The weather was settling into Summer and it seemed fitting that Sun was ruling the roost. The late, long afternoon drew long shadows across the town which only alleviated the heat a little. The Watchers were called by the new Watcher-Elect who was perched up in the Morocco Room that was the back of Glimmerdark. Hey squishy seating all over made for great min expansion opportunities. Aside from the usual fare there was a large kylix filled with water in the middle of the room.
The host himself was as high Wyrd as ever, and here in closed quarters? No colour but reds and shades of grey would survive. Sorry Dielle. He had a coffee, and his antennae twitched watching people arrive. The shop out front was closed for the night. Convenient that.
Nathania walks in, and is suddenly in shades of grey, red, and an occasional pink. The patchwork rag dolly frowns a little but brightens considerably at the group. "Hello, all." She waves and takes a seat, looking lost at the low light. No knitting for her.
Rozalia isn’t new to the area, but she’s new to the Watchers. The woman with the tattoos and the vibrant bluish green hair gives a look to her locks when they turn Crimson and she shrugs as if she’s fine with it. She then gives a smile to everyone, her hands move as she speaks also, “Good evening, everyone.” she states. Apparently someone knew that ASL was needed this evening. The Romanian woman then finds a seat and settles into it quietly.
Dielle is already sitting there, all grey and sad except for the bits of red. "Hey, Nathania", she says. She's laying on the floor, her head on a pillow, looking comfortable. Possibly even a bit sleepy.
Look what the cat dragged in? Tom O'Leary, in the flesh, though there's some ratty and raggedy ways that the mad tomcat seems to have embraced that doesn't match up with his last common appearance in local freehold public. He looks like he's been on a bender. No, on several, never-ending, like he skipped shaving and changing clothes from three days ago but not his morning six-pack of beer. He scrubs at his eyes and scratches at his crotch and he doesn't really greet anybody -- too busy sniffing the air. It's hard to tell if Alley-cat is meant to be there, even.
Rorschach moved his fingers from his mouth to a gesture tucking hand over the other wrist in a 'good evening' back to Rozalia. His eye drift to Nathania and he extended a hand out to her palm up in welcome. A hand nudged sleepy Unicorn's head and indicated to her <<wakey wakey>>. Some here signed, and some did not so there was the request out <<If one of you can let Tom and Nathania know I'll offer a day pledge to them for speaking tongues tonight to make things easier on them I'm down.>> Which would just speed things up a bit for translation purposes.
Rozalia gives a smile to Dielle and Rorschach and then gives a nod of her head as Ror signs and she gives a few finger motions back signalling she can do that. Then she turns to Tom and Nathania, "Rorschach said that he can offer a Day Pledge for tonight to be able to speak tongues so that things are easier." she offers to them.
"Sure." Nathania smiles. "I'd love... to be able... to understand. I should probably... learn the language... anyway." And then she upnods to Dielle. "Hey, unicorn." And nods to Roz and Tom.
Dielle looks vaguely annoyed because hey, that's HER job. She makes an exaggerated shrug and hand gesture that indicates, hey, that's what he said. There might be an eye roll there, too.
Tom makes a growling sound of frustration that devolves to a look of confusion, neither of which are precisely aimed at anyone in the room. He flops himself down in a place that probably isn't indicated seating, and takes a second to answer. "What? Yeah. Talking. I can do the talk thing....WORDS." He bats a hand as if to indicate 'go on'. There's a sense of him starting to figure out who's around him, still flicking his ears a little bit.
The Roach pulled his scarred lips into a skeletal grin that was just haunting, but hey there needed to be things in this world that helped Fairest look approachable by contrast, right? Still he offered pledge to those that didn't already sign or wanted to do a crash course for the night. That done he signed to each of them <<Most of us have met, either here or the other side. Tom? I got a box in the back for you buddy>> His eyebrows waggled. That meant good shit. But that wasn't the primary reason for the gather. <<I'm not one for speeches so here it is: Boyd got called out and can no longer fulfill his duties here and we have thanked him for getting us this far. I've been asked to be your Watcher-Elect for now. My name is Robbie, but almost everyone calls me Rorschach. I am a Padre of Silent Nights, and also serve as a Lt. in the Harvestmen handling stealth ops, and am a member of the Moon Court. As such I'm neck deep in dream navigation and nightmare hunting and trapping.>>
His antennae swayed in thought and he found words, << I serve to protect the nest; protect our colony and it's in some trouble. Our people are relying on us to stay one step ahead and help protect us from things unseen. You all can have whatever you need of me to protect our home. For many of us it's the only one we have. If you can introduce yourselves, your entitlement, your court if any, how you'd like to help and assets? Awesome. If you have questions of me you're welcome to ask. Yes I bite. I try not to. >> He grinned faintly and listened to each of them in turn.
Dielle snickers at the 'biting' comment. "Dielle Henner, Sister in the Family of Silent Nights. Dawn Court. I don't do prophetic dreams, but I can sure as hell watch over people's dreams and help combat nasty-ass things in 'em."
Nathania speaks in her slow, soft voice. "I'm... Nathania Winters, of selfsame... Court. Bishop... of Blackbirds. I was in... a similar organization... back in my last... Freehold. I'd like... to help protect dreams... and keep people safe. It's... important to me." She nods, and grins over at Dielle.
Roz gives a bit of a look around to the others in attendance. She doesn’t say anything else for the moment, she just sits back in the seat she’s acquired and lets her glowing eyes track people as they speak. When news that Boyd is no longer in charge is confirmed there’s a nod from the woman. She continues to listen and waits until the others have finished before she introduces herself, “I’m Rozalia Cobalescu, Roz is fine. I’m a Lord Sage of the Unknown Reaches and of the Dusk Court. I have prophetic Dreams and am well versed in the Contract of Omens. I’d like to keep us ahead of what troubles we are currently facing given the Soundless wanting to trip us up.” she frowns to that.
Tom ends up licking the back of his wrist to slick back his hair out of his eyes. This would work if he were on four legs, damn it. All the styling product a fuzzy boy needs. "Tom O'Leary. A knight of ghosts and shadows, Court of the Moon. Titles are for dicks." Way to insult the entire room, Tommy Boy. Of course, manner means a lot; he says this at least as much to announce that he hasn't got one, with some humor. Plus, he did say Moon. "Hey, uh, bug. Do you need me to do anything? I can beat up whatever's a problem. Whether the thing to beat up is there or not."
Rorschach warmed a lopsided grin to Tom and signed back to him <<Fuck yes I need you to beat up things. I got half digested by a squirrel and there's a tree parked outside.>> Responsibilities Yes, but that has never left the Moon Court from taking anything too too serious. Still the wastelander looked to each of them and pointed to them in pairs <<Roz, Tom? We'll definitely be in need of whatever visions are coming down the pipeline. Nathania, I've watched you and your skills sorting dreams and also as a Blackbird? Could very much help save us from ourselves. Dielle? I know you cause I trained you. What we can offer is protection for the other watchers, you all, We'll be getting a dream trap to you as part of your gear. To keep with you when you crash or zone out. Keep things from getting in. That said we have two big issues: The Soundless, and that fucking contest and a recent development last couple nights with that. What do you all know so far on either?>>
Dielle nods at Rorschach and settles back to watch everyone. She's entirely too relaxed, that's what. "What are the developments? I hadn't heard about those."
"Shit, man, I dunno anything, since I've been out for...how long have I been out for? Weeks," Tom tells Rorschach. "But I know I can go kick that tree's ASS right now if you want me to. Should I go?" He doesn't get up, though this appears to be a serious offer. "I can start seeing things any time you want me to, too. I'm seeing things right now." He flashes a fangy grin in Roz's direction in particular, one that totters on the line of unsettling vs friendly.
"I'm capable of beating things up as well, just not my first line of work." Roz chuckles a bit. "I can report anything that crosses my brain vision wise. If I need to focus on specifics, please let me know." she states. Then she reaches up and rubs her face, "Ah yes, the trip to Arcadia contest. Green isn't one of the initiated as far as I know, so maybe watching them is needed." she states. She gives a look to Tom when he gives her the fangy grin, "I'll bite you back." she smiles at him brightly.
"Oh." Nathania flushes. "Yeah. That contest. I've got... my eyes on ... Green."
Rorschach grinned and settled back into his cushion. His crew could hang. This was good. Still though a seriousness took him and his head and antennae wobbled. <<So I have the article here> He unfolded it and put it out on the table next to the kylix for anyone to examine (+bboard 3/30). <<The story is very Boiler Room in nature. Fake company sends high profile person to invite humans to contest to win trip to Arcadia "Florida". The tests to win are all to see if they are psychic. here's the problem with this:
- Generally anyone reporting haveing gifts before capture have lost them in the Undoing becoming Lost. Some of us get that replaced with something else. Ergo, they aren't trying to turn a prophetic mortal into a Changeling as they'd actually lose value as far as we can tell.
- What would they be gaining? If someone has a gift of sight? They could easily be reprogrammed and pledged down into being used as a homing device for us or chattel. This is now our present concern. A psychic in their hands could be absolutely disastrous in picking us out.
Nathania nods slowly, thoughtful, hands slowly wringing together. She looks to Dielle, then Roz, then Tom, and finally back to Rorschach.
Dryly, Dielle says, "Many, you sure know how to throw a party, Robbie. Nattie, how close an eye are you keeping on that girl? Cuz I don't know her at all."
"Close," the blonde rag dolly says to Dielle. "Very... close."
Tom chuckles low and makes a head-butt gesture at Roz without actually bumping against her, that little cat-twist of the head. "I foresee THAT," he declares before going quieter, shifting focus to what Rorschach presents. "Any chance it's a honeypot with Arcadia in the title to try to, like...be obvious, get people investigating who would have an interest in things called Arcadia, try to get some of us...I hear...who have less caution than brains to out themselves?" This appears to be a question less to present a Brilliant Idea and more the kind of question where a fluffbrains tries to verify that he's following the entire deal.
Roz gives Tom a wink then she turns her head and watches Rorschach after she's looked away from the Cat. His questions make her 'hmm' thoughtfully, "So they are trying to collect people that have powers is one theory." she nods to this. "I know Green, but I'm not as close as Nathania is to her obviously." she offers. Then there's a bit of a look to Ror, "Have we had anyone look into the people that hosted further? I'm not suggesting we take a trip to Florida at the moment." she states.
The Roach tapped the side of his nose. <<Yeah absolutely. That's the sort of bullshit my Family would pull in a heartbeat. Possibly the Soundless too. Step one to being a paranoid sunnova bitch who lives a long healthy free life? Don't assume the events are isolated, but don't assume they are either. This Green and the Custodians have been doing some good fact checking. We need to back up their research seeing a- the voracity of this claim. B- we need to find out more about this winner, a Franklyn Garreau. Says she won a car? Might have tracking in it I dunno. Some people can just read objects. Presently next step is to find out where this company's holdings are. My next step is to go on site and see what the facility is about. The good news is I can shortcut to Savannah. From there to Florida trickier but I can get a shortcut set up if we prove we need one. Thing is I think Florida is a red herring. I think they got a place in state. If they're a BS company they might not have physical brick and mortar. that's what we need to discern and carefully. The abyss looks back.>>
Dielle starts taking mental notes. As of yet, she won't add anything to the conversation, but in spite of her relaxed demeanor, she is sure as shit paying attention!
Nathania listens carefully, watching Rorschach intently with those button eyes.
Whine. "Florida is hot, Bug," Tom observes in petulant don't-wanna tones before his attention shifts slowly to the ceiling as if reading the patterns there. Flick-flick goes his attention. "I think I met Franklyn Garreau once, maybe," he says distractedly. "Maybe? I'm not sure if that happened yet. I gotta admit, I'm still kinda woooooooooooh about things, so it might be." Poor Franklyn, if he's put on the job of making friends and influencing.
"If we need any monetary funding for this...or if I need to bribe someone, please let me know. Sometimes people react to large amounts of cash easier than other things." Roz states as she looks to the others. "I can see if my realtor contact can find a place here in town as well if there is one." she offers.
Rorschach shook his head signing <<Naw, Tommy. If i'm goin to Florida you're coming wiht me. Besides you're the only other one here that I'm aware of that'll fit through a tube.>> Oh goodie ti'll be hot and uncomfortable. <<So for now, we need to use our skills to see what we can really find out about this Herr Feldman and Mlle. Dumont, the Feldman Institute, and Franklyn Garreau. Roz you said you can help take up a real estate angle? I can put ear to the street and see who might have heard what. Someone's got to work there right? Any takers on conferring with custodians about Franklyn and the car? Our one hat trick is there's a woman named Max and from the data gathered was there and can tell us more. She might have already been checked out with the custodians though. Anyone want to volunteer to get with them to resource gather?>>
"I'm... a Custodian. I can... do it," Nathania says. She smiles gently. "I don't... mind."
"Oh, yeah. Max." Dielle's voice is flat. "I volunteer Nathania. When I get near that woman, I just wanna punch her, that won't help. Well, won't help /us/."
Tom's pupils grow as he focuses briefly on Dielle. "D'you need me to help punch her? I mean, I am stealthy. I swear." He isn't. Some cats can be, but Tom is too much larger than life that way. He's the doofy type who rattles the garbage cans and brings in the dead things and bats your face until you wake up. He groans again. "Stupid hot Florida. Fine, fine."
Roz gives a soft nod when Ror talks about her checking in with her Real Estate contact, "I can do that, yep." she states to them. Talk of the Custodians doesn't get an answer from her, but Nathania volunteered already! "Want a portable fan to take, Tom?" she asks him.
Rorschach signed to Tom with a wry grin <<That's why we love you most, brother.>> He nodded to Nathania signing a 'thank you' to her and to Roz. <<In the meantime, Dielle, need your help getting a dream trap made for every one in the group. If it trips... we'll know. it'll buy you time to bail out and not have someone try to reverse hack your dreams. Can't be too careful. Whatever other means you have I invite you to get creative but let's treat this like a trap and not poke too hard at it. Roz is right. This could be a test to see how fast we react and how long our reach is. Tom? I don't believe anyone is in fucking Florida. I think you're safe. Any questions for me that I can answer for you?>>
Dielle fake hat-tips to Rorschach. "Can do, bossman. Tom, much as I want to take you up on that, it'll be counter-productive." She sounds disappointed as hell. Awwwww.
Tom sticks a big paw up like the class clown preparing his officially-sanctioned under-the-radar zinger. "Is there anything more about the rest of it that we need to Do Things About? And does anybody have a beer?" he asks.
Roz gives a shake of her head, "Nothing here for the moment. I'll report what I've got as it comes." she tells everyone. Then there's a look to Tom as he asks if anyone has a beer and she pats the pockets on her jean shorts, "Ah. Fresh out." she states to that. Then she gives a look to the others.
Rorschach grinned to Tom and shrugged, "I got better. I got you a gift back from New York. Again it's in the box man. Now as good as the lizard tree bark, but fun shit>> He turned to them each and said simply <>
| 