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  1. - Top - End - #1
    Titan in the Playground
     
    SamuraiGuy

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    Mar 2013

    Default New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Act 1 Scene i

    “There are so many fragile things. After all, people break so easily; and so do dreams and hearts.”
    -Neil Gaiman


    The dreams (if you could call them that) had started about a week ago, on the night that Bethany and her friends hat moved into the Chelsea apartment from White Plains, NY. Bethany, or B as her friends called her, was not sure they were dreams, because they were too vivid, too easy to remember and absolutely too lucid. And perhaps Nightmare was more appropriate. They did not come every night, but it was becoming an unfortunate regularity. Tonight, the dream started the same way they all had; not with the sensation of falling, but with drowning.

    There was the claustrophobic realization that every part of her body was being invaded by the cold wet water. It was like ice, so sharp that it forced Bethany to squeeze her eyes shut, and almost made her scream out in surprise. But she had been through this for the last week, and she knew to squeeze her lips tight, lest the putrid tasting swamp water reached her tongue.

    It took less time now to stop thrashing and orient herself. Bethany opened her eyes and sought out the light, using the moon's glow to find the surface. Gaining willful control of her limbs, Bethany swam up, and up, and up, not thinking about what else may be lurking down in the cold dark water. Finally she broke the surface, flinging her head back and gasping for air. The yellow moon was full, and monstrously large in the starless sky. The water showed no ripples, despite her actively treading water. The surface of the lake was dark obsidian, and reflected the moon, and her face in a pale white distortion of reality.

    Bethany paddled to the shore, slowly pulling herself onto land, as her hung wet and heavy protectively against her body. She caught her breath from the exertion, and trudged a little farther onto the lake's bank. There was the familiar snuffling, growling, and yipping sound (Dogs? Wolves?), somewhere off in the distance, behind the dark and twisted trees. But as always, the animals came no closer and did not reveal themselves.

    A hooting noise brought Bethany's attention skyward, where a snow white horned owl had landed on the extended branch of a near by tree. The owl cocked it's head at B, it's wide eyes examining her knowingly. It opened it's yellowed cracked beak and let out a shrill human like cackle. The owl turned it's head over it's shoulder, spinning it's neck impossibly so that the head turned a full 360 degree circle. And when the head had turned around fully, Bethany was staring in to the eyes of The Crone.

    The impossibly wrinkled face leered at Bethany, with black little eyes behind a long crooked nose. A tassel of wild white hair merged with the owl's snow white feathers. The Crone cackled again then said, "Hello again Bethany, my little pretty one.". She cocked her head again at Bethany, as if waiting for a reply.

  2. - Top - End - #2
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Dec 2016

    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Please, stop this. How do I stop... this?

    Bethany in fear and disgust looks both to her right and left, hoping to find an exit, not willing to wait for an answer she knows she will regret hearing.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bennosuke View Post
    Act 1 Scene i

    “There are so many fragile things. After all, people break so easily; and so do dreams and hearts.”
    -Neil Gaiman


    The dreams (if you could call them that) had started about a week ago, on the night that Bethany and her friends hat moved into the Chelsea apartment from White Plains, NY. Bethany, or B as her friends called her, was not sure they were dreams, because they were too vivid, too easy to remember and absolutely too lucid. And perhaps Nightmare was more appropriate. They did not come every night, but it was becoming an unfortunate regularity. Tonight, the dream started the same way they all had; not with the sensation of falling, but with drowning.

    There was the claustrophobic realization that every part of her body was being invaded by the cold wet water. It was like ice, so sharp that it forced Bethany to squeeze her eyes shut, and almost made her scream out in surprise. But she had been through this for the last week, and she knew to squeeze her lips tight, lest the putrid tasting swamp water reached her tongue.

    It took less time now to stop thrashing and orient herself. Bethany opened her eyes and sought out the light, using the moon's glow to find the surface. Gaining willful control of her limbs, Bethany swam up, and up, and up, not thinking about what else may be lurking down in the cold dark water. Finally she broke the surface, flinging her head back and gasping for air. The yellow moon was full, and monstrously large in the starless sky. The water showed no ripples, despite her actively treading water. The surface of the lake was dark obsidian, and reflected the moon, and her face in a pale white distortion of reality.

    Bethany paddled to the shore, slowly pulling herself onto land, as her hung wet and heavy protectively against her body. She caught her breath from the exertion, and trudged a little farther onto the lake's bank. There was the familiar snuffling, growling, and yipping sound (Dogs? Wolves?), somewhere off in the distance, behind the dark and twisted trees. But as always, the animals came no closer and did not reveal themselves.

    A hooting noise brought Bethany's attention skyward, where a snow white horned owl had landed on the extended branch of a near by tree. The owl cocked it's head at B, it's wide eyes examining her knowingly. It opened it's yellowed cracked beak and let out a shrill human like cackle. The owl turned it's head over it's shoulder, spinning it's neck impossibly so that the head turned a full 360 degree circle. And when the head had turned around fully, Bethany was staring in to the eyes of The Crone.

    The impossibly wrinkled face leered at Bethany, with black little eyes behind a long crooked nose. A tassel of wild white hair merged with the owl's snow white feathers. The Crone cackled again then said, "Hello again Bethany, my little pretty one.". She cocked her head again at Bethany, as if waiting for a reply.

  3. - Top - End - #3
    Titan in the Playground
     
    SamuraiGuy

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    Mar 2013

    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Bethany looks around her. The lake, or river is behind her, it's stone cobbled bank spreading in a long curve to either direction. Ahead, the stones lead to a thinly run series of grasses and weeds, which are shadowed by the twisted silhouettes of the looming forest. The woods are so thick that Bethany cannot make out much more than a black abyss under the tree cover. It may be a trick of the light, but she could swear that she sees large shapes moving in that darkness.

    The Crone sits perched atop the branch of the nearest tree. When Bethany looks back, the owl's feathered torso has been replaced with the sagging flesh of an elderly woman. Withered breast hang down past the Crone's clawed talons. She cackles and says, "Don't look so surprised dear. We both know you were bound to come back to me."

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Please stop hitting "Reply with Quote". There is a big brown "Reply to Thread" button, use that instead.
    Last edited by Bennosuke; 2016-12-27 at 09:53 PM.

  4. - Top - End - #4
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default response to issues

    Bethany turns back to the crone and bites her lower lip nervously.

    NO! Get away from me!

    Bethany makes a sharp turn and sprints away alongside the edge of the lake, scanning the looming forest for a break where she can escape to.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bennosuke View Post
    Bethany looks around her. The lake, or river is behind her, it's stone cobbled bank spreading in a long curve to either direction. Ahead, the stones lead to a thinly run series of grasses and weeds, which are shadowed by the twisted silhouettes of the looming forest. The woods are so thick that Bethany cannot make out much more than a black abyss under the tree cover. It may be a trick of the light, but she could swear that she sees large shapes moving in that darkness.

    The Crone sits perched atop the branch of the nearest tree. When Bethany looks back, the owl's feathered torso has been replaced with the sagging flesh of an elderly woman. Withered breast hang down past the Crone's clawed talons. She cackles and says, "Don't look so surprised dear. We both know you were bound to come back to me."

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Please stop hitting "Reply with Quote". There is a big brown "Reply to Thread" button, use that instead.

  5. - Top - End - #5
    Titan in the Playground
     
    SamuraiGuy

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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Bethany turns and begins running down the grass bank. Stones and rough weeds sting her feet as she flees, but as soon as she runs the sound of cackling and wings can be heard overhead. Bethany only makes it about 20 feet before the Owl crone lands in front of her, it's sagging teats reaching all the way to the ground. "Be brave little girl. There are things far more dangerous than I here." As The Crone smiles at Bethany, the yipping and howls from inside the woods pick up in volume, overlapping and perhaps getting closer.

    "I have come to talk about you Bethany", she says, stepping towards Bethany on talon tipped claws. "You know you are special; nothing like your Sleeping friends."

  6. - Top - End - #6
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Frozen to the ground by her nerves, but still cognizant regarding her surroundings and dream-like state, Bethany puts her hands out in front of her to keep the distance between them and takes two steps back.

    Look, we have nothing to talk about, just... just let me wake up from this. This is all just a BAD DREAM!

    Bethany then closes her eyes and begins repeating the words "Wake up. It's not real." hoping that it would be so.

  7. - Top - End - #7
    Titan in the Playground
     
    SamuraiGuy

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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    The Crone grimaces at Bethany's words. "No!" she growls, her words cutting through Bethany's mantra. "Now you listen to me little pretty. You and I are here for a reason, whether you like it or not. You can no more ignore me than you can you're magical abilities."

    Her words pull a frown from Bethany, and the Crone cackles. "Yes, those abilities which you try so hard to hide from your friends!" As she speaks, something begins to bubble in the water, thick belch like gas coming up from the surface.

  8. - Top - End - #8
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Bethany opens her eyes and turns around to the water behind her.

  9. - Top - End - #9
    Titan in the Playground
     
    SamuraiGuy

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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Bethany turns away from The Crone, towards the dark waters of the lake. The surface is completely still, creating a mirror like reflection of of the full moon above. Only in one area, where the bubbles rise in loud bursts is the illusion disrupted.

    The Crone continues speaking, as Bethany watches the bubbles spread over a larger and larger area of the water's surface. "But know this little one", she says, stepping closer to Bethany, "you will never be like your friends, no matter how hard you try. You will never be one of them!"

    The water's surface breaks as a human form bursts up into the sky. As the figure spins through the air, Bethany can almost swear that she recognizes the person. Somersaulting, the limbs of the body flailing limply, passes overhead, and lands with a crunch on the grass behind the Crone.

    Bethany takes a step towards the body, when she recognizes the battered face of Jean Vanderbilt, in the pile of twisted limbs. In the real world, Jean is one of Bethany's friends. She was the first of the group to find Bethany, alone and afraid and confused. Jean had always gone out of her way to protect Bethany; when the others had doubted her story, or didn't want her moving in with them. Of the three girls: Jean, Alexis, and Hannah, it had been Jean that Bethany had come to love the most.

    Her straw blond hair was stained red above one ear, and clung in a wet mess around her narrow green eyes. The girl's neck bent at a hard angle so that her nose was almost fully under one armpit. Jean was still breathing, in sharp rasping sighs.

    "You must learn to accept that you will never be one of them. They will never accept you for who you are, and so you must decide whether they are worth risking everything to you!"

    The damage that Jean had taken in her incredible fall looked irreparable, but Bethany knew she had to try to help her.

  10. - Top - End - #10
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    The Crone was now ever closer and the dread that was filling Bethany's head, her chest... her everything, loomed over her like a great darkness. Jean had to be safe.

    Bethany, in a blind attempt of will, makes an attempt to swat the Crone away in a 180 degree spin swat.

    LEAVE HER ALONE!

  11. - Top - End - #11
    Titan in the Playground
     
    SamuraiGuy

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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    The Crone lets out a series of caws, like a crow, and flutters back as Bethany swings, flapping up and up, and landing on the branch of a tree. The bird's cackle's change to that of the old woman's again, "Ho ho ho! I don't plan on touching her. But you... I don't think she can make it much longer without you, little cupcake."

    Jean moans softly, her voice trailing off.

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Here we go, time for your first attempt at casting a spell. And yes, that's right, this is like the first level in a video game where they teach you how to play. Bethany is going to try to cast Knit to heal Jean.

    The base casting pool is Bethany's Gnosis (1) + Arcana Life (3) + benefit from Yantras=4d10 + Yantras bonus (Again, yantra is just a term for various techniques to aid in casting, such as speaking magic words or making hand gestures).

    Bethany's Gnosis is one, meaning she can incorporate 2 different Yantras into her casting. Description for various Yantras begins on page 119. I will list some ones I think you should consider (PICK TWO):

    Spoiler: Yantras
    Show
    Supernal Verge: In places of magical power, a mage can call on the magic of the domain to enhance their spells. Since this is a "Magical Dream world" so to speak, I will allow you 2 extra die if you use this Yantra.

    Concentration: If you take a full turn (combat term, which does not matter hear; think 10 seconds) to focus before casting, you get a +2 dice bonus. In combat, you can get interrupted by taking damage or trying to do something else while concentrating, but that will not be an issue here.

    Mantra: A trained mage can speak in "High Speech" (Magic language) to gain +2 dice when casting. Anyone listening would know she was speaking something funny, and a mage would know she is casting. For all intents and purposes, Jean is too damaged to be aware of what is happening, so B does not have to worry about this.

    Mudras: NOTE THESE CAN ONLY BE USED WITH A ROTE. A series of hand gestures or similar physical movements which carry magical symbolism. These gestures are tied to skills. Each Spell has it's own specific Mudras skills. For Life, the skills would be Empathy, Medicine or Survival. Bethany could add her 3 dots in Empathy to get 3 dice extra on her roll.

    Dedicated Tool: Bethany can incorporate her obsidian knife into casting her spell. Using the knife would theoretically remove two paradox dice (if she adds a single dice to the pool at least one dice must be rolled)


    As you can see, most Yantras add about 2 dice, but each has an in game draw back (ie most are not subtle in some way shape or form). I would recommend using the Empathy Mudras, and one other to add 5 dice total, for a total of 9 dice. I am going to ask you to describe what Bethany does and if you use enough detail, and the description makes sense relative to the themes of the spell ect, I will give you an extra dice as well.

    Because Mend is a rote, her Arcana counts as level 5 and she gets 3 free raises. When casting a non-rote, the number of free raises is based on your Arcana level in the associated catagory (life in the case of Mend). Without using reaches, the spell will take 3 hours to cast, she must be touching Jean, and will heal 2 bashing damage. With a single reach she can cast the spell from far away, change the casting time to "instant", or to increase the power of the spell (see page 150 for how to increase the power).

    For every reach taken beyond the free reach, Bethany adds a Paradox dice to her paradox pool. Before rolling for the spell, I will roll the paradox dice, and any successes subtract from Bethany's casting pool.

    Spoiler: Rotes and Praxes
    Show
    OK, so now you get how to cast a spell. What does it mean if you have a rote or praxes? These are spells your character is extra good at casting.

    A Praxes is a spell that costs no mana. Also, three successes on the casting roll cause an exceptional success and all sorts of good things can happen (See page 115 for a list of good things). Conversely, a rote gives you access to Mudras. Furthermore, rotes always count as having Arcana level five (so casting life gives you 3 free raises). They also don't leave a Signature Nimbus (meaning no one can track your spell use), and only cost a mana point.

    Note you can have the same spell as a rote or a Praxes, but you can only cast it as one or the other each time you cast it
    Last edited by Bennosuke; 2017-01-08 at 04:42 PM.

  12. - Top - End - #12
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    The world seems to turn grey and cold. Time appears to slow to a crawl and all of sound devolves into a low hum. Thought, fear, self-awareness, all of these things melt away as Bethany is suddenly standing over the crumpled body of Jean, her face obscured by long hair.

    Bethany kneels down to the figure and puts both hands on her, one hand on her shoulder and another on her side. Words begin flowing from Bethany, unknown and ancient words that seems to hold tangent weight as they flow like a river from her mouth. Godspeak, an indecipherable language fills the air, directed at Jean like a spear piercing into a plank. Jean's body writhes as if in pain, but the wracking ends fairly quickly with the effects of the spell working quite quickly. Bethany motions her hands across Jeans body in a criss-crossing pattern that overlaps one hand over the other and then back again with the opposite hand then going above instead of below.

    Bethany touches and speaks and casts Knit upon Jean.



    Yantra: speaking & empathy
    Reaches: 1 to increase speed of cast & 1 to heal lethal damage.

    * post roll count doesn't match database
    Last edited by beastman1; 2017-01-08 at 10:33 PM.

  13. - Top - End - #13
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    SamuraiGuy

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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    There is a series of pops, and Jean's body twists this way and that. Her neck swing back into position with a crunching noise, and a bone that was previously visible in Jean's leg slides back under the skin as the flesh begins to knit over.

    Her will done, Bethany opens her eyes to see that Jean's breathing has returned to a steady rate. There are still large bruises, and a few open wounds, but the girl appears to be resting easily.

    The Crone swoops back down from the tree. Now standing again in human form about 10 yards or so from the two, The Crone leans over a long gnarled wooden staff, tipped with an obsidian spear head. "Very good," she says, her voice like the moving of rusted hinges, "I am glad to see you still have some semblance of your old power. Now away with this one." The Crone points her staff at Bethany and Jean, and with a thunderous boom, a yellow spear of lighting strikes Jean. Though Bethany holds her in her arms, Jean's body begins to shrivel, and then disappear, turning to a cloud of smoke that quickly evaporates in the wind.

    The Crone takes a few steps closer, leaning on her staff like a cane. Her head turns nearly 180 at the howling and barking of the nearby wolves. Turning back she says, "I am afraid we don't have much longer here. It is not safe in these wilds".

  14. - Top - End - #14
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Feeling a bit drained, Bethany takes a few deep, heavy breathes, contemplating her situation and the unrealness of the moment- a moment that at the same time also feels familiar as well for some reason.

    Bethany stares at the crone and also through her. The sounds of wolves are not too far off. Without saying a word, and as if to say "I'm very much done here, in this place, and with you", Bethany makes a run for it, knowing somehow that it made not a lick of difference how far she ran, the Crone would not be so easily evaded.

  15. - Top - End - #15
    Titan in the Playground
     
    SamuraiGuy

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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Bethany turns to run, bolting again down the bank of the lake. The Crone screeches behind her, "No, run no further. It is not safe in these wilds." There is the smell of ozone, and again a clap of thunder. Bethany's feet continue to whirl, but suddenly she finds herself lifted up off the ground, as if grabbed around the waist by an invisible giant.

    She is spun around, till she again faces The Crone, now floating no more than a few feet off the ground. "Now listen to me! There is not time for such foolishness. I can only hold this Ward for so long, and my patience wears thin in delivering my message." The wolves are howling louder now, and the moon's light reflects off of many shifting pairs of eyes, that peer out from between the many trees. "You are not safe while you stay in the city of the New Dutch. And the danger that you attract, for it will find you, shall threaten your little friends all the greater. Try as you must to hide What you are from them, it is your Powers that will protect you and them. You have been warned. Stay alive, for I shall need your flesh when next we meet in person."

    The Crone slams her staff down into the dirt, and the sky erupts in thunder. The wolves yip and howl, their moans getting louder and louder. Bethany drops the few feet to the ground, her legs folding under her as she lands on her knees and hands. She looks up at the Crone who again has taken the form of an Owl, taking flight off into the starless night. The wolves howls grow even louder, surrounding Bethany as she struggles to her feet. Like out of a nightmare the canines that emerge from the woods are terrifically large, their shoulders nearly four four feet off the ground. They begin padding towards Bethany, some lolling and some galloping to surround her.

    Bethany screams, and screams, and screams.

    ************************************************** *******

    Bolting up out of her bed, Bethany turns her head to see her door is open. It takes her a moment to realize that she is back in her room, and that Jean is peering in through the door. She looks nervously at Bethany, "B., B., are you okay? Are you having another nightmare?"

  16. - Top - End - #16
    Dwarf in the Playground
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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    The cold sweat lingers between Bethany and her pajamas, the slightly sweet smell of the bed and room replaced with a slight sour smell that comes from a heavy 5-mile run.

    Still shaking and coming to terms with not being in the woods with wolves, but in the room and safe, Bethany ignores Jean's question.

    Jean calls her name twice, once a bit louder and then again in an almost drill sergeant-esque tone.

    B? B?!!

    The second louder calling of her name snaps Bethany out of it and she immediately steps up and across the room to Jean where she holds her tight in a strong hug around Jean's whole body.

    Oh god, oh jesus... just...just hold me, stupid.

  17. - Top - End - #17
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    SamuraiGuy

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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Jean wraps her arms tightly around Bethany, who hides her head in her shoulder. "Whoa there, it's okay," she says with concern. She strokes Bethany's hair gently, and then pulls her back so that they are looking eye to eye. Jean's lids narrow around her piercing green eyes, which search Bethany as if for some visible answer or flaw. "Was it another night terror?"

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Just double checking, there is no romantic relationship between them. I am assuming Bethany's statement "Just hold me stupid", is because they are close friends, and this has happened before so Jean knows how distressed her dreams make her.
    Last edited by Bennosuke; 2017-01-17 at 05:44 PM.

  18. - Top - End - #18
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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    *They're just friends*

    Bethany pushes back a bit and shakes her head a little.

    No. It was nothing... just, I don't know. Nothing... really. I mean... do you ever get those feelings when you can just SENSE something is coming, but you don't know what? Bethany spoke shakily while speaking into different directions of the room, looking for something to pop out, I just get this feeling.

  19. - Top - End - #19
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    SamuraiGuy

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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Jean returns her friend's hug for a moment longer, then pulls back, leaving her hands on Bethany's shoulders. She shrug and says, "Yeah, sure I do", though her eyes almost scrutinize Bethany with concern. "But it's okay. I promise you that you are safe here. We won't let anything happen." She gives Bethany another hug of reassurance. The irony is not lost on Bethany.

    Stepping back, her cheeks flushing, and her face lightening, Jean says, "Well, I don't know if you are up for it, but Alexis and Hannah and I were gonna go out for Saturday morning brunch if you are interested. There's a place that apparently has killer endless mimosas a few blocks away. You in?"

  20. - Top - End - #20
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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Bethany fakes a half smile and wipes an almost tear from her face, passing it off as an itchy face scratch.

    Yeah, totally. Let me just wash up and I'll meet you downstairs. I need it. I can drive also.

    Jean nods in acceptance and leaves the room for Bethany to change and get cleaned up. In the bathroom Bethany stares into the mirror with disapproval at the thing looking back at her. Sunken eyes, greasy, matted hair from tossing and turning and crust in and around her face.

    Nothings gonna happen, Bethany assured herself, it's gonna be a good day.

  21. - Top - End - #21
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    SamuraiGuy

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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Bethany begins getting herself ready in the bathroom. She quickly washes her face and brushes her teeth, before racing through a layer of foundation and eye liner.

    From downstairs, she can hear The Girls chatting. Alexis giggles and then calls up, "Hey Sleepy Head, you almost ready? We don't have all day, and these mimosas aren't gonna drink themselves." The others giggle, seemingly unaware of Bethany's disquiet.

  22. - Top - End - #22
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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Bethany made her way downstairs to quick hug everyone and put her shoes on.

    Definitely. Thanks for waiting guys. I'm ready whenever you are.

  23. - Top - End - #23
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    SamuraiGuy

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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    The four step out of their apartment, wind down the old carpeted wooden stairs, three flights down to the narrow and poorly lit stone entranceway.

    Ahead of the others, Jean runs a key through the mailbox, to find, unsurprisingly, that it is empty. Too early for the mailman to come. She shrugs and smiles at the others.

    Exiting the brick faced apartment building, following the others, Bethany's face is met with a sharp rush of icy wind. Though it is April, early Spring has not yet brought consistently good weather. In fact, it seems like only recently that there was snow on the ground.

    Bethany allows the others to lead. Although they had only been there a week, walking the streets of New York City always brought a queesy sense of anxiety to Bethany's stomach. It wasn't just towering monolithic buildings that nearly eclipsed the sky, or the packed streets with hundreds of strangers. Things, buildings and even streets to be specific, seemed to move every time Bethany went outside. One day the coffee shop would be on the same corner as Bethany's apartment, and then the next, it would be on the other side of the city. And even more distressing, the other girls seemed never to notice. They had LAUGHED at Bethany when she panicked on the second day they were here, when she told them what was happening. They had told her that it was just her bad sense of direction, and reassured her that she would figure it all out soon enough.

    But deep down, Bethany knew they were wrong. Just like they seemed never to remember any of the strange incidents or magical happenings that had followed Bethany like a plague, they were completely unaware of how the city seemed to constantly be shifting when Bethany turned her back. In fact, Bethany could see that up ahead, Hannah was pointing out to Alexis how Bethany uncomfortably lagged behind, prompting the two to giggle shortly. But Bethany was not bitter, she had learned long ago that she was not like the others, and ultimately, this was her burden... something she refused to let divide her from her friends.

    Jean, seeing Bethany's apprehension, sidled up to Bethany and squeezed her hand. "You okay?" she asked, "If you don't mind me asking, what have you been dreaming about? It seems like you've been having nightmares ever since we moved."

  24. - Top - End - #24
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    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    It crossed Bethany's mind to tell the truth but her rational side reminded her about the possibility of being seen as crazy if she spilt the beans like that.

    Walking a little faster down the street alongside the girls, Bethany smirked and shrugged.

    Don't remember honestly, but I do remember you guys being in it.

    This confused Jean, as she had caught Bethany in a cold, frightful sweat when she awoken from her nightmare.

    We were in it? Jean responded curtly, I thought you liked us.

    Everyone laughed and Bethany tried to laugh with them, but the unease of the world, ever shifting around her like a kaleidoscope on shrooms, kept her from being at ease.

  25. - Top - End - #25
    Titan in the Playground
     
    SamuraiGuy

    Join Date
    Mar 2013

    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    The others chuckle, and the group continues walking. After a few blocks, they pass a small New York City style block park, with a few benches and a fenced in patch of plants with a small maple, just beginning to regain its leaves. As the group begin to pass the park, Bethany begins to pick up on the smell of magic. It was a smell she was only familiar with from the few times she'd practiced alone, or in her dreams when she would encounter The Crone.

    It was a smokey smell, as if someone were burning moss laden dirt. The smell always burned the inside of Bethany's nostrils, but it was not an altogether unpleasant smell. Once, before they had moved down to the city, Bethany had cast a very powerful spell, reaching with all her mental capacity. The stench had been so strong that it had almost been like drinking the smoke. Her throat and tongue had burned with the sensation. Of course though, when the girls had come home, they could not smell the choking smoke that filled the apartment.

    Now the smell was directing Bethany towards a young man sitting on one of the park benches. He was well dressed, in a dark blue suit, with a skinny black tie. The man had on thin rimmed spectacles. At his feet was a fine leather briefcase. He was Caucasian, but of dark olive skin and dark dark brown hair that had been buzzed on the sides and swept across the top. Everything about the man's clothes and dress was practically perfect, like he were a model on a magazine cover. She could see that he was pretending to read a newspaper, but was actually looking up at her, perhaps picking up on her magical smell.

    When Bethany locked eyes with the man, he smiled wryly.

  26. - Top - End - #26
    Dwarf in the Playground
    Join Date
    Dec 2016

    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Instinctively Bethany turned away from the man and made a quick jerk reaction to make it appear like she hadn't even turned her attention to the dapper stranger in the first place- a move that probably didn't deliver the intended results.

  27. - Top - End - #27
    Titan in the Playground
     
    SamuraiGuy

    Join Date
    Mar 2013

    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Bethany tries to ignore the man, following the others inside the cozy restaurant called "Emily's". Inside, the place smells like baking bread and frying eggs, though it is mostly empty. The interior has a decor likely from the 20's, with checkered marble floor, and stained redwood walls. There is a long silvery marble bar, tended by a young man with a shaved head and a waxed handlebar mustache. The server, dressed like the waiter in black vest white shirt and yellow tie, greets the four of you, and shows you to a table by the window. From where you sit, you can see the man still watching you from over the brim of his newspaper. The others seem completely oblivious to this of course.

    The girls chat about their food, while Bethany tries hard not to pay attention to the man. The others seem to notice Bethany's distracted focus, but do little more than tease her for it. Eventually the man leaves the bench, while Bethany is not looking. Breakfast passes without any further incident, and the food Bethany orders is pleasing, though not nearly as well enjoyed as the drinks the older girls get themselves.

    Finally, the four leave Emily's and make their way back to the apartment. Of course, the path back takes the girls in the opposite direction by which they came, at least as far as Bethany remembers, but they still somehow back on their block.

    About 10 yards from the stairs to their apartment, there is a call from behind, "Excuse me miss! Excuse me! I think you dropped this!" It is the man from the park, jogging towards the girls with a brown wool scarf held above his head. In fact, it is one of Bethany's scarves, though she does not remember taking it with her this morning.

    The others stop, to allow him to catch up, and when he arrives, slightly out of breath, he holds the scarf out for Bethany to take. "Hoo, I think you dropped this while you were walking," between short gasps for air.

  28. - Top - End - #28
    Dwarf in the Playground
    Join Date
    Dec 2016

    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Bethany cautiously accepts the scarf from the stranger but does not put it back around her neck, instead loosely grips it in her hand before stuffing it into her jacket pocket.

    Umm, thanks She says, trying to sound genuine and not at all unnerved by the fellow.

  29. - Top - End - #29
    Titan in the Playground
     
    SamuraiGuy

    Join Date
    Mar 2013

    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    Handing Bethany the scarf, the man says, "You are welcome. I'm Steve by the way." The scent of magic had definitely come from this man. He seemed cheerful enough, and this was strange for Bethany. She had never encountered another human being, outside of her dreams with such a strong scent! The burning smoke of wood fire practically wafted from this man.

    Nodding towards Bethany's friends, who were already ascending the stairs up to the apartment door, Steve says, "Perhaps you would not mind talking for a moment?"

    The girls titter when they hear this. "Perhaps we should give them some privacy", Hannah says rather audibly. "Come on", replies Alexis. The two drag Jean into the apartment building with them, leaving Bethany outside alone with Steve.

    When the girls are gone, the man's eyes narrow, "Who are you?". The question is part curiosity, and part accusation. He studies Bethany like a cop might study an outer space alien that just walked into his jailhouse.

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    So however afraid Bethany is of Steve, she is curious as well. She knows in her gut that he is similar to her, in that he is gifted with Magic, and as far as her memory allows, she has never met another person like him. Furthermore, his recognition of her implies that not only is he magical, but that he "knows" magic. This means he may be able to answer many of Bethany's questions since waking up without her memory.

    Bethany may want to try to find out more about Steve, and she has several options to do this. I recommend looking at the spells available to Bethany. I also recommend reading about how she might use Mage Sight (available to all mage characters) to her advantage. Separately, she may view Steve as a threat to her safety or anonimity. If this is the case, she's in a bit of a pickle, since she can't just up and kill him... or can she? Wipe his memory? Maybe....

    So before you respond, I want you to come up with a clear idea of what Bethany wants to accomplish, and how she may accomplish this. If you have a question, shoot me a text or ask in the OOC thread.
    Last edited by Bennosuke; 2017-02-05 at 01:40 PM.

  30. - Top - End - #30
    Dwarf in the Playground
    Join Date
    Dec 2016

    Default Re: New York by Night MtA (IC thread)

    *Never having experienced another person like her, Bethany won't try anything magical or dangerous as her friends and civilians are all about, but she is the kind of character to face her problems up front and so she will disarm the stranger with words instead.*

    Bethany remembers something very important: she never brought a scarf to brunch that day. Clearly something was not right.

    None of your business, Bethany cooly announces, plain and simple, that's who.

    She looks down at the scarf and attempts a magic detect on it to determine if there is anything magical or imbued about it.

    *If the magic detection attempt is successful Bethany will discard the scarf onto the ground and give the stranger a quick warning to leave her alone. If the attempt fails she will request that the two meet somewhere privately.*

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