The sky is grey in the morning, with a desultory drizzle that is very out of place in August. Thunder rolls in the distance and the weather brings hot chocolate and yellowing leaves to mind, though summer has yet to release her grip.

At the Gremarye Institute the questers have gathered again in Tess' room.

As the first people begin arriving at her room, Tess opens the doors, dressed in comfortable jeans and a baggy OSU basketball t-shirt. Her hair is still slightly damp from a morning shower, and the smell of cigarette smoke clings to her.

As everyone gathers into her room, Tess says, "Bad news. Couldn't get an appointment with him today. Said he had a meeting today." Tess makes her way over to the small desk that her computer had been set up on the night before, and straightens up a few papers. She grabs a half full ash tray and takes it to the small kitchenette of the apartment. After dumping it in the trash, she grabs a huge bottle of Febreeze, and starts to spray her clothing, as well as the furniture around her desk. "I ought to go buy some stock in this stuff. Dr. Rowan prefers we don't smoke on school grounds but...."

Looking to the folks that were supposed to drive by Logan's house the night before, Tess asks, "So, any luck from your end?"

"Nothing. The house was dark. He apparently wasn't there when he responded to your email." Sebastian crosses his hooves and leans back against a door jamb. "There's always my idea: use magic. But I'm not so sure that's a good idea in broad daylight. This book comes close enough to breaking the Escheat. I don't need to add to it. We can all stake out his house and see what's up, though. See if he ever comes out. Or home. I think we should go as soon as possible, though. Let's hope we didn't miss him."

"We can still use magic," Jubair pipes up. "The thing is, it has to be simple, non-overt. Nothing like following a ball of light - that would be bad in terms of the Escheat." Jubair sits at a chair, idly fiddling with a painted coin. "Tess, did the e-mail address give a rough idea of where he was? If it was a work e-mail address, it limits possibilities. If not, the stakeout is probably our best option at the moment. Unless someone can think of anything else more feasible in the next say minute or so, I suggest we high-tail it to his place and watch for him."

"Well, its an OSU email address. 'Course, I'm not sure if it a personal account, or if he works there. That's not really very much, I guess," Tess walks a bit more into the kitchen, and starts playing in the cabinets. Pulling down a few mugs, she ducks her head under the cabinets and calls out. "Coffee anyone? I'm afraid I don't have much to eat."

"Tea please. White with two," Jubair calls back.

"Tea?" Tess says, a slight sigh to her voice. "Let me see if I have any left." Tess rummages for a few moments, and finally brings out a small box. "All I have left is this flavored stuff. That okay?"

"That's fine thanks," Jubair calls back.

Chely asks, "Do you have a coke or something Miss Tess? And can I go on the search with the glowing ball. That seems like more fun than sitting around here doing trig or whatever."

"Sure, you both are coming today," Tess says. "No classes until we get this figured out. Unless I decide to be mean." Tess shoots the girls a friendly grin.

Tess brings out mugs to those who want some, and sits down on the desk chair. Looking to Jubair, Tess says, "Did you have any particular enchantment in mind?"

Jubair sits for a moment and thinks. "I know this one is probably a violation of the Escheat, but it's the best I can think of at the moment," Jubair says after a short while. "Sebby mentioned something about following a glowing sphere. Why don't you do that anyway? See if you can get it to track this C. E. Logan fellow with it. However, may I suggest that the most... 'normal-looking' people follow the light to him - no offense, but if he gets approached by a goat-man and a giant blue thing, he's probably going to freak out slightly. Again, I know this isn't going to be an Escheat-friendly action, but if this will get our author, the Escheat can go and bite me," Jubair finishes. "What do you guys think of it?"

Sebby looks pensive for a moment, then speaks. "In thinking about it further, the ball of flame has as much connection to reality as my horns or hooves. That is to say, most mundanes can't see them. I suppose I could try it, and I've still got most of the reagents for the spell. I just need one more..." He looks over at the childling carrying a copy of the book. Kneeling in front of Chely, he asks "Could I have this book for a little while? I can't promise to return this to you, but I'll get you a new one. It's the best way I can think of to find the Chrysalid."

"Go ahead Chely, I can get a new one later. Might be a good idea to get both you and Brighteyes one anyhow, if we're going to pull off the big fan thing," Tess says.

Chely responds "Certainly, I know what it is like to go through a Chrysalis without help and it's no fun, you betcha"

"That sounds like an idea. How bout you grab whoever you think would need to try that," Tess says. She then turns to Keighvyn. "Any chance you could use some of that 'rookie cop' pull, and get photo of this Chris Logan from the DMV? If so, I might be able to try a spell. If not, maybe we could have you and me - and the girls if they promise to behave, " Tess says looking directly at Brighteyes, "can head down to the Campus, and start talking to some people at the Computer Science Department. He's a grad student there, so _someone_ has to know him."

"We promise." Brighteyes says solemnly, "After all, Sir Keighvyn will arrest us if we aren't!" She smiles.

It's decided that everyone will head to the house over in Clintonville first, however, and then perhaps follow the other plans once they get there if Logan isn't there. Tess and Sebastian drive.

"Why don't you ride with Jubair?" Brighteyes says to Chely with a grin, "I'll go with Miss Tess and Sir Keighvyn."

Tess waves Chely to go with Sebby and Jubair negligently. "Go ahead, we'll meet you there."

With the morning traffic it takes a little longer to get to the house then it had the night before. The tree-lined street in a pheasant old neighborhood is pretty deserted, apparently everyone on the street has left for work already.

Logan's house appears to be empty, no one home.

"Okay, so back to square one," Tess says, as she looks to Sebastian. "You two want to see about that spell. Keighvyn can do his thing and I can look into the CS building?"

Suddenly, Rajabal, Jubair's owl chimera, flutters down and lands on the car in front of the eshu. He puffs his chest and clacks his beak. "Can you feel it?" he asks, "It's begun..."

Jubair picks Rajabal up by his feet. "Next time you decide to bugger off on me, tell me where you're going, OK? I was getting worried!" the Eshu says irately.

The owl snaps his beak dangerously close to the eshu's nose and hops into the air, landing back on the hood of the car. He puffs his chest feathers out impressively. "Tell you indeed! I can see we shall need to have a discussion on proper manners towards one's elders..."

Tess looks to the owl on Sebastian's car. "Feel it? Geez. I haven't felt a thing. Do you know where its coming from Rajabal?"

Rajabal clacks his beak again, "The house, the sidhe's house! It reeks of glamour, formless but energetic glamour. The Chrysalis is beginning now! You must find the sidhe soon!"

"Oh crap," is Jubair's immediate response. He then turns to Sebby, a concerned expression on his face. "We'd better speed up our plans if the Chrysalid is coming out soon - who knows what could happen around him!"

"Follow me. The magic will work best here. And out of sight." Sebby moves quickly towards the back yard, pulling random accouterments from his satchel as he walks. Jumping the fence into the back yard, he begins to draw the pentacle on the stone patio.

Once everyone else has arrived around his drawing, Sebby takes the book from Chely, pours a portion of the bottle of booze on it, and tucks it into his belt at the small of his back. He wraps his hands in strips of cloth soaked in alcohol, and pulls out his small bronze lighter. Standing in the center of the pentacle, he lights the ends of the cloth hanging off his hands, stands poised, and begins chanting in Greek. His voice carries in a long, low chant, and he suddenly begins a gypsy dance, unwrapping his hands with each twisting motion of his body. His hooves clack out the rhythm and his voice chants faster and faster. Suddenly, he pulls the bottle and book from his belt, takes a swig of the bottle and throws the book in the air. On the way down, he lights his lighter and spits across it, hitting the book square on. The pages explode into flame with combination of alcohol and fire taking hold.

The book burns instantaneously, transforming itself into a ball of flame which floats in midair above the center of the pentacle. It's a perfect sphere, perhaps a foot in diameter, with red, white, and orange flames dancing about it. It bobs for a second, then shoots out of the back yard to the street.

Tess takes a step back as the book bursts, and a frown creases her face. Quickly the expression disappears.

Chely watches in amazement as the cantrip is being cast. "So cool!" She watches carefully, memorizing the words that Sebastian speaks. She wonders aloud "How old do you think CE Logan is, will he be a wilder? And Rajabal, what other beings can sense chrysalids, will we see a goblin maybe, or even a prodigal?" Her eyes widen at the thought!

Brighteyes giggles, "Maybe he'll be a handsome childling."

Everyone follows the ball into the street. It moves off towards High Street, the main road which runs through the center of the city. It hovers, flickering.

Tess thinks for a moment, then continues, "Well, if we split up, we should probably have me and the girls in the car, and the rest of you follow the spell. Three guys can talk and joke as they move at whatever pace they like around here. Besides, that way Jubair and Keighvyn's talking might help hide the fact that Sebastian is following something."

As the group starts to follow the bobbing flame, Tess says, "Just be careful, if Chris is going through his Chrysalis, then he'll probably see the flame, as well as your true selves. Once you've found him, perhaps it would be best to let Keighvyn approach first. Sidhe look the most like normal people, and as long as he hasn't done anything illegal, most folks will at least talk to a cop."

Keighvyn nods, and takes the police badge and ID from his jeans pocket. "This person doesn't have a record, so I think that's a safe bet, milady."

Turning to the girls, Tess says, "Well, lets get in the car."

"But," Chely interrupts, "I look pretty 'normal' as my true self, and how non-threatening am I. I mean I can talk to the crysalid. And Jubair and Keighvyn will be there and Sebastian so can I go with them and follow the spell? What could happen and I am almost 14, I can take care of myself,...... mostly" Chely looks pleadingly at Tess and sheepishly at Jubair.

Tess looks over at the guys for a moment. "Well, I suppose you might look like a kid sister or something. What do you think guys, mind if Chely tags along?"

"Sure Thing. So long as she can keep up." Sebastian grins at the girl.

Chely grins back "Keep up, I bet Sebastian has to huff and puff to keep up with me!" Chely whispers to miss Tess "Thank you very much, I won't get into trouble, I just want to help."

"I have no problems with them coming either" Jubair adds. "If anything, it might make us seem a little less threatening to him."

"Sammy, I suppose you want to go with them?" Tess looks at Brighteyes questioningly.

Brighteyes frowns for a moment, then says "Sure!"

"Alright, well you two stay out of trouble." Tess then makes her way to the car, and climbs in to wait.

The ball shoots off towards high street, far to quickly for someone on foot to follow...

As the ball of flame bolts off, Tess curses, and pulls the cure quickly to the curb. "Geez, Chely, Brighteyes, get in NOW!"

"Go get your car Sebastian! We'll follow it, you catch us as quick as you can!" Tess shouts, as the girls climb in. Just as the second girl gets in, she hits the gas, the forward momentum slamming the door shut.

Keighvyn says to Sebastian and Jubair, "Okay, fellas, you heard the lady --- let's rock and roll!" An eager gleam lights his turquoise eyes, and his lean body is taut with excitement.

"Everybody in!" Sebby jumps in his jeep and barely waits for everyone to get in before his hoof hits the accelerator. The SUV roars down the street after Tess and the ball of light.

Jubair dives into the back seat with Rajabal (practically through the window) and barely has time to belt himself in before Sebby takes off. Excitement is extremely visible in both the Eshu's face and body.

The ball moves, fortunately, at a speed which allows them to follow safely, with no need for daredevil driving. It leads directly to Ohio States campus, pausing by the Northwest campus parking garage.

-----------------

Christine pours another cup of coffee, her third of the morning, then returns to the bath to blow-dry her hair while it cools off a bit. She applies makeup in-between sips. She dresses quickly in the maroon silk blouse and conservative dark-grey suit, dark hose and matching pumps. She checks a mirror. Simple, yet elegant. She fluffs her long, blonde hair and returns to the kitchen. She pours an insulated travel mug full of coffee, adding a bit of sugar. She looks at the clock and grimaces. "Gotta get going," she mutters. She checks her padded black leather combination laptop case and briefcase, nodding as she sees her computer and notes where they ought to be. She unzips another compartment and drops in a wallet. She moves to her desktop PC and checks her email before leaving.

Christine picks up her case, slings it over her shoulder and grabs her mug and keys. She heads into the garage and climbs into her car, a dark-blue Pathfinder. She hits the garage door opener and backs out, nodding to herself at the time, only a quarter after eight.

Christine drives straight to Ohio State, finishing her coffee as she pulls into the parking garage. She pops a Starbucks "after coffee" mint into her mouth and walks to Baker Systems. She walks with a practiced stride, feminine, but purposeful.

She arrives at her meeting ten minutes early, and hooks her computer up to the projector while waiting for the Avalon, Inc suits to arrive. Glancing out the small window, Christine spots a raven, sitting on the ledge. As soon as she notices it the bird caws and flies off.

Arriving like clock work right on time the suits file in and sit at the conference table. The oldest, a crotchety old man named Dr. Schmidt, snaps "Vell? Ve haven't got all day, missy!"

For just a second, Christine's vision blurs and she's sees a grotesque, wrinkled creature with red skin and impossibly bushy hair where the rumpled looking old man sat. Then her vision clears and it's just Dr. Schmidt, looking annoyed as always.

Christine blinks and pales slightly. She looks down at her equipment and fiddles with it, not really doing anything but it gives her something to do with her hands, which are shaking slightly. She looks up and puts on a practiced, radiant smile.

"Good morning," Christine begins, sweeping her gaze across the room, nodding at Dr. Schmidt. She flicks a switch to activate the projector and steps over to the touch-screen. "Let's begin, shall we?" Christine taps the screen, pulling up the Avalon, Inc. company logo, then taps it again to start a brief PowerPoint slideshow. After the mind-numbing but colorful presentation of charts and graphs, the screen returns to the Avalon, Inc. logo. Christine concludes, "The research is progressing nicely. I see no reason to amend the projections from last month." She surveys the room. "Are there any questions?"

Dr. Schmidt snorts, "It is adequate, I suppose." He stands to go, the others follow suit.

Suddenly, Christine's vision again blurs, and Dr. Schmidt transforms again into the wrinkled, red skinned creature. An unsettling gleam shines from his eyes, Christine gets the distinct feeling she is facing a creature of immense age and evil.

Then a black spot slides across the wall behind the Doctor. Then another. Then another. Then a dozen, then dozens. Literally dozens of giant cockroaches, each easily six inches long, are crawling over the walls of the room.

Christine freezes as Dr. Schmidt appears to change before her eyes. She wrenches her eyes away from Dr. Schmidt as she sees the first of the giant cockroaches. She lets out a high-pitched shriek.

Everyone stares at her as if she were a madwoman.

When no one else seems to see the cockroach invasion, she stammers, "I, I'm sorry, I thought a saw a bug." She hurriedly packs up her laptop, trying very hard to ignore the hallucinations and to stop breathing so fast... She shoulders her briefcase and heads for the door, moving at a rapid, graceless pace.

"That's quite alright, dear." Dr Schmidt says in an unusually calm voice. Looking at him now, Christine sees the common place vision of the old man super-imposed over the image of the twisted and gnarled creature see had seen earlier, as if they were two faces to the same coin, and she could see both at once.

The huge roaches continue scurrying about the walls behind him.

Dr. Schmidt says, "Why not go back to your office and calm down. things will seem better there." The other suits behind him nod. Christine notes that their appearance is unchanged.

Christine swallows hard and nods. "Good morning," she said to Dr. Schmidt and the suits, nodding a polite goodbye. She leaves the room and walks quickly to the elevator, where she presses the "up" button. She stares at the floor display as she waits for the elevator, the knuckles of her hand wrapped around the shoulder strap of her briefcase white.

As Christine exits the 3rd floor conference room where the meeting took place, Dr. Schmidt pulls out a cellphone and makes a call. His grotesque alter-ego mimes the same actions in her superimposed vision, but holds nothing in his twisted hand.

The elevator door opens and Christine walks in, pushing the 5th floor button for her office.

Just before the door closes another man steps on. Christine looks over and finds herself staring at Anthony Hopkins.

"Are the lambs silent, Clarice?" he asks in a silky, quiet voice. His eyes burn intensely. "Would you like to share a chianti with me?"

Original summary by Paul Westermeyer; converted to HTML by Midori Hirtzel-Church