briefly. Eli folded his arms over his chest and drew his elbows in a little. He had seen a few stores like this while visiting New Orleans, but it seemed the uneasy feeling he got crossed state lines. When Andy spoke with the woman at the counter Eli stepped up behind him.

## MOUSE 🐁 | Isk | Dax

Isk tore her eyes away from where the spirit had stood as two men entered her shop. She pushed herself off the counter where she was busying herself sorting the crystals and smiled warmly at them both.

"Welcome! What can I do for you both?" Her voice had the edges of an accent that was barely detectable.

They were an odd pair, the larger of the two seemed to hover uneasily at the entrance as if concerned by her little emporium of the strange. She smiled at him, mildly amused, before casting her gaze back to the other. He felt oddly familiar to her, but she couldn't place him. She cast her eyes up and down to take in his appearance. Generally she was wary of strangers, a contradiction of lacking trust and hating being alone often left her at a lonely cross roads between being sociable and outgoing and distant and detached.

She tucked another strand of her dark hair behind her ear, a nervous habit, and fiddled absent mindedly with some jars of various herbs and tea whilst waiting on their response. She mentally made a note to get some fresh chamomile from her greenhouse later.(edited)

January 23, 2019

## Mob Boss Peggy

Andy stood up straight as the Oracle noticed him and Elijah browsing, trying to put on a more confident air than he did in his usual slumped posture.

She didn't recognize him. Well, of course she didn't. "It's me, Torchlight! My name is Andy. Andy Lee." He remarked cheerily, holding out a hand in greeting. Tossing a thumb behind him, he introduced Eli as well. "This is Elijah. He's, uh, what's your name on the RPDex again, Eli?"

## Jax (Pin King)

The woman that greeted them seemed friendly enough. Younger than Eli though not by much he would guess, and when she spoke the accent appeared to be more of a mystery than some of the contents of the store around him.

"Rythm." Eli replied bluntly. He still wasnt sure why Andy had brought him along. It may have been purely a desire for companionship. But considering he was talking to this lady about the RPDex it was more likely team related. So Eli was all business.

Eli held out his hand for a handshake. "Elijah Stone. But everyone calls me Eli."

## MOUSE 🐁 | Isk | Dax

She nodded when Andy introduced himself, that was why he seemed familiar and why she couldn't work it out. She bit down on her lip as two hands were offered to her. She typically didn't shake hands. Sometimes all it took was brushing past someone.

"I..um...cant..." She glanced between their hands awkwardly, not wanted to appear rude. "Sorry I dont mean to be... difficult." *weird, strange, odd, freakish* she left the unsaid words hanging in the air.

Trying to breeze past it before one of them thought to question why she moved behind the till to create a physical barrier between them and changed the subject.

"Iskra.. you can call me Isk." She let out a small nervous laugh and ran a hand through her hair. Her usual confidence stripped in front of someone... potentially two people who knew about her powers, it wasnt something she was used to.

"Is there... um... a reason you are here?" The words sounded awkward, like she couldnt find the right way to ask them.(edited)

## Mob Boss Peggy

When Iskra refused to take his hand in what he assumed was the nicest way possible, Andy simply retracted it. "Ah, okay, n-no worries!" He laughed lightly to try and dispel any tension. "I understand!" It wouldn't have been the first time he had met a superpowered human with an aversion to touch.

"Iskra," He repeated following the woman to the till and taking his place on the opposite side. He felt oddly at ease in the shop, which looked a bit like an extension of his own house. Aunt Jennie would've loved this place.

"Yes, actually there is. As you know, we have begun to mobilize. I want you to know that there's a place for you among us." Instead of leaving it at that cryptic statement, he continued on to explain.

"There's a menace wandering around the city. A woman who can raise the dead and use them to kill others. We have an idea of who she might be, but we don't know where she is or how she does what she does. She's already struck once, but we have no clue when or where she'll strike again. Eli, you were there, could you tell her what you saw?"

January 24, 2019

## Jax (Pin King)

Eli retracted his hand and offered an understanding smile. " All good. It's nice to meet you Isk."

Eli Tensed when Andy began to speak of the hospital incident. He had originally planned to try and investigate the woman involved but could't bring himself to pull on that particular thread. He wasn't sure how the others had pulled up after that incident but still had nightmares about it every couple of nights. He shuddered a little before realising that Andy had asked him a question.

"Glass orb about this big." He held up his hands and intertwined his fingers forming a two handed fist. "Dark purple, glowed a little, and was really fragile. Filled with this sort of dust. Abit like mushroom spores, if you breathed any in you feel nauseous for a while. They were embedded in the chests of corpses. Once the orb broke, the zombie stopped." Eli paused for a moment and scrunched his face up, trying hard to remember. "Uh...I think that's it." He looked at Andy and shrugged a little.

January 25, 2019

## MOUSE 🐁 | Isk | Dax

Isk felt herself tense a little at the mention of them having a place for her among them. *This is what you wanted.* she reminded herself internally.

"Necromancer" She repeated under her breath whilst shaking her head slightly, her expression was one of disgust. The dead where supposed to be left dead.

"And you think I might know where she is?" Being insulted helped to piece her usual walled confidence back together and she leaned back on the counter behind her with her arms crossed and eyebrow raised. It was quite difficult to insult her but implying she had ties with such an aborent character.

She tensed further, however, when Eli explained the incident further. She pursed her lips and unfolded her arms.
"Did they cause any other symptoms? Any long term effects?"(edited)

January 27, 2019

## Mob Boss Peggy

Andy nodded briskly at the term 'Necromancer'. Years--- even months ago, he would have never thought that such a thing was possible. There were superpowers, sure, but this felt unusual. It was almost like... *Magic.*

 Over the past couple of weeks, Andy's vast knowledge of superhumans had been challenged and he was being to realize that there was a lot more out there that he didn't know.

The concept was both terrifying and fascinating.

"I know you don't know where she is, but I think you'd be able to help us find her. A lot of dead were present at the crime scene. There has got to be a spirit or two left wandering down there."(edited)

## Jax (Pin King)

"We haven't noticed any other symptoms in the three that were exposed to the dust so we think that the subject has to be dead before transformation. Which is why the Necromancer targeted a morgue, but until we find her or she strikes again this is all speculation. We don't really have the means to locate her without drawing unwanted attention. The Necromancer probably doesn't know we are looking for her. We'd like to keep that up as long as possible." Eli Had been thinking about this particular case since the hospital incident. Now that he was a team leader he would need to focus on multiple cases at once but he really wanted to try and clear this one quickly.

The potential threat this Necromancer presented was unprecedented. Any large incident could turn into the start of an undead incursion if she got there quick enough. "Forgive me but I wasn't briefed on your particular abilities." He resisted the urge to glance at Andy as he continued. "What exactly do you... Do?"

## MOUSE 🐁 | Isk | Dax

Isk found herself looking Andy over again, he wasn't exactly what she had expected although his presence made her feel oddly at ease. She couldn't say as much for the other man who looked so woefully out of place in her little shop, not to mention uncomfortable. She tried to offer him a small reassuring smile, but she was used to people reacting in such a way. She knew his question was one he might regret asking but he would find out one way or another.

"I can summon and speak with spirits." She gave a short and simple explanation in an attempt to negate the obvious disturbing nature of her powers.

"I can try and get in contact with their spirits..." She seemed a little uncomfortable at the prospect of using her powers in such a way. It would mean she was actually getting involved in their hero efforts. "I mean... It would be better if it was done at the crime scene, and if I knew their names." she pursed her lips and frowned. "But they likely died in a pretty... *traumatic* way so we might be inviting more trouble if I do."

January 28, 2019

## Mob Boss Peggy

Andy looked at Elijah when he asked what Iskra did, and simply smiled, letting the woman explain it herself. He didn't catch on to how uncomfortable Elijah was. Sometimes it was hard for him to believe that anyone couldn't be as fascinated by odd things the way he was.

He looked down at the counter and then up again when presented with her options. "I can't promise you any names, but we *can* make it into the crime scene. Even though it means we have to break in. There's always a way. Iskra-- Isk, no matter what happens, I'll have your back. I won't let you go there alone, and I'll find somebody else that can help too, if it gets dangerous."

Spirits, undead and witches sounded like some sort of horror movie, but Andy found himself way less afraid of them than he did the prospect of an actual villain that could create such monsters. His gaze was locked on the younger woman's face, as serious as the mission itself.

"This necromancer needs to be stopped. We're the only ones who can do it. Will you join us, Isk?"

January 29, 2019

## Jax (Pin King)

"Oh..." Eli could't think of anything else to say. The idea that "spirits" existed at all was insane to him, but the idea that Isk could somehow contact them was unnerving to no end. It wasn't the first time he had heard someone claim a connection to the afterlife but this was the first time he actually sort of believed it. A lot of those fortune telling, Tarot Cards and Ouija board types tended to be loud and proud of their "ability". The way Isk spoke seemed more sincere. More real.

Breaking into the hospital shouldn't be too hard. Considering the power sets available to them Eli could think of at least three ways in of the top of his head. Marci making an illusion and allowing them to walk in, though he wasn't sure if she could trick cameras. Leo could stretch up and gain access through the roof or a window. Venus could come in through basically any pipe or water source, Sam too. Eli wondered if Sam could shrink a scuba suit.

Eli pulled himself back to the moment and forced himself to focus on the here and now. On how Isk would respond.

## MOUSE 🐁 | Isk | Dax

Isk considered it for a moment, letting the silence fall heavy in the air. She wasnt sure what she had expected when she joined the Rpdex. It certainly wasnt two men she barely knew turning up on her doorstep asking her fight some zombies.

She had wanted to use her powers to help people though, and for more than just palour tricks and fortune telling. Despite the appearance of her shop if someone came to her in genuine distress she would always help them with no questions and without charge. She didnt believe in pimping out her powers to take advantage of those in need. Equally despite some high price offers she had refused to allow people to garnish information from the dead for their own selfish needs. Lost in her thoughts for a moment she bit her lip nervously Eventually she gave a small nod.

"Okay, Ill help." She said with a small smile.

January 30, 2019

## Mob Boss Peggy

Andy felt himself anxious as he watched Iskra's face awaiting her reply. He was sure that she would agree to the mission. She was a member of their cause just by being a member of his group, despite not ever meeting him in person before today. However, the anxiety he felt at the possibility that she wouldn't agree to it stemmed greatly from his meeting with Vindaya - a meeting that had been affecting his thoughts in many, unexpected ways. One of which being the thought that there were likely more than just one hero unwilling to do whatever it took for the cause itself. It was a wholly uncomfortable feeling that put his normally unwavering trust for his team on edge.

Iskra's agreement was met with a relieved smile that matched hers in its modesty. Dutifully, Andy nodded. "I want you to come to my home tomorrow and meet the others. It's an important day for us, and we can plan our next moves then. Tomorrow at seven in the morning. If you want to, you can dress appropriately for training and maybe you could join in!"

Before the unlikely pair left the Oracle's shop, Andy eagerly purchased an herbal smudge bundle from Iskra with every intention of burning it during their group training session. "You might be the only person who sells these in Canora Klau." He said, before warmly thanking Iskra and departing with his head held high.