Halloween GP

[londoncallingmods]

The weather today had been fairly pleasant, a mostly sunny day wedged between fairly grey ones. It wasn't warm, but the chill was minimal for this time of year, and there wasn't a drop of rain in sight. As night crept in, however, the streets slowly faded from sun kissed and painted in autumnal colours, to foggy and damp. An odd thing, really, since the forecast had predicted a clear and pleasant night.

It wasn't normal fog either, it was denser, thicker, and it carried an distinct scent, like cinnamon sugar and chestnuts. It was so thick it seemed to drain the streets of their colour, leaving the wold desaturated and grey. More importantly, anyone with a bit of magic in them would sense, quite quickly, that it wasn't of this world. It crackled quietly with power, dark and heavy. Unfriendly.

It was around nine pm that the local police stations began to receive calls, things they assumed were pranks at first, but soon began rolling in so quickly and frequently that it seemed something more was afoot. The evening news spoke of mass hysteria, warning people to stay indoors. Conspiracy blogs were lit up with chatter of chemical warfare, and some 'airborne drug'. There were reports of people seeing everything from long dead loved ones, to killer clowns.

Though despite the nervous chattering of talking heads and twitter addicts, most people were paying the supposed danger no mind. Clubs and bars on every block were blasting music and throwing costume parties, people were out with friends, wandering the streets and looking for a fun time. It may have been Monday, but that didn't seem to be stopping many people from enjoying the holiday.  

For the most part, everything seemed fine. ...The crowds and groups remained oblivious to the danger of the fog. ...It was only those who slipped off on their own, to have a quick smoke, to get some air or head home early. They were the ones in danger, they were the ones who's darkest fears seemed to emerge from the thick fog. 

Around 10pm, reports started to come in regarding a body found in Whitechapel, cut open wide and left to bleed out. No prints at the scene, no signs that anyone else had even been there. The CCTV footage had somehow been rendered useless, glitched out and blurred. A trouble echoed by every other security camera on the street. It was enough to set twitter and the internet off all over again, with talk of how the things seen in the fog might, somehow, be real.

(Happy Halloween! The fog is bringing fears and spoops to life! You can make the creatures and fabrications of the fog as personal or general as you like. Whatever works best to spook your pup. If, for any reason, you don't want your pup to see any spooks, that's totally fine too. It's not a required plot. Unlike last year, this time around the creepy things your pup might see can harm them and do real damage. Though they will vanish in the morning. If your pup is sensitive to magic in any way, they might sense that this magic is distinctly fae. If you have questions about what you can or can't do, just ask in slack! Though really, the only limit here is your imagination. Remember to check with other players before doing anything that might seriously hurt their pup, ect, ect, and have fun!)

Comments

[miss_ives]

"Is that what it felt like to you?" Vanessa asked, surprised by that. "I had rather thought... that it could not take the magic I decided to do."

It had protected her against ill forces, and so when she had resorted to Verbis Diablo, it had not surprised her that it might break. But had she called on its power as well, mixing it to the darker magic to banish the creature haunting Felix?

[harrowgate]

"I... confess I was somewhat distracted at the time," Felix admitted slowly. "And whatever you used is quite outside my realm of expertise." Perhaps, as well, he'd made a few assumptions that weren't quite warranted.

"What I felt was a channeled stream of some kind of power -- directed, not disperse. I know I felt something snap, but whether that was related to your talisman or to Malkar's... assault, I could not say for certain."

[miss_ives]

"Whatever happened, it was more than it could handle," Vanessa stated, fingers brushing against what remained of the talisman, before she reached behind her neck to unclasp its chain.

She set it in her palm, the empty amulet, then laid it on the table. It looked like a pronouncement on things to come, and she could not help the dread gathering in her lungs.

[harrowgate]

Felix dropped his gaze slowly. Whether or not she had done so intentionally, the fact remained that Vanessa had been protected and now she was not... because of him.

"I... am in your debt," he finally said, almost too quiet to hear.

[miss_ives]

Vanessa paused, wanting to make sure how to react to that statement. "If that is how you choose to view it," she finally answered, her tone exempt of judgement. The idea was to respect his view of things, while assuring him that she held him to no such debt, herself.

[harrowgate]

"You don't?" Felix might have laughed if he hadn't felt so guilty. "You were protected from an invading evil you've been fearing for... well, years, at least, I gather. Now you aren't. It's my fault."

[miss_ives]

"I don't recall you forcing me to help," Vanessa pointed out, her sharp gaze steady on Felix. "My decision was my own, and if you must lay blame, it ought to land at my feet. But I would do it again, Felix."

Leaving a friend in such danger would be as bad for her soul as the demon that trailed her, if not worse.

[harrowgate]

I'm not worth the risk, Felix wanted to say, but the stern look in Vanessa's eyes stilled his tongue. That was something of a victory, whether she knew it or not. Many of his friends would pay dearly to learn how to shut Felix up.

"I sincerely hope that will not be necessary. Ever. Still, I would offer some protections for your home, if you'd allow me... when I've recovered a bit."

[miss_ives]

"I would be grateful," Vanessa answered honestly. More grateful than she knew how to put into words. She did not, however, like the idea that Felix might do it out of a sense of obligation. But that was for him to know. She would simply be grateful.

[harrowgate]

"Don't let me forget," Felix said, sighing as if some weight had been lifted from him. He sank back into his chair and drained his glass, looking and feeling quite exhausted. Felix knew he wouldn't forget. He couldn't have Vanessa's safety on his conscience.

[miss_ives]

"I shan't," Vanessa assured him quietly, then reached for one of her slim cigarettes, and offered the pack out to Felix in case he wanted one.

[harrowgate]

Though not a regular smoker, the prospect of something narcotically calming seemed like Felix's best option just now. He inclined a nod and accepted one of the cigarettes. Then, with the tiniest hint of a smile, he leaned forward and conjured a tiny flame between his fingers to offer her for a light.

[miss_ives]

Vanessa's small smile met his even smaller one, and she leaned forward to touch the end of her cigarette to his flame, taking a drag. "Thank you."