Remove ads

The Lost Files (C:TL/Dresden Files) (CK2-ish)

Reader mode
Remove ads
Turn 2--Eva's Quest, Part 1
  • Threadmarks
    • Eva's Quest, Part 1

    The Buddha had done that which had been impossible for other people. Or had seemed so. He was the teacher that all teachers must compare themselves to, and now Eva felt lost, felt cut off from the self-assurance that had guided her her whole life.

    But the Buddha was just that, a guide. It wasn't easy to describe what was missing. There were Bodhisattvas who stayed behind to help those in hell and on earth reach enlightnment, and those beyond.

    So what she was missing wasn't as simple as what a Christian might call it, the absence of god, something to be proven in a demonstration of faith.

    What she was missing was the Sangra, was that feeling that she was part of something larger.

    Attachments themselves were a part of worldly weakness, and yet through worldly weakness one could see the truth that the world was locked in a cycle, in which ignorance brought misery and death.

    It was the job of those alive to try to transcend this, and more than that to try to save others.

    And so Eva meditated on this, tried to empty herself out, and there sitting on Cora's couch, she found some measure of balance. Yet balance wasn't what was needed, and when she pulled away from the trances, she did so to feel the aches and pains of the world.

    Jonathan Graves came in on the second day and asked, "Hey, what are you doing?"

    "Trying to find something I've lost," Eva said with a smile, "Through meditation."

    "Oh, yeah, my mother mentioned that. Thanks for helping me with the presentation the other day," Jonathan said, rubbing the back of her head.

    "It is no problem. I like helping others," Eva said, "And this new world is interesting, if distressing."

    "Yeah, I mean I lost my friend," Jonathan said, "And everything's different. My mother's very busy with her work, I know. It makes me feel a little lonely."

    "She does love you, yet," Eva said, "Her job is one that is very important. But if you feel there are problems, you need to talk to her."

    "How would I do that? Go up to mom and ask her to stop reading through a bunch of papers she never lets me see?" Jonathan asked, sounding a little testy, "It's like she thinks I'm a kid. I'm learning lots of magic from Arrow, but it's never going to be enough to impress her, because she's some sort of super-genius at magic, and she was always…"

    Jonathan let out a breath, "You know I don't mean it."

    Eva frowned and said, "Cora would understand. Mrs. Graves is a good woman, and kinder than she might think."

    Eva knew that Cora had done bad things. Smoked, drank alcohol, murdered. She was attached to the world as well, built to it, wedded to it, and if she took flight in dreams and looked there a being beyond it, that was only a vision. Just as her Mask was. Yet there was something about her that Eva liked and couldn't place, a soul that for all that it had been 'marred' by the standards of some…

    Mrs. Graves wasn't going to escape the cycle of reincarnation in this life, but so few were. The point of her religion was not necessarily a belief that all will be saved, but that all can be saved, that all can escape if they know how to escape.

    "Yeah, but I already feel like...I know she wasn't even a Changeling when she was my age," Jonathan said, "But it feels like I'm so far behind her. Like there's nothing I can do that she can't do better, and I wonder if she...I've heard one of the other Changelings say she has spies. Is she spying on me?"

    Eva wondered at Jonathan's question. She wondered about many things, for to understand the world, you had to...understand people. Like Jonathan. Like others.

    She'd never find what she was missing by meditation alone. She needed to go out into the world, and see what she found there.

    *****
    There are not many buddhists in the city, and there was no such thing as priests in the way a Christian would use it. Yet there were those that looked up to her, and she met them, one by one.

    Sally and Shi, a couple, Shi being a former businessman from China, and Harold Flemings, who had been homeless before Eva had found him, but yet others were missing. One by one she found people, and one by one she found she'd lost people. It was a wound in her heart, but it was one that reminded her that she had a heart. Loss was part of the world, was an inherent characteristic of it.

    She gathered them and told them some of what had happened, and they tried to accept it as best they could.

    "I know people who can provide you help, if you want it," Eva said quietly. She had some money of her own, and her money meant nothing against the suffering she was seeing.

    Yet she felt no closer to an answer. The search for the Buddha must not override kindness, and was in fact inherent in it.

    *****
    When Jason "Smiles" arrived, Eva didn't watch him. Instead she watched Jonathan.

    Interesting.

    *****
    The dream made no sense, but her dreams often didn't, but it felt real in a way that made her shake when she awoke, laying in a heap. She couldn't meditate after that, thinking about it, staring out into the darkness. She walked down a street and saw a drunk man stumble out from a bar, reeling to the left and then to the right. He stood and stared at her, and his eyes were haunted.

    He needed her, that's what those eyes said, soulful and lost and longing and angry, angry at the world he thought was failing him. Angry because he didn't know...angry for so many reasons she couldn't even begin to describe it.

    And she saw a hospital, and rows and rows of corpses going in and out, in and out.

    She...she had to help others, first of all. That's what she interpreted it as, and when she talked to Cora, Cora suggested that there were ways she could subtly help the sick and injured.

    As a Candy Striper, she could touch the arms of patients, and give them at least some comfort, at least a little lease on new health.

    *****
    She prowled the alleys, avoiding fights, going to the worst parts of town. She knew that soon, before she knew it, she would see it. See him. And yet she didn't yet. But she couldn't allow her disappointment to grow, she couldn't demand when she had been given her first prophetic dream since the day she'd lost it all.

    She had something, she just needed to find the right person, and let faith be her guide from there.

    She was on her way.


    Oh I'm On My Way, I know I am (DC 40): 1d100-15 (New World)+10 (Piety)+10 (Cora's Aid)=1d100+5=91
    Somewhere Not So Far From here (DC 50): 1d100+5+10 (Overrun divided by five)=71
    All I Know Is All I Feel Right Now (DC 55): 1d100+5+4 (Overrun divided by 5)+3 (On a roll)=53
    I Feel A Power Growing In My Hair (DC: 60): 1d100+5-5 (Failure)=65
    Sitting On My Own Not By Myself (DC: 70): 1d100-10 (New World)+10 (Piety)+10 (Cora's Help)+5 (Friends and Followers)=45
    Everybody's Helping Me (DC: 75): 1d100+25-25 (Failure in the Last Roll)=76
    I Don't Need To Touch Your Face To Know (DC: 75): 1d100+25=80
    And I Don't Need To Use My Eyes To See (DC: 80): 1d100+25+1 (Previous overrun/5)=92
    I Always Wonder If I Sleep Too Long (DC: 75): 1d100+25+4 (Previous overuns/3)=88
    Will I Always Wake Up The Same (Or so)--DC 80: 1d100+25+5 (Previous overrun)=109
    And Keep Wondering If I Sleep Too Long--DC 85: 1d100+25+7=125
    Will I Even Wake Up Again, Or Something--DC 90: 1d100+25+10=132
    Oh I'm On My Way I Know I Am (DC: 75): 1d100+16+11=75
    But There Were Times When I Thought Not (DC 95): 1d100+25=90
    Bleeding Half My Soul In Bare Company (DC 100): 1d100+25-5=40, finally stalled here, will continue next week from here.

    *****
    A/N: So, a bit short, but it's the start of something, hope the style of writing is alright, might be a bit too vague?

    The vote's still open, by the way.
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • Minor typo from turn 2-A:
    The Laurent said:
    "So she was so paranoid from that single fact that she acted in a way that revealed it to you<" Cora asked. "How can we use this information?"
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    [X] No, this is...well, there are reasons the League couldn't possibly work...but there are also reasons why the League could work, and the fact that people are willing to go along with it, at least so far as discussing the possibility, addresses some of the weaknesses of the ideas of the leagues.
     
    Turn 2--Dinner with Yvonne, Part 1
  • Threadmarks
    • Turn 2--Dinner with Yvonne, Part 1

    It was a nice restaurant, if a little old-fashioned for Cora's tastes. Forged in relative poverty even after an excess of wealth, she admitted that she didn't like understated meals and she felt uncomfortable in classy restaurants. Of course, she also was uncomfortable with a great many things that she did every day.

    In fact, she thought, positioning her napkin in her lap, her discomfort was merely academic. She had gone out plenty of times to such places, and so her thinking such thoughts was less a statement of fact and more a built-in opinion which she clung to with a stubbornness she knew was unreasonable.

    When she looked up, Yvonne Gardiner was staring back at her. "I do not know just who or what you are, Mrs. Graves."

    Cora smiled humorlessly, knowing that this was a rather blatant way to fish for information when Yvonne knew far less about Cora than Cora knew about Yvonne Gardiner. She would have known even more if she had had time to view and listen to the recordings of the bugged house, but even without that the basic details were quite clear.

    The oldest daughter of the matriarch of the family, Amelia Gardiner, she was an eater of psychic energy like the others, and based on a careful perusing of her past, she was a lesbian, and moreover there was something unexpected that Cora didn't find in her past.

    A trail of bodies. An examination of the evidence gave reason to believe that the psychic feeding they did, or their own criminal lifestyles, meant that some percentage of their victims died, perhaps from a loss of psychic energy. With a single area of questioning, all of Yvonne's victims, or rather lovers, had instead been set up with jobs, careers, or otherwise dumped harmlessly by the wayside.

    Her preferences seemed to range the gamut, though her most notable recent lover now owned a bakery that was known throughout the city.

    Furthermore, based on a comment that Bobby had made, and his sister had responded to about Yvonne being a 'Wiccan' it was highly likely that she possessed this world's form of magic, and Bobby's skepticism even though he apparently knew of the psychic-feeding element of their existence hinted at this being rare.

    Besides that, there was strong evidence that Yvonne's intelligence and charm were considerable.

    Cora looked with her dead eyes at Yvonne and said, "I wonder why you are so careful."

    "Excuse me?" Yvonne asked.

    "You care that I saved the girl, and you care about all of those in your past who have been your lovers," Cora said carefully.

    Yvonne flushed, eyes darting around as if looking for the trap, for the attack. It was dark out, and the waiter was taking a while to come with the food.

    Cora knew that this was a restaurant owned by people friendly to Yvonne. Friendly enough to attack Cora if Yvonne Gardiner panicked too much and did something undesirable, now that was an interesting social puzzle to figure out.

    "What makes less sense is why you helped me. The obvious answer," Yvonne said, folding her fingers together nervously, glancing over at her purse. She had weapons in her purse. So did Cora. "The obvious answer," she repeated, "Is that you wished to set the cat among the canaries, turn our family against each other."

    "How is St. Martin?" Cora asked, drolly.

    "In the dog house. Yet I think the answer is deeper than that. Why is someone that everyone else seems to suspect is a Black Court Vampire working with someone that everyone suspects is an...unknown element, to unknown ends, using unknown abilities in an unknown way," Yvonne said, "Yet you knew this already."

    She didn't. Or rather, she suspected that the actions so far all pointed to a common misunderstanding, which she had thus far exploited without understanding it in a framework that made sense. Earlier, she had heard references to 'Red Court Vampires.' Red Court were the vampires that were here, Black Court were something different, and their presence scared people. "I do," she said smoothly, "Speculation can be useful. People do it all the time."

    Cora didn't speak further, let the words sink in as Yvonne carefully said, "June is alright right now, and even invested in the college project you drew her off to."

    "Human cultures are an interest of mine," Cora Graves said, "Cultures come in many forms, including sub-cultures." She allowed her voice to grow drier, and watched as Yvonne read into it, thought about what it could mean.

    "You search for knowledge?" Yvonne asked.

    "No more than you do," Cora responded, and she saw Yvonne's shock, then disbelief, and then uncertainty.

    Yvonne frowned, and Cora could imagine what she was thinking about. What she had done to the Fiddler.

    "That...is a surpremely discomforting statement. You are a woman who made my brother wet himself in fear. A man who enjoys fear the way some others might enjoy a good snack."

    Cora's face didn't twitch in reaction to this extra information. She'd known it, but now she had confirmation. The psychic vampires could feed on more than just lust.

    "Distasteful, but…" Yvonne trailed off, then shook her head, "What truly matters is figuring you out, containing you. You're an unknown element, for all that you've helped me."

    "I will continue to be an element," Cora said simply, as the salads came out and were set down in front of them. She leaned forward, "But you didn't come here just for that. You came to learn, to thank me, and…"

    "To learn is rather as much as I hoped," Yvonne said, "Yet I don't know how far I can get in other areas." She sighed, "This dinner is turning out to be frustrating, but I was going to ask what you wanted in exchange for the good deed you did June."

    "I will not say that it was nothing and ask for nothing in return," Cora said.

    "Good, it saves me from insisting that it is repaid. I am not one of the Fae, but I do not like to owe someone who might be an enemy."

    Talking to her was a veritable boon of information, so long as Cora could avoid actually giving away any information in return. The Fae, huh...it could fit into what she'd heard about how the Spear of Galway was acquired, perhaps. A figure out of folklore, and then a mention of the Fae.

    Interesting.

    As a Boon, Cora Asks For? (Choose 2)

    [] A favor.
    [] Information: (Will be phrased in such a way as to try to indicate asking about local information, rather than showing ignorance)
    -[] The Red Court Vampires.
    -[] The Fiddler.
    -[]...Wizards.
    -[] Fae.
    -[] The strange serpent-man-thing briefly met during the party.
    [] Perhaps some trade deals?
    [] Write-in, feel free to be creative.

    What is talked about? (Pick up to 4, but the more picked, the more chances there might be to let slip some information)

    [] The situation involving June and Linda.
    [] "Saint" Martin.
    [] Red Court vs. The Gardiners.
    [] The Fiddler.
    [] The possibility for future dealings.
    [] The Political Order of St. Louis.
    [] Yvonne's mother, Amelia Gardiner.
    [] Bobby.
    [] The strange serpent-men.
    [] Write-in.

    *****

    Yvonne: Socialize 4+Manipulation 5=9 vs. Cora: Subterfuge (Misdirection)+Manipulation=11

    5 vs. 6 successes

    Subterfuge: 3 successes

    Socialize: 3 successes

    A/N: Wee, this feels like I'm writing for KCS again!
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] A favor.
    [X] Information: (Will be phrased in such a way as to try to indicate asking about local information, rather than showing ignorance)
    -[X] Fae.

    Fae is safest to ask about, since obviously a Black Court Vamp wouldn't be familiar with Fae, right?

    [X] Red Court vs. The Gardiners.
    [X] The situation involving June and Linda.
    [X] The possibility for future dealings.

    And let's have a friendly chat.
     
    [X] Information: (Will be phrased in such a way as to try to indicate asking about local information, rather than showing ignorance)
    -[X] The Red Court Vampires.
    -[X] Fae

    [] What rumors have been spread about me?

    I want to ask about local Blampires, but that would be a tip-off about something... Mainly that I don't know my own competitors... Although, it could be said that Cora's been literally living under a rock or something, like having gone way, way, way out into the Nevernever... Although, Cora wouldn't know to hint that...

    Getting info on Winter and Summer Court existence would be interesting for the reactions...

    What is talked about? (Pick up to 4, but the more picked, the more chances there might be to let slip some information)
    [X] Red Court vs. The Gardiners.
    [X] The Fiddler.
    [X] The possibility for future dealings.

    Know what threatens the Gardiners, to pick a side?
     
    Last edited:
    [X] A favor.
    [X] Information: (Will be phrased in such a way as to try to indicate asking about local information, rather than showing ignorance)
    -[X]...Wizards.

    White Court traditionally doesn't truck much with the Fae...but DOES pay attention the to White Council, if nothing else because Wampires can learn wizard style magic if they have the talent.

    I'd prefer to keep one favor open though. It's perfect for ass saving in the future, more so than mining for information we're already otherwise getting.



    [X] Red Court vs. The Gardiners.
    [X] The Political Order of St. Louis.
    [X] The possibility for future dealings.

    I'd prefer to keep it businesslike. She owes us, but doesn't trust us, so we stick to work, and profit. Talking about her lover or family is risky because well...imagine you were chatting with a Blampire and she kept talking about your family.

    That's a threat.

    Instead, talk about enemies in common, objectives in common and deals. Very interesting information, yet also safe, because she treats her affections kindly and posing a threat would not go well.
     
    [X] Information: (Will be phrased in such a way as to try to indicate asking about local information, rather than showing ignorance)
    -[X] The Fiddler.

    [X] Red Court vs. The Gardiners.
    [X] The possibility for future dealings.
    [X] The strange serpent-men.
     
    [X] A favor.
    [X] Information: (Will be phrased in such a way as to try to indicate asking about local information, rather than showing ignorance)
    -[X] Fae.

    I'm sure there is something better we could ask for than information we can get other ways relatively easily, but our only obvious shared interest with her is in protecting/ nurturing humans and I can't see us or her trusting each other with that.

    [X] "Saint" Martin.
    [X] Red Court vs. The Gardiners.
    [X] The possibility for future dealings.
    [X] The strange serpent-men.
     
    [X] A favor.
    [X] Information: (Will be phrased in such a way as to try to indicate asking about local information, rather than showing ignorance)
    -[X] Fae.

    [X] Red Court vs. The Gardiners.
    [X] The Political Order of St. Louis.
    [X] The possibility for future dealings.

    I think that we'd be more interested in the Fae..

    (here I have the funny idea that Cora orders a vegetarian meal xD .. poor poor Yvonne )
     
    [X] A favor.
    [X] Information: (Will be phrased in such a way as to try to indicate asking about local information, rather than showing ignorance)
    -[X] Fae.

    [X] Red Court vs. The Gardiners.
    [X] The situation involving June and Linda.
    [X] The possibility for future dealings.
     
    [X] Information: (Will be phrased in such a way as to try to indicate asking about local information, rather than showing ignorance)
    -[X] The shape of the local mystic-political landscape.
    [X] Perhaps some trade deals?


    [X] The situation involving June and Linda.
    [X] Red Court vs. The Gardiners.
    [X] The possibility for future dealings.
    [X] Something to build camaraderie or at least minimal social bonds. Spin the goodwill into more goodwill!
     
    [X] A favor.
    [X] Information: (Will be phrased in such a way as to try to indicate asking about local information, rather than showing ignorance)
    -[X]...Wizards.
    [X] Red Court vs. The Gardiners.
    [X] The Political Order of St. Louis.
    [X] The possibility for future dealings.
     
    [X] Information: (Will be phrased in such a way as to try to indicate asking about local information, rather than showing ignorance)
    -[X] The Fiddler.
    -[X] Fae.

    Information on what exactly we made an enemy of is a priority. The nature of the Fae is also pretty obviously important to changelings like ourself.

    [X] The Fiddler.
    [X] The possibility for future dealings.
    [X] The Political Order of St. Louis.
     
    PlatypusofFail said:
    It is quite the assumption to claim that she would share that information in a casual conversation.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    As far as she knows we're only asking about local information, being already aware of the general state of affairs, and we're powerful enough that only a major mistake will give us pause. There's presumably also plenty of other local magical beings that she'd expect to be easily found and coaxed into filling in a newcomer. From her POV, the information is only mildly valuable.
     
    Reader mode
    You must login or register to reply here.
    Remove ads
    Back
    Top