Yodec012003.htm

Gideon Club - Study...

Yosannah strolls into the study, expression weary and worn. She heads immediately for the bar, not noting the cat creature that sleeps on the sofa.

Kita prrs in her sleep and rolls over to lay on her back.

Yosannah pours herself a single shot of Biccardi Limon. A silent chuckle escapes her lips as she notes the creature purring on the couch. The shot is consumed with a tilt of her head and a swollow. She pours another.

Kita moves her legs like she's running in place.

Yosannah puts the bottle away and retreats to the table near the window, smirking at the cat. She mutters, almost inaudible, "Wish I were living your dreams, Kitty." She drops herself into a chair and sets the shot glass on the table. Exhaling and glancing about the room she squints, "What the..."

Kita meows in her sleep and growls arching her back to pounce.

Yosannah pushes the glass aside and rises. She moves toward the portrait of Brandon, eyes narrowing to a squint as she studies the thing. Extending a hand she runs her fingers over the image, feeling for the texture of the paint.

Kita yelps and yells "No fishy no! no eat lila kitten." She yelps and rolls over to her feet. She's apparently asleep as she runs around the room.

Yosannah shakes her head and calls out toward the woman, "Kita. Kita, come on now, wake up." Then, under her breath, "Darn cat."

Kita is heading for a wall at top speed then jumps and strts to fly. "No eat lila no eat baby kitten no." She's screaming.

Yosannah rolls her eyes upward and slumps her shoulders. Extending a hand toward the couch, she mutters a few soft wards of command. A plush pillow rises. With a flick of her wrist she thrusts the thing across the room in the direction of the cat.

Kita flys into the pillow and falls down to the ground.

*Thud*

Kita falls down and curls up limply.

Yosannah nods, seemingly satisfied at the quiet. She casts a quick glance at the cat, making sure the thing is still breathing, before returning her attention to the painting.

Yosannah props her hand up against the wall next to the portrait, her attention fixed therein. She begins to concentrate...

Kita is wiggling to scoot towards a pillow.

Yosannah establishes a connection establishes, firm as if Brandon were there, though nothing comes up, and no sound. No image, just silence and still.

Yosannah furrows her brow and considers for a moment. She runs her fingers over the cool image again and intones softly, "Brandon."

Nothing happens in the surrounding room, save for the voice's pattern bounce off the walls in the normal fashion.

Kita rolls over and over and back again.

Yosannah reaches a hand into her rear pants pocket and fishes out a few tarots. She thumbs through them and settles on the likeness of Brandon. She begins to concentrate... After a moment, she ceases trying.

Yosannah's gaze goes distant as someone attempts to make contact with her...

Yosannah has established contact with Ryker.

The image of Ryker addresses, "Yosannah. Wasn't there a Josquin who had something to do with your Pestilence crisis?"

To the image of Ryker, Yosannah says "Just the person I wanted to see." She with draws a pack of gum from her pocket. "Josquin. Josquin..." She thinks."

To the image of Ryker, Yosannah shakes her head, "No. No, you're thinking of the alias that Arion used when the whole mess started. Why?"

The image of Ryker says "What was the alias."

To the image of Ryker, Yosannah pops a stick of gum in her mouth and thinks again, "Joachim." She nods, "Definitely Joachim."

The image of Ryker mutters. "Joachim, not Josquin. Damn."

Yosannah pops a stick of gum in her mouth and chews. Whoever she is conversing with must be a familiar acquaintance by the casual slump her her shoulders and her lazy posture.

To the image of Ryker, Yosannah shrugs, "Sorry. Who is Josquin?"

The image of Ryker's eyes flash red for a flickering second. He shakes it off, either your question or something else. "Nobody yet, nevermind. Thanks." He starts to turn his attention elsewhere. You might notice the club conservatory behind him.

To the image of Ryker, Yosannah says "Hey, wait."

Kita gets up and is woozy as she walk

The image of Ryker mms, a little dour, glancing back. "What."

To the image of Ryker, Yosannah's gaze narrows as she regards him, his reaction not lost on her though she doesn't comment on it, "Come down here for a minute. In the Study. I want to show you something."

The image of Ryker says "The painting? I've seen it." He states, "Dai brought it here."

To the image of Ryker, Yosannah says "It's a trump, as you probably know." And then, "Did you try and use it?"

The image of Ryker shakes his head. "I don't need it. I have my own. He adds, a hint short, "Riva bought off a guy named Josquin outside the Thelbane. Who seems to have got it off a fellow named Norm or Norman around the World's Bazaar." He prompts, "Anything else?"

To the image of Ryker, Yosannah seems equally as annoyed with his shortness, "Are we talking about the same thing here? The portrait of Brandon?"

Kita wanders over and headbutts the picture of Brandon.

To the image of Ryker, Yosannah says "I /ask/," she articulates, "Because he's not responding to my attempts at reaching him. And /because/ you use these things better then I do, I thought you might know why."

The picture slides up close to the wall it is leaning on, and falls over face first after Kita when she backs up. Typical.

Kita picks up the picture by its frame to drag it somewhere. "bad bad bad."

To the image of Ryker, Yosannah flicks her gaze elsewhere for a short moment.

The image of Ryker sits on a bench, and leans over now, hunching, a hand going to the back of his neck and eyes closing. Tired, maybe. "I already know why you are asking, and I already know the result of trumping Brandon." Wets his lips. "I just clued Riva in as much as I could. Talk to her and save me the repetition, huh."

Kita is draging the picture towards the couch. "bad for falling down."

To the image of Ryker, Yosannah's jaw works for a moment, "You know what, fuck off." SThe contact fades for a moment then quickly returns, "By the way, watch your ass. Joshua has it in for us." The contact begins to fade again.

The image of Ryker lets the contact fade and the contact vanishes.

Yosannah shakes her head and her focus returns to the room.

The image of Brandon has had enough moving for one day, and falls through Kita's hands/paws. It hits the ground in a soft splash of sound and then forms back to its original shape.

Kita stares at The brandon pitcure and hits it with her paw no claws. "Bad bad bad bad yes very bad."

Kita picks up the painting again and tries to take it to the couch.

The once again turns to water and seaks the ground, without waiting this time.

Kita nudges the painting with her nose then seeing if picking it up is the bad thing. "YOYO!"

The image pools up where Kita touches it, staying put.

Kita splashes in the painting water out of kitty frustration then tries to drag it back where it started from. "bad painting bad."

The image stays tight now, allowing itself to return to the corner.

Kita smacks the painting like she ws smaking Brandon's cheeks. "Bad painting no fun to hide under the couch to scare people."

The painting resists all forms of violence, puddling up kita's hand/paw flies right through it. Only for it to solidify after she leaves.

Kita gets a giggling and keeps hitting the painting.

Yosannah watches the whole affair with obvious amusement and interest. "Kita, hold on for a moment."

Kita hits the painting more "its a magic painting not like magic cards. It goes sploosh."

Yosannah smiles at the cat, "I see that." She kneels before the paiting and begins to intone softly. Sensing nothing, she considers.

Kita lets yoyo do what she wants but one time she hits it she smacks it with her head at the same time. She's trying to see what's in the puddle.

Yosannah peers at the liquified form of the painting, looking for her reflection therein.

The image splooshes as much as need be. Nothing, it looks as if it turns to paint colors dividing untill they return back to there perfect image.

Yosannah exhales, dejected, "Kita, you gonna keep watch on this painting? Make sure no kittens take it away?"

Kita keeps playing with the picture. "Can someone undo the magic of the magic painting?" Her eyes look happy "If kita can kita will hide it under the couch."

Yosannah offers, "I dunno, we'll see. But we don't want anyone to take it away until we figure it out, okay?"

Kita nods "My toy go sploosh like the fishy pond yes."

It is obvious that Yosannah isn't entirely sure what Kita is saying, but the cat's nod seems sufficient for her purposes, "Good."

Yosannah rests a hand on her knees and helps herself up, "It does indeed."

Kita says "Why you not want to go under the couch?"

"Uh, I'll go under the couch next time." She turns to go, "You take care. And remember what we agreed."

Later, at Saint Stephen's Tower - Westminster...

On the banks of the Thames stands Westminster Palace. An elderly, gothic pile of buildings looking faintly incongruous, yet somehow inevitable in the insane hodge-podge of gleaming steel, glass and soot-stained masonry that makes up central London. Thrusting upwards from one corner of this collection; Saint Stephen's tower - more commonly referred to as Big Ben after the vast main bell it houses. Three hundred and sixteen feet high with a multitude of gilded spikes adorning the brown stone, it rises to a slated spire and contrives to be simultaniously gaudy and beautiful. The four clock faces, each surrounded by the inscription 'DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM', are illuminated at this hour and the light burning above them in the belfry indicates that Parliment is currently in session.

Policemen are stationed here, their yellow jackets reflecting the headlights of cars in a blaze. The clock shows the time to be approaching midnight and the trafic is light. A faint drizzle - more of a falling mist than rain itself, adds an extra chill to the early winter evening.

Yosannah sits on a nearby curb, arms resting casually atop her knees when the others arrive.

Dai takes a drag from the cigarette he is smoking as he walks over to Yo. He nods as he sits down next to Yo. "Hello Yosannah."

Stone arrives with his cat, "Gang's all here."

Yosannah tugs at her hat and pulls her p-coat tighter about her shoulders, her breath seen as a mist from her mouth, "Seems we are." She rises.

Yosannah looks this way and that, "Uh, forgive me for pointing out the obvious, but isn'ts omebody gonna wonder what the hell we're doing with little Kita here?"

Kita puffs "up I can fly up to get there?"

Riva looks up at Yosannah's words. Her expression becomes one of intense irritated disgust as she shakes her head.

Dai stands, exhales smoke from his lungs, and flicks the cigarette. "Indeed," he says as he loosens his sword in its sheathe and checks his guns. "I wish the others could make it." He chuckles at Yo. "Do we really care if they wonder?"

Yosannah looks at Stone and then back to Dai, "Yes."

Stone gestures vaguely, "It's covered. Cleared the area in case things go down bad." He tells Kita, "Stick with us for now."

The sound of a loud click and chink are heard as someone approachs the area, "ta ra ra umptieeiia", is heard as Ithius goes through weapons checks.

Stone glances around, "So we all present and accounted for?"

One of the policemen, this one in a sargeants cap, comes over. "Are you ready, Mister Stone?"

Ithius strolls up, "I'm late sorry", he says editorially.

Kita stands by Stone's side as if she was a sniffing dog instead of a catwoman with wings.

The policemen in the area pay no attention to most of you.

Riva stands nearby with a cigarette, armored and armed to the teeth.

Stone nods to the man, "Ready as we'll ever be."

Ithius mumbles as he looks through his stuff, "darts", he continues, "depleted uranium bullets..", he hmms, "9milimeter mini vulcan cannon." Ithius seems to be ready.

Kita looks at her claws and then looks sadly to Stone after hearing Ithius's list whatever those things are.

Yosannah offers, as if an after-thought, "Stoner, what about Nash?"

The policeman touches his cap and strolls into Westminster proper as the gates are opened for you. A short gravel path leading to the heavy arched doorway that leads into the tower itself. He holds a large key out for Stone when he's ready.

Kita growls and listens quietly. She sticks near Stone.

Yosannah follows after, the officer. "Shouldn't he be here?"

Dai shrugs. "We'll find out soon enough if we're not ready." He draws his sword, grasping the hilt in his right hand. His left hand draws a gun and flicks the safety off as he begins to follow.

Dai stops suddenly. "Yo wait. Stone has to go first."

Riva says "He's small, maybe its best he not be here for this?"

Stone shakes his head, telling Yosannah, "He's still a kid. We have enough problems." He then nods to Dai after taking the key from the officer. He goes to the tower and tries the key.

Ithius checks a little pistol he loads with a plastic magazine and mumbles, "dart gun locked and loaded", he then grips a strange looking little gun with a bunch of barrels and a small belt of bullets coming out the side the bullets run into his small backback. He begins wandering into line.

Yosannah raises her hands defensively, "And if he needs to be here to get himself back to normal." She waits for Stone to pass before picking up the pace again.

Riva moves to keep a step behind Stone, making sure she doesn't get far from his side.

The key, huge and iron, fits snug in the well maintained lock. As it's turned, the gravel beneath your feet turns to a dirt path. The air shimmering and warping. The policeman fades away and the air picks up the smell of coalsmoke. A yellowish haze descending.

Riva frowns at the change as Stone turns the key. Clearly unsettled, she still doesn't hesitate in following stone.

Stone grins back at Yosannah, "Then you can adopt him and start a nice little family." He then turns, entering the tower.

Yosannah rolls her eyes upward, shoulders slumping for a moment. It's the sort of gesture often seen between siblings.

Kita looks up "We go now?" She whispers to Stone.

Stone gestures for Kita to follow as he enters. The others follow after.

Dai's face is serious as he walks with Yo. "Might be fun to have Nash as a son Yo. As his mother, you COULD rename him and spank him for being bad."

Ithius follows the crowd, "adopt", he says stiffling a grin on his face.

Saint Stephen's Tower - Lower Stairwell...

Surprisingly cramped, the corridor within the tower leads through an antechamber to the stairwell. The air smells dusty and electric. The lighting a peculiar mixture of lightbulbs and gas, modern lighting side by side with their victorian counterparts and here and there, existing in the same space.

In one side of the antechamber is a cell with a grill door of woven iron, the gaps about an inch wide. Newspapers and a book lie next to the grill and someone has been pulling pieces of paper from them from the other side, torn edges and scraps littering the area, many of them smeared with bloody fingerprints.

The cell is in darkness and gives off a strong odour of sweat and spirits, a few empty bottles of whisky close enough to the grill to gleam dully. Further on, the twisting stone steps lead upwards. The sound of creaking machinery and a deep, deep tick-tocking coming from up there.

Stone steps in and takes a few steps forward to let people follow him. He glances about and then peers towards the book and papers. "Clue numero uno." he comments, walking towards them.

Riva continues to stay in Stone's shadow, casting an uneasy eye about.

Yosannah whispers sidelong to Dai, "That's Stone-ese for: he's found something." She nods, serious.

Ithius hmms, "glad we have a clue.. well you have a clue at least Stone", he says.

Yosannah approaches the cell door, eyes narrowing at the smattering of blood about the littler. She makes an effort to peer through the gaps in the grill.

Dai smiles slightly at what Yo says and whispers back, "I wonder how long it takes to learn Stone-ese." His eyes scan the room, not paying attention to the book but rather on the surroundings. It is apparent he is looking for possible threats.

Yosannah mumbles, rising on her toes, "... years..."

Stone picks the book up when he reaches it, starting to flip through it, "Crap crap crap crap." he mutters before he reaches the end. Here he stops and says, "Hey Riva. You made Mikey's diary."

Riva blinks and pales, "Huh?"

From within the cell, someone coughs. A sick-sounding, rattling wheeze. The sound of glass rolling on stone as an empty whisky bottle drifts into view and *tinks* against the grill.

At the sound, Yosannah startles, "Oh, jesus!" She places her hand over her heart and points into the cell.

Riva says "Mike's been dead since I was on this."

Kita turns and walks over to Yo. She sniffs the air.

Dai frowns and aims his gun into the cell trying to get a better look. "Not Mike's diary. Probably Jimbo's."

Kita growls "Inside inside alive inside."

Ithius asks, "need a light?", he then holds a finger up waiting for the word.

Kita says "People and music thing no hand no hand."

Yosannah looks down at Kita and then up at the grate in the cell and asks, "Hello?"

A man's voice, faint and croaking responds: "May angle sar te merel kadi yag ..."

Stone and shrugs. Then back to the Cell, "Are you okay in there?"

Yosannah looks back over her shoulder at Stone and shrugs. Then back to the cell, "Are you okay in there?"

Stone gestures for Riva to come near him to show her the page he's looking at. He then points to the cell, telling Ithius, "See what's going on in there."

Yosannah nods, "Yeah, Ith, how 'bout some light."

Riva looks up, hand pulling a gun from it's holster. She edges forward to peek at the page, trusting the others to tend to the other matter for now.

Dai keeps his gun pointed into the cell waiting for the light.

Ithius focuses a moment muttering some words his finger glows white and then a glob of light flips off of it like a bubble slowly drifting upward it begins to grow larger and bright drifting up toward the grate.

As the light shines out, lying on a wooden bench inside the cell is what looks like Jimbo, maybe. He looks like a holocaust victim, bone thin. On his chest lies his violin, clutched there by his left hand, the fingers of which are stripped to the bone to the first knuckle and caked in blood. He mutters something else, this incomprehensible.

Riva says "I don't unstand this shit. Anyone speak Rom? Or have a translation spell or dohicky?"

Kita starts to dig at the grate. "Not leave hurt people down in the ground."

Yosannah shields her eyes from the light and points into the cell, "Check this out. It's the guy with the fiddle."

Stone nods, agreeing with Riva, "Translation spell would be nice, yeah." He asks Yosannah, "See if you can get anything from him."

Kita looks to Stone. "Did I do good?"

Riva's attention is diverted and her expression becomes pained, "Jimbo! Aw, hell." She examines his prison, "We got to get him someplace safe."

The cell is locked at a single point. Old style large iron bolt going into iron and stone.

Stone holds the tattered book that he found as he nods to Kita, "Yep." he assures her. He mentions, "Feel free to let him loose." to anyone who seems interested in doing so.

Ithius hmms, "sorry.. bit too bright they've always told me", he makes a joke of course.

Yosannah nods at Stone, "Help me Riva." She begins to tug and slide at the bolt.

Dai keeps his gun leveled at Jimbo as he walks towards the cell door.

Killjoy waits, cautious. "Probably there for a reason, don't you think?"

Riva moves and mutters, "Be careful, parts are going to flyu." she warns before grabbing a firm hold, bracing herself with a leg on the stone wall and giving a sudden mighty jerk near the hinges rather than near the bolt.

Jimbo rolls his head to one side, eyes squinting open just a little at you lot. He looks confused for a moment, then rasps, "Gajos ... took your time."

There are some empty water bottles littering the cell floor. Mostly whisky bottles though.

Killjoy shakes his head. "I was taught, in science class, that use of tools made us better than other animals. Why are we resorting to brute force?" He pulls a vial from his belt, holds it up.

There's a a sharp, loud SNAP as screws and metal bits snap and go flying along with peices of stone they are inbedded within. There's a creak and softer pops of protest followed by a mighty groan as ancient iron and stone prove no match for the abuse Yosannah and Riva visit on the door of Jimbo's cell.

Yosannah grunts as the door opens, wincing once or twice as pieces of metal flit past.

Ithius turns about bit as chunks of metal fly he says, "Because that's Riva. She likes the physical part", he explains.

Killjoy wipes blood from his cheek, where a screw from the hinges hit him.

Jimbo rattles another cough, mumbling, "I feel like David Blaine."

Kita looks down at Jimbo. "Who is that?"

Riva bends and jerks the door until it's open enough for her to slip inside and approach Jimbo, kneeling as if to scoop the weak and injured man. "I'm sorry, Jimbo. I tried." she murmurs, haunted guilt obvious in tone and expression.

Killjoy keeps the weather eye of the paranoid by profession on all exits and entrances. He tucks his acid away.

Yosannah drops her hands to her knees, catching her breath as she mutters, eyeing the man, "David Blaine looked a lot better."

Kita turns and looks "Who is David Blane? is he a kitty?"

Stone shakes his head at Kita, "Shh." he tells her. He says to Riva, "You taking him outside? Or is it safer for him to bring him with?"

Jimbo's only real reaction is to try to hold onto his violin and bow a bit tighter, right hand folding over it carefully, despite the fact that it's already bust it's top string and the bow looks like it's trying out for a pom-pom, horsehair snarled and flying loose.

From above, somewhere up the gloom of the stairs, something giggles.

Yosannah slowly turns her gaze to look up the stairs. SH mumbles, "Shite."

Killjoy waits for instructions.

Kitapouts and sits quietly. She looks at Stone with a "you will explain later" expression

Ithius brushes bits of metal and stone off him and then removes his hand from his mini cannon just in case he slips, "Well.. spimds ;ole we have more to tango", he says looking upward.

Riva says "I'm taking him out. I'd like to see him get to a hospital, but I imagine he'd rather die than be put in a hospital. I can't focus on bodyguarding carrying him, so he's got to be put someplace safe." she scoops him up weither he protests or not, "When this is done, Jimbo, you are going to tell me what the fuck you're writing about me in your diary."

Killjoy moves to the stairs, shotgun pistol out and ready. He looks up, into the darkness.

Kita is wanting to go upstairs and is wandering around near the stairs.

Dai looks up into the tower at the giggling, curses under his breath and aims his gun upwards. "Hey Ithius, how about sending one of your balls of light up there? Just so we can take a look at the layout before moving."

Stone looks at the group, "Anyone know if she can get back in or does she need me to leave with her? And if that happens, are bad magics going to rain down on your heads while I'm gone?"

Killjoy shakes his head. "Lemme go up first and scout it."

Yosannah reaches a hand out to Killjoy, "No, wait. One thing at a time here, guys. Let's deal with Jimbo first."

Jimbo burbles something faintly resembling a laugh.

Killjoy looks at Yosannah. "We wait, it prepares. More."

Ithius hmms, "two .. you want two..", he sighs the ball dimming to a more normal intensity <hopefully> Ithius begins muttering softly repeating the same spell, then pause, "let me know when you want it to go up."

Dai thinks for a moment. "I think you would have to lead her out, else they may become trapped in the time distortions. Now that we are in the here and when we are supposed to be, I don't think that anything will affect us while we wait for you."

Yosannah offers to Stone, "Or what about a gate. Can you shove him out of here?"

Kita looks at Jimbo and heads to him. She purrs comfortingly and looks up

Riva lifts a hand, eyes hard and flat. She points at the giggle, "Wait your turn, bitch." she asserts with out inflection before moving towards the entrance, "Don't have time. If I don't make it make I'm sure Killjoy's able to cover all your thugging needs."

Yosannah looks from Riva to Stone and nods, seemingly satisfied with her suggestion.

Jimbo dangles in Riva's arms, mumbling. He doesn't really look up for serious conversation. Holding onto his violin is impressive enough.

Stone shakes his head, "Riva and I will need to explain the basics to the men outside." He looks at Riva, "Ready to hop out and get things said so we can get back in? I don't think there's anything with Killjoy starting to check things out at least."

Riva pauses from the entrace to give Stone an impatient look over her shoulder.

Killjoy nods. "Send the first light up now. I'll follow it." He sets himself to move quickly.

Yosannah nods again, "Fair enough. We'll send Killjoy up with Ithius' light source." She looks to Killjoy, "And give me a second, I'm gonna give you some backup."

Killjoy nods. "Say the word."

Dai frowns. "No. We wait for Stone."

Stone turns, heading out with Riva, letting those remaining figure it out for themselves at this point.

Ithius hmms, finishes his spell apparently following Stones orders and another bubble of light flicks off his finger the light drifts upward slowly and brightens as it does so, not so intenses as the last one.

Killjoy looks at Dai. "Stone said go. You do what you want. I'm going."

Yosannah closes her eyes and bows her head, breath exhaling as she concentrates, Gradually, a mist begins to spill from her nostrals, like a genie from a bottle.

As the light drifts upwards, the stairwell looks deserted, rising into another chamber above.

Kita stares and starts to sniff the air at the foot of the stair.

Killjoy moves about halfway up the stairway, and waits for Yo's word. As he waits, he pulls a pistol with his left hand, to back up the shotgun pistol in his right.

Dai shakes his head and sighs. "I guess thinking something through before acting is an alien concept to you. Screw it. I'm going with you. Kita stay close to Yo." He nods to Ithius and his eyes shift colour to black and begin glowing with unlight. "Covered."

A form begins to take shape form the grey mist that pours from the Yosannah's nose, her mouth, her ears. Huminoid, murkey and narrow eyes. Pestilence takes form before you, her wings fluttering lightly, snarl lingering on her lips.

Kita stays very close to Yo. She purrs and sniffs the air.

For those with the sight for such things, lines of energy link the woman and the creature, each drawing on the other's strength. Yosannah mutters, "She's ready. Killjoy. Let's go." The creature hovers toward the stairwell.

Killjoy looks at Dai. "Is trying to just be civil an alien concept for you? Shite, boy. Just assume I have good reasons, and try to be less insulting." He heads up the stairs, at a trot, followed by Dai.

After a moment, Yosannah inquires, "They went up, Scouting. Where is Riva."

Kita says "She went with Stone?"

Stone re-enters gesturing to Riva, "Right here. How long we waiting before we send others up?"

Riva steps in behind Stone, "Here." she looks around, trying to re-assess the situation.

Ithius hmms, "up stairs", he explains.

Kita says "Me go up now stay near yo yo?"

Stone tells Kita, "Stay near me."

Yosannah mutters, brow furrowed, "I don't know. No danger up there save for some sort of magic... spilling all over the place."

Kita sighs and stays near Stone and sits on his foot.

Riva says "I hate magic." she frowns and glances at Stone, "Want me to go up there?"

Stone tells Riva, "We're all going up." With that he gives Kita a slight shove off his foot and then starts up the stairs.

The faint sound of the others talking filters down the stairs.

Yosannah blurts, "She sees something... Something." Her face winces, seeming not to understand what is being fed her, "Shiney?"

Saint Stephen's Tower - Clock Trains and Belfry...

Sixteen feet of black painted iron contain the three clock trains that drive the massive timepeices on all four walls of the tower. Each face twenty three feet in diameter, the vasts hands creeping ever closer to midnight.

Above, accessable by a set of wooden and iron stair and walkways, the belfry housing the four quarter chime bells and the behemoth that is Big Ben. Thevast bell forever slightly off-key due to the crack running through it, an eighth turn away from the striking hammer. High up in this crack, something shines.

Killjoy frowns. Well. Frowns *more*. "That's not natural. Get out of my head."

Pestilence movement is subtle, a wisp. Her ominous gaze darts this way and that, looking, probing. Her tongue flicking over her teeth.

Killjoy's shotgun is leveled at something not visible to the others. His other gun tracks across the room, along with his eyes.

Dai looks around confused. "What the hell are you talking about Killjoy?"

Killjoy says "The girl."

Dai stares and aims his gun. He blinks and shakes his head as if to clear it.

Killjoy nods. "Luckily, darlin', I'm a psychopath. My being sad for you won't keep me from killing you. In fact, it makes it more likely. Now lay off."

The others arrive from downstairs.

Dai's arm begins to shake as the sensation increases and it begins to move to aim the gun at Killjoy. He grits his teeth, closes his eyes, and his arm shakes greatly as he tries to resist.

Pestilence hears nothing from those that talk below her, or so it would seem. She hovers upward, toward a crack where the lingers something all a sparkle and shiney.

As Pestilence moves up to the bell, she'll feel things start to change and the light from outside starts to come through and everyone disappears. Including the glint. Pestilence is now in modern day BanSun, where these folks are not.

Pestilence begins to rise, vanishing upward, and out of sight.

Killjoy sighs. "I'm sorry, Dai. But if she makes you point that at me, I'll have to shoot you." He does, in fact, pull a trigger...on the shotgun, aimed at ... something. BOOOM!

A little girl with a tragic face, bruised and battered and tear-smeared, slams into the trains, screaming her last as her chest explodes into gore.

Kita turns and starts to call to Mr. Stone. "Come see. Its better than the magic painting."

Riva sprints forward and reaches out to hook a finger on the waist of Dai's pants with her free hand and tug him back, her other hand occupied with a gun.

Kita turns back to see something and cries "No no Kill the little girl!"

Stone glances towards the bell, frowning, "Everyone chill." he declares.

As the seraphim creature travels from the group's sight, there is a flash emanating from the pendant at Yosannah's neck. She gasps, a sharp intake of breath. At the same time, the lines of energy visible to some that linked she and the Rider dissipate. She crumbles to her knees.

Dai's gun falls from his hand as he is tugged back by Riva.

Killjoy keeps his eyes peeled for new threats, cocking the second barrel on the shotgun and doing a visual sweep, guns pointing where his eyes look. "The little girl wasn't a little girl. She was fucking with our heads."

Ithius mumbles softly at the urge to dance, so he does the next best thing he pulls his dart gun out and aims for her head pulling on the trigger, call it visualization perhaps he just mutters, "Dai", shouldn't that be die?

Another little girl, this one dancing gracefully, spins - staggers - drops to the floor. A dart sticking out of her.

Riva mutters, "Tell your Gun-ho thug to chill." she grumbles with some hint of an accusing tone as she releases her hold on Dai and pivots to continue her momentum but towards Yosannah. "Yosannah?"

Kita runs over to the kid and starts to play. "Shiny sparkly in the sky shiney sparkly way up high. tep on a crack break scary man's back." She's singing that as she runs to dance with the girl.

Stone points towards the bell, "Anyone else see her? Um. Maybe we should all stop shooting at things."

Yosannah's eyes roll into the back of her head. From her knees she flops to the floor. *Thud* She is clearly unconscious. The two red gems in the pendant at her neck pulse rhythmically like the beating of a heart.

Dai grits his teeth and draws his boot knife. He takes the knife by the blade and squeezes. Hard. Blood begins to drip onto the floor as he swings his arm out to the side and then forward, hips twisting with the motion, releasing the knife so that it flies through the air hilt over knife tip, towards the girl.

A pretty little girl, her arms flung wide as if for a hug, falls backwards, deadweight. The knife lodged in one of her eyes. Blood oozing out.

Killjoy snorts. "I think each of us has to deal with what we see before we can think straight again, Stone. She's messing with their heads, still." He nods at Dai. "Good job."

Ithius hmms, "so Stone want me to dart her?" he asks having darted his 'dance partner'. "Personally I hate beinf forced to dance," he actually sounds angry for a change.

Kita is spinning around with her little girl singing it louder "Shiny sparkly in the sky shiney sparkly way up high. Step on a crack break scary man's back." She's singing that as she dances with the girl. She's starting to fly in a circle over the girl's head.

Riva unceremoniously scoops Yosannan up and over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes, gun still in hand but not aimed as she retreats back towards Stone.

Stone nods to Ithius, "Lets not kill people for right now. Good idea."

Lila arrives from the stairwell. She looks around, eyes the young girl, then Stone, "Who is this young one..she is enchanting?"

Yosannah is hoisted over Riva's shoulder. A moan escapes her lips though she is still, clearly, incoherent and unconscious.

Dai nods at Killjoy and grabs the hilt of his sword with both hands. "Thanks." He turns and looks at Yosannah, looking worried.

Killjoy aims the shotgun pistol at Kita, who has obviously been taken over by some enemy. "Am I the only cynic here?"

Ithius glances at Yosannah, "what the heck happened to Yo?"

Riva becomes distracted as her gaze is distracted by a girl of mezmorizing beauty. Everything else is forgotten, but she does manage not to drop either her gun or Yosannah.

Stone tells Killjoy, "Don't shoot my cat." He then looks towards the bell, "Talk to me." he says at it.

Lila moves closer to the young girls she sees, "Hello there, can you tell me your name, you lost?"

Yosannah groans. Her head flops as she is tossed about, slung over Riva's shoulder.

Riva stares, sighing softly as she stares at something with open admiration.

Lila watches the young girl now relaxing...and repeats her question.

Dai rushes over to Riva, plants his sword in the ground. He begins to chant softly,

"Monday's child is fair of face

Tuesday's child is full of grace

Wednesday's child is full of woe

Thursday's child has far to go

Friday's child is loving and giving

Saturday's child must work for a living

But the child that stands at the end of the chart

Yeilds only to my beating heart."

Killjoy nods. "Good call, Dai. The question is, what do we do about that?"

Ithius aims at Kita's behind as she hops about, "this is the friendly way to say.. stop dancing crazy cat", he says nicely PHOOP sounds as he pulls the trigger.

Riva's eyelid flutter and she sways. Were Yo not balanced on Riva's broad shoulder, she'd have slipped off already. As it is, Riva's hold is limp as Riva's entire frame bends and sways, her head dipping as she strugglesto keep her eyes open.

Kita looks at the little girl and giggles. "I go higher and higher." She flies higher and starts to slow. "I like you little people. Lila Stone kitten go take you home." Kita is flying around and around then disappears.

Stone glances at Dai and then Riva, "Riva, snap out of it!" he says sharply. He then watches Kita's disappearance, muttering, "Damn."

Lila starts to yawn slowly as she speaks to Stone, "Please give me an answer...who is this wonderful child she seems so innocent?"

Yosannah's eyes flutter. She grumbles something incoherent. Fidgets where she rests on Riva's shoulder and then mumbles, "Damn watch."

Dai grins mischievously. "We piss my sister off is what we do." He winds up and slaps Riva hard.

Ithius damns, "Too slow to get the cat", he turns and aims at Lila's leg, "Lila.. kick the kid or I'll have to stun you with a dart.. the kid is an illusion", he explains.

Stone says to Lila, "She's a trap. They're all traps." He nods to Dai and Ithius, "Lets get them out of here."

Lila blinks looking at Stone trying to move towards him, "Okay?"

Killjoy frowns. Well. Frowns *more*. "Yeah. They're traps. I've got an idea or two to deal with the problem." He pauses. "I have enough explosives to blow the clock tower."

Riva's head saps back and Yosannah slides from her hold as Riva's knees buckle and her gun falls from her hand as she falls like a puppet suddenly having it's strings cut.

Stone shakes his head, telling Killjoy, "That won't solve the problem."

Yosannah drops to the floor, rolling and landing on her backside with a grunt, "Uuhh."

Ithius puts his dart gun away and heads over toward Lila, "comeon we gotta get you concious Lila", he reaches his hand out to grab her's granted she looks older than him by just a few years now.

Lila still seems sleepy moving towards Stone as she whispers, "Help me please."

Killjoy says "What will?""

Dai blinks as Riva falls and stoops to pick her up. "I'm /so/ dead for that one," he mutters. "Yo, are you okay?"

Killjoy keeps his distance from nearly everyone.

Yosannah blinks, eyes fluttering. "Yeah. Dandy."

Stone tells Lila,"Go with them." as he heads for the bell.

Yosannah looks about the room taking the place in. She remains on the floor, supporting herself with her arms propped. She watches Stone, "Stone... there's another watch here. Did you find it yet."

Killjoy moves after Stone. Stays alert. "It's in the crack. Probably the shiny thing."

Riva begins to stirr whimpering in confusion, "*ow*!"

Lila follows Stone almost as if she is on automatic...

Yosannah groans again, nodding at Killjoy's observation, "Exactly."

Dai looks worriedly at Yo. "Do you want help?" He winces when he hears Riva begin to come to and looks at her. "Sis? You okay?"

Stone heads in the direction Killjoy indicates, making shoving motions towards two girls that perhaps only he can see.

Yosannah reaches a hand to the pendant at her neck, shakes her head at Dai and braces herself, making an effort to stand.

Killjoy draws a bead on the shiny thing in the crack with the pistol. "I'll shoot it down, if you want."

Ithius rolls his eyes, "Glad people listen to kids", he grabs for Lila's hand, "Lila.. Stone said to stay back..", his voice quite shrill perhaps to see if he can snap some sanity into the woman.

Riva nods, face red where she was slapped. The look of intense confusion lingers as she loops an arm about Dai's shoulder to brace herself and looks around.

Lila eyes glance over at Ithius while getting ready to use her purse as a throwing hammer, "The child is moving towards Stone."

Dai looks at Lila. "Then knock the damn thing out or kill it."

Ithius response is, "hit the kid or you are going to end up falling or worse", he screams this time, man his voice is anoying as a fifteen year old.

Killjoy snorts. "Damn. I thought Nash sounded rough as a kid." He stays near Stone.

Stone starts to scale the bell, muttering to himself as he scrambles for the crack. He grabs for the watch, trying to pry it loose.

The Watch comes loose, tumbling into Stone's palm.

Killjoy holsters the shotgun, and uses that hand to give Stone something firm to stand on.

Lila tosses her purse hoping it will hit the kid as she yells, "Nothing personal..but Ben is my yin as I am his Yang.."

Riva rests her head on Dai's Shoulder, squeezing her eyes shut.

Killjoy looks at Lila. "Yang is male, sweetheart. Yin is female."

Stone slides down with Killjoy's help, watch firmly in his grasp.

Dai keeps his eyes on Stone to see what he does.

Riva pages to everyone in the room: oh, sorry, thought you were holding. Though, that would be impressive. she weights more than 350 with that armor on

Ithius ahems gently pulling on Lila's hand, "Good.. umm come over here.. yin?",he says to Lila lightly pulling on the womans hand hoping to get her away from her distraction. "Stone will be fine.. just need to be away from whatever horror he is about to perform."

Stone pauses before setting the watch down, "Old fashioned way?" he asks, raising a foot and stomping down upon it.

*Crunch*

The watch breaks, cogs pattering to the floor below, springs bouncing into dusty crevices, everything goes quiet. The creaks. The ticking. Just quiet.

A little girl smiles atop Big Ben, starting to applaud softly. She changes, warping into the figure of a man in a black suit and top hat, still smiling as he too fades away.

Killjoy steps back, gun pointed in Stone's general direction, in case something comes out of the watch.

Dai looks up at the applauding and smiles.

Riva sighs wearily, She mutters to Dai, "Oh, alright. You're cozy... alright."

Lila hugs Ithius and nods in silence.

Sunlight breaks suddenly on the scene, the air warping and rippling around you.

An unconsious cat thing with wings lies under the bell and Pestilence is here.

Stone glances up and then around, "Okay." he says, "I got my cat back. I think that means we won."

Dai sets Riva down on her feet slowly to make sure she can stand without assistance.

Riva stands and slips her arm from Dai's shoulders, seeming to regain her composure.

Pestilence hovers, silently for a moment. Then, in a blink she is gone. Drawn back into her avatar. Yosannah rises, fully, and braces herself against a wall.

Killjoy purses his lips. "I'm sure you're right. But getting the cat back seems like a punishment." He holsters his pistol.

Dai laughs. "Well Stone, you were just applauded by Father Time. I think /that/ means that we won."

Ithius pats Lila on the back, looking at the change of scenery, "A man and his cat", he says trying not to chuckle.

Stone smirks at Killjoy and then nods to Dai, "Good point. Back to the Club then? Diet Coke's on me." He grins and then starts to head off.

Yosannah mutters, "Diet Cokes... You cheap bastard..."

Translations from this scene...

May angle sar te merel kadi yag - Before this fire burns out

Domine salvam fac reginam nostram Victoriam Primam -- Lord save our Queen Victoria the first

The inscription around the lip of Big Ben reads "was cast by George Mears of Whitechapel for the clock of the Houses of Parliament under the direction of Edmund Beckett Denison QC in the 21st year of the reign of Queen Victoria"