[Day: Saturday, Oct. 27th. Time: Still 5:30! Timezones are amazing.] [You arrive at Herman's, - one (1) Ten (10?), but + a griffonsister and + a Chineseguyinnabox.] [You'll have to do something about the rental van later, I suppose. But in the meantime, you're at Herman's! He can describe it again if he wants. And his answering machine is beeping annoyingly.] [Good enough. Session Start!] * Ashley stretches! He's visible again. "Bloody hell." * Alys sits down on the floor and starts drawing cows on her arm. * Lukas looks more than a little frazzled. And bloodied. "Gods damn everything..." * Togo gets off the phone. "Okay, my people are coming to coming to pick up the box." Eventually. Oh, good. So we get to play pinata? * Griff_Khalil looks around, Naila still in his arms, then glances at Herman. "Do you have a place I may lay her? I am sorry to impose..." * Herman goes to the answering machine. His place has already been described. Use my bed. This has been a very long... a very long since I met you all. What's it been, a month? * Herman gestures towards his room. "Over there. Don't need to move anything." It takes time to get people together on this side of the pond. Plus they need to get extra security together for something this valuable. * Herman presses play. * Griff_Khalil nods in thanks and goes to the room to set her down on the bed. * Alys lays down on the floor and starts on giraffes. About, Alys. Khalil... I hate to say this, but you may want to restrain her somehow, in case she wakes up and she's still under Asahara influence. I can put wards on the doorway. * Ashley sits on the back of the couch. "Do you have a beer, Herman? Or at least a cup of tea?" * Griff_Khalil turns to give Togo a hard look, then lets it out when Alys speaks. "That...may be a good idea. It will still give her mobility at least. The window as well." * Togo nods. "Good thought, Alys. Do it." [The answering machine beeps, followed by a harried-sounding voice: "Herman! It's Sarah. I couldn't reach you any other way... Valmont attacked the Vatican, along with Dante and..." she pauses. "And several hundred demons. We tried to fight, but... Dear God, it's terrible."] ... oh, fuck me. Well.' * Lukas rolls his eyes at Togo and then says, "At least you know the tech's fried." He exhales noisily and looks to the answering machine. "Ashley wishes, Togo." * Griff_Khalil goes out of the room for a moment so Alys can do her thing. But he looks back sadly into the bedroom. Beer is sounding more and more like the opportune... yes, please? Fuck. I can't believe they did a giant demonic assault on the VATICAN. What is it, like, a city block? * Alys pockets the marker, gets to her feet, and heads into the room. "Unless you know you're not bothered by them, no one try going in here." She uses two wards each on the window and doorway. How the fuck do demons get into the goddamn Vatican? It's got a cross every three inches. * Herman curses and checks when the message is dated. Apparently those do not work? Beer, OR sex. Either or. Anything? * Herman points at the kitchen. Ashley can get it himself. (Sex is also in the kitchen.) (Where else would you keep it?) (And by that, we mean sex on the beach.) (-on the beach) (No, sex in the kitchen, haven't you been paying attention?) (Is that the entire message, Brett?) * Ashley floats over to the kitchen. [The Vatican's priests were totally unprepared for an assault at this scale. The demons overwhelmed them. Justinius and Mariah were seriously wounded. But that's not the worst of it."] * Alys covers her eyes and leans against a wall. * Herman frowns and waits for the worst of it. * Griff_Khalil curses under his breath. Not mildly either. * Lukas just stands there and tries not to leak. ["Dante brought some kind of device. It drained my magical powers, leaving me helpless. But it also affected Liadan; she's half fey. She's in a lot of pain right now. She might die if we don't get that device back soon."] * Togo flinches visibly at the mention of Mariah's injuries. Great. Just fucking great. Aren't we busy enough already? No rest for the weary. ["Dante told me he was heading to the "source of England's magic" next. I'm not sure what that means. Please, you have to find Valmont. Stop him from whatever he's trying to do."] * Togo looks over at Herman expectantly. [She pauses a bit, then adds, "Please. I can't do anything right now." Then the message ends. BEEP!] * Lukas rubs his temples. "Why don't I trust that message?" Because they just tried to summon Lucifer. I understand the sentiment. But we gotta go with what we got. And if it's true... * Griff_Khalil closes his eyes slightly. "Regardless, we at least know if Valmont personally is there, then we should stop him." * Lukas gestures absently into the air. "Not quite what I mean." * Herman rubs at his eyes with one hand. "Source of England's magic," he mutters. 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Herman (2d8) and gets a natural 11 for a result of 11. Why does England have a source of magic? Do other places have one too? That seems kind of a vulnerable thing to me. 2d8+2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Togo (2d8+2) and gets a natural 13 for a result of 15. 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Herman (2d8-2) and gets a natural 13 for a result of 11. (Dammit, the ONE thing I'm supposed to know... ;P) (Snerk.) Shit, feel like I should know this... * Herman sighs and dials his father. * Lukas says, "Alys, you might as well ask why people have hearts or some shit." Beat. "I'd guess." If whoever you're calling doesn't know, I can make some calls. People are just vulnerable in general, though. I mean, we're squishy. Dad, this is Herman. We've got an emergency that involves hundreds of demons. You know where the 'source of England's magic' is? What makes a country so different? * Alys pokes her arm several times to demonstrate squishiness. Well, countries aren't squishy, they're large and made out of land and books and various types of wildlife. * Togo pulls out the case with the two remaining bullets for the Ace of Winchesters, and makes sure he remembers which is which. * Griff_Khalil looks at Alys. "No. No they are not." They are. The *land* of the country, perhaps. But the actual imaginary division is decided by people. And those divisions are shifting all the time. Yeah, but England is sort of island-like, so we're divided from the continent anyway. England also has a long, long history of magic. By people. * Herman taps a finger against the telephone stand and looks at the conversational folks. Alright. I will grant you that countries may perhaps be squishy. But islands aren't! The land, too. Lotsa natural sources of magic. Nexuses and portals and cracks in the fabric of reality. * Ashley floats back from the kitchen with a six pack. "Who wants one?" * Togo pauses. "Which explains cricket, now that I think about it." That is not the country though. (The political scientist in me wants to start ranting about the difference between nations and states. =P) * Lukas rubs his temples, not responding. I want one badly, but if we're gonna be going back to work I really shouldn't. Hell attacked the Vatican for a chunk of rock. Do you know where that source is or not? Good summary, Herman. * Herman gives Khalil a thumbs up. Sounds like they are crazy. That or Sarah's lying. But look... We really don't have time here. * Togo shakes his head, pulls out his phone, and makes a call. Right. That was my first guess, but I wasn't sure. * Herman pauses, then says, "Thanks." * Togo hangs up once Herman sounds like he got a response. I'm already doing something stupid. Hundreds of demons, remember? * Herman checks the time. "Gotta call Sarah now. You're a lifesaver." * Herman hangs up, then dials Sarah's number. Hey, this is Herman. Where are you, and how are you guys holding up? * Togo pulls out his machine gun, and checks the springs in the ammo drum while he has a moment. * Herman winces a little. "Yeah, I heard. Getting medical help or something?" Yeah. They at least know where to go, right? * Lukas sighs slightly and runs his hand through his hair, before sitting down, pulling out his computer and checking on something. Yeah, I get it. Tell them it's Stonehenge. I'll call you after we get that thing back... uh, what's it look like? * Lukas clicky-clicky-clickies, frowns slightly. "Fantastic," he mutters. 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ten (2d8) and gets a natural 5 for a result of 5. * Herman furrows his brow. "Really. Okay." Hope we get there first. I'll see you later. Be careful over there. * Togo waits for Herman to hang up the phone. "Stonehenge?" Stonehenge. Anything else we need to know? * Herman speaks into the phone. "'Cause he wanted you to tell us." Pretty much. Anyway, gotta get there. Talk to you later, hopefully not possessed. * Togo frowns, and starts pulling small satchels out of his coat. We will. You be careful, too. * Herman hangs up now. "Time to walk into a trap." * Herman retrieves his pipe and raises his voice, "Done getting drunk yet, Ashley?" * Lukas rubs his temples and looks up. "Hope it doesn't take too long. Ten's still active, and they're still moving." Everyone take a satchel. In case there's lotsa demons. Dunno. I wanna get there at least ten minutes before Dante does. Someone grab Ashley. * Herman takes one of the satchels, slings it over his shoulder, and makes with the gateway teleportation. * Alys picks one up. "Wait, how is this helping against demons?" Satchel's useless. The half-dozen grenades inside are pretty handy. * Alys looks inside and grins. "I adore you. I've never gotten to use a grenade before." * Lukas eyes the satchels, then says, "Yeah, okay, and your people picking up the box are where, again?" * Griff_Khalil takes the satchel and looks at it, then glances back at the bedroom somewhat worried. "What if Naila wakes before we return? There will be no one here to explain..." * Herman finishes and opens the door a crack. "Then someone stay." * Ashley waves. "Hi." Write her a note, and make sure it says not to leave the room. Actually, Ashley might be best. If Dante's got something that eats up magic... Throw it AWAY from us, Alys. Give it at least thirty feet. *turns to Lukas* They're coming here. They'll let themselves in. *turns to Khalil* Leave a note. * Ashley looks up from his beer. "What's this I get to do?" We're gonna go fight demons and maybe kill Dante. You can bring beer. * Griff_Khalil snortles at Togo. "Yes. How useful." He frowns a little. "I do not like it..." Hey, if a few dozen demons decide to charge at us, what would you rather have? A satchel full of grenades, or a whip? * Herman opens the door all the way. "One way ticket to Stonehenge. Go if you're going." Hey, beer's a nice bonus. * Ashley floats on through. * Alys walks through. * Togo heads through. * Griff_Khalil starts writing a quick note then looks up. "Herman? Could you place this in the room?" Not that he can read it. It's in Arabic. You do it. I'm holding the door open. ...Herman. We put the wards in her room so SHE would not escape. What do you think they would do to me? They should still stop you from going through, I think. * Lukas finishes typing something into his computer quickly and then collapses it. "Oh, for chrissakes." He grabs the note and goes for the room to leave it for the girl. Sheesh! (Except not.) (Thought Alys already walked through?) (Because I left already. >.>) (Yes, that was rather the point.) * Griff_Khalil looks at Lukas, then at Herman. "Is he always so irritated?" Yes. * Griff_Khalil nods and goes through the portal. (What a stupid question.) Yes. (And why ask Herman?) (You're always there too.) (Apparently Lukas has never heard of a rhetorical question. ;P) (They answered. ^_~) (Yes, sometimes there should be validation in a rhetorical question. ^_~) [A few seconds later, you all walk out of the men's room in a small gift shop, much to the owner's surprise.] * Herman waves at the owner and walks right by and out, pipe over shoulder. Hey! Take a picture while it lasts. * Lukas blinks and then smirks. "Let's not." * Alys grins at the owner. "It's a lovely restroom." [The owner, an old lady, blinks and rubs her eyes.] Yes, grandma, group sex. * Ashley follows Herman. * Togo walks on by, wincing at Ashley's comment. * Lukas rolls his eyes. "You keep projecting your fantasies, man..." Projecting? Oh Christ. * Griff_Khalil glances at Ashley for a moment. Apparently, Ashley is admitting to being a furry. * Ashley looks back at Khalil and raises his eyebrows appraisingly. (... dude, he's a _fae_. Shboinking the fuzzy is not a new sensation.) (XD) * Herman is outside! And heading for Stonehenge. * Griff_Khalil looks away quickly and lets out a slight cough/growl. * Ashley starts whistling. And gooses Alys while he's at it. [You exit! Stonehenge is visible against the setting sun up on the hill. You can follow a dirt path right up to it. Isn't that exciting?] 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ten (2d8) and gets a natural 3 for a result of 3. Eep! * Griff_Khalil exits and cups his palm at his brow before following Herman. * Herman goes at a half-run! And watches out for Demons, Dante, and other things that might not start with D. * Alys turns around and smacks Ashley's hand, then starts jogging after Herman. * Ashley shakes his hand a little, but is grinning. (Cham is officially too sleepy to live. He could not think of the words 'shake his hand'.) * Togo gets his machine gun out once they're a decent distance from the gift shop, and starts looking for places to take cover. (I WORK LIKE A DOG EVERY GODDAMN DAY) * Griff_Khalil glances back at the shriek and slap then settles his eyes on Ashley. (Who did and did not take satchels?) (I did!) (Yeah, sure, I was gonna suicide, this is nothin'.) * Lukas pulls his pistol and joins the rush. * Ashley grins at Khalil again. [Unfortunately for Togo, there's virtually nowhere to take cover.] () * Griff_Khalil lets off a low lion growl at him then turns back and starts picking up the pace towards Stonehenge. * Ashley whistles and trots along Goddamn treeless English plains... okay. Khalil, can you get up on top of one of the big stones and play lookout. If Dante brings a buncha friends, we need as much warning as possible. (Togo you moron, he can FLY) And if they are already in the middle of the circle? [Valmont and co. don't seem to be there yet. That's pretty good news, eh?] * Herman lets out a breath once he gets there. He immediately removes his backpack and starts fishing around in it. "Okay, here's the deal." * Griff_Khalil turns and listens to Herman first. He's the one who knows what he's talking about. I'm gonna put a magic circle around Stonehenge. If he can't get in, hopefully he can't get the magic... and hopefully, the magic will just make my circle stronger. * Herman pulls out a large bag, followed by a jar, followed by a package of chalk. "Dante's got some thing that looks like a remote control. We *need* it, but if you're in the circle, you can't get out." * Griff_Khalil nods. "How far will it extend? Vertically too." Great. Can you cast magic through the barrier? 'bout ten meters. No. I'm gonna be focused on keeping it up. Can anyone? Can Ashley stay in there and still affect stuff outside? Not much of a spread then. But it will have to do. * Herman picks up the jar, pops the cork, and starts pacing around Stonehenge proper, pouring powder carefully so it's an unbroken circle. "Nope." So who's gonna fight the hordes of hell? 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ten (2d8) and gets a natural 15 for a result of 15. * Herman chuckles a little. "Hope they don't get through." * Griff_Khalil sighs. "And what is to stop them from simply waiting us out?" Because demon hordes aren't known for their patience. I can wait all day and night if I have to. With luck and the magic here, I can wait fucking *years*. 2d8-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ten (2d8-5) and gets a natural 11 for a result of 6. And? You believe they will simply give up and walk away? 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ten (2d8) and gets a natural 8 for a result of 8. * Herman keeps going. For the record, his circle's coming out at about twenty meters in diameter, and it doesn't cover all of Stonehenge at *all*... but it certainly does take over the center of it. We can't wait. We have to get that damn not-a-remote. ...I'd rather not wait years. Seriously. Isn't that half the damn point? 's what I told you guys. I'm just stopping them from grabbing the magic for whatever reasons. * Griff_Khalil nods. "So most of us need to stay outside the circle." * Griff_Khalil sighs. "If there were a place we could wait while they distract themselves with the barrier and ambush..." If they don't come, they don't come. If they come, Khalil, we need you to give us as much of a warning as possible. Farther away you spot them, more time we have to whittle them down before they get to us. Dunno which way they'll come from. * Griff_Khalil then stops and glances at Ashley. * Herman tosses the empty bottle away, grabs his bag, and works on completing the circle. * Ashley looks at Kahlil. "What?" * Griff_Khalil then rubs his brow and looks down. "I know, Togo. I know. Ashley, do you think you could set up something so we could ambush demons?" We gotta assume they'll be coming with numbers. Classic human... well, demon wave tactic. Throw numbers at us, hope we can't fire fast enough to stop them all before they overrun our positions. Grenades and that spread-shot bullet I got give us a chance, but we gotta do it right. * Griff_Khalil then looks at Togo. "Any extra satchels? Me being aerial, I think I might get the best use out of them." Unless there are also aerial demons. Which is all very likely. * Togo pulls out a bandolier of grenades, and hands it to Khalil. "If you need more than that, we're fucked anyway." * Griff_Khalil chuckles. "Thank you for your vote of confidence." He then looks at Togo. "I realize that, but if they think it is only the *barrier* they have to batter down, they would be distracted by that. Then there would be a surprise advantage." Ambush demons, hm? Well, I can try. There's no guarantee it will fool them, though. It would not last long, but every extra little bit would be helpful. * Herman finishes the circle and checks for breaks, then grabs the chalk and starts inscribing runes in the ground at various points. "Been forever since I had to use this spell," he mutters. (We still have comm stuff?) (Never lost it.) (Beautiful.) * Griff_Khalil nods. "If there is anything else, let me know." He then flaps his wings hard and takes his position upward where he can get as good a view as possible of the surrounding area. * Ashley wiggles his fingers, and Khalil goes invisible! S'a good idea, actually. Making most of us invisible is kinda pointless, since we're gonna be lobbing grenades from range. Making Khalil invisible so he can scout and divebomb without being spotted... 2d8-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ten (2d8-4) and gets a natural 8 for a result of 4. * Alys bends over backwards. "So. Upside-down Stonehenge. Hm." She falls over and stands back up. Didn't work too good, Ward Girl? * Lukas gravitates outside the circle. "Fun times. They shoulda sent a soldier." (This should not come as a shock. I believe I in fact complain about the late starting time every week.) * Herman finishes that, checks his handiwork, and then starts on a large pentagram in the center. (HERMAN WORSHIPS THE DEVIL.) (Er, wait, no.) (I can call it a pentangle instead. Same dif. XD) (Pentastar?) It's, you know. Upside-down. I'm sure if I stayed like that long enough, the blood would rush to my head and I'd giggle a lot about it. (Yis.) (Pentathrust!) They did send a soldier. I've got medals and everything. Are they shiny? * Lukas replies, "I meant to replace me." * Griff_Khalil is a-lookin' for a-demons while a-stayin' a-hidden. * Herman comments as he keeps with the drawing, "You can sit in the circle with me, if you want." Extremely. And it'd take ten soldiers to replace the sheer power of your withering reparte, Volt. * Lukas smirks. "Touche." Beat. "Are you kidding, Herman? And miss the chance to nearly bleed to death again today? I wonder if I could keep going around the world, bleeding to death in new and exotic areas." Pretty much what you've been doing. Hey, everyone's got a purpose in life. It could be yours. D'explain a few things, that's for sure. ( Quote of the month ) * Herman adds a few designs around the pentangle and surveys his handiwork, nodding to himself; he's ended up making a very elaborate wizard's circle. 2d8-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ten (2d8-5) and gets a natural 3 for a result of -2. Make sure you're on the right side. (Go Ten Go!) ("Join Mystery Club! Visit exotic lands. Meet interesting foreign natives and bleed on them.") 2d8-6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Griff_Khalil (2d8-6) and gets a natural 6 for a result of 0. * Herman steps into the center of the pentagram and sits Indian style, setting his pipe down so it rests across his knees. He takes a deep breath and starts chanting, hard, guttural syllables leaving his lips followed by the occasional Latin word. The powder changes from white to a dark green and begins to glow softly, even as the runes and pentagram burn a bright white. * Jenn is now known as Bucher * Herman keeps going; the chanting only takes a minute or so, and as he yells the final word, a deep green sphere flickers into existence, fading into white in the very center. It stays for half a moment, then vanishes, though the glowing circle, runes, and pentagram stay as they are. "Done," Herman reports, a bit pleased. [Alright. It's pretty obvious this is over, so.] [Session End >.>]