Plotlogs
The Pied Pire Yellowstone Sr Alexandra 240307
In the small, tranquil community of Cora, Wyoming, a group of individuals arrives to confront a sinister presence, the Pied 'Pire, responsible for abducting children. The team, consisting of Alexander, Miles, Viktorin, and Ryan, embarks on this mission amidst the desolate beauty of Cora, drawn by a recent incident involving the supernatural disappearance of a child. Determined, they split into teams and delve into the heart of the mystery: the haunting Westfall Cemetery, accessible only by breaking through its locked gates.
As dusk gives way to the enveloping night, the cemetery transforms into a landscape of unspeakable terror within the realm of a nightmare. Amidst eerie whispers and the chill of an otherworldly presence, the group encounters a seven-year-old girl, guided by an unseen force towards a sinister fate at a grave marker. The mild temperature of the evening drops suddenly, heightening the group's sense of impending doom.
Alexander, seizing a moment of clarity amidst the chaos, valiantly commands the lurking entity to halt, battling the malevolence with sheer will and invoking the sacred grounds' latent powers. Simultaneously, Ryan, driven by a blend of courage and desperation, attempts to rescue the girl, whose sudden screams pierce the night, adding to the tumult. His actions, though rash, reflect a poignant determination to save an innocent soul from the clutches of darkness. Miles and Viktorin, caught in the grip of horrifying visions inflicted by the malevolent sphere, grapple with their fears made manifest, embodying a struggle against both the physical and the psychological threats posed by their foe.
In an intense confrontation, the entity's dark orb, a nexus of its malevolent power, begins to falter under the combined resistance of the group. Alexander's incantations and the group's collective defiance serve to weaken the entity's hold on reality. As the orb dissipates, the immediate threat fades, leaving the night silent once more, save for the girl's lingering cries.
The aftermath sees the group, battered yet unbroken, ensuring the girl's safe return to her guardians. The encounter at Westfall Cemetery stands as a testament to the group's resilience and unity in the face of an eldritch adversary. Though the Pied 'Pire's menace remains at large, the protection afforded to one child on this fateful night sparks a glimmer of hope. With the ordeal behind them, the group retreats to Haven, carrying with them the weight of their experience and the resolve to continue their vigilant stand against the darkness that preys upon the innocent. Their journey is far from over, but their actions in Cora, Wyoming, have proven their mettle and the undeniable power of solidarity in combating the shadows that lurk in the corners of the world.
(The Pied 'Pire: Yellowstone(SRAlexandra):SRAlexandra)
[Wed Mar 6 2024]
On Cora, Wyoming
Cora, Wyoming, nestled in Sublette County, is a tranquil rural community defined by its rugged western landscapes and small-town charm. With a population of around 142, Cora exudes a sense of tight-knit community where neighbors know each other by name. Surrounded by picturesque mountains and vast plains, Cora offers outdoor enthusiasts ample opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife spotting in nearby Bridger-Teton National Forest. The town's rustic appeal is accentuated by its quaint buildings, including a general store and a few local eateries serving hearty western fare. Cora's peaceful atmosphere and scenic vistas make it a haven for those seeking solace in nature or simply wishing to experience the authentic essence of Wyoming's frontier spirit.
It is after dusk, about 42F(5C) degrees, There is a waning crescent moon.
emote Regardless of method used to reach Cora, Wyoming, the group eventually finds themselves in the center of town. If it can be called that. The nearby United States Post Office building seems to be the biggest attraction in this place, and it has already started to close down. The team is on the tiny road known as Noble Road running east and west in front of said Post Office. To the west, highway 352 runs north and south. There is only one cemetery in Cora, and it is a few miles up the highway on McArnis Mountain View Road.
The surroundings are bleak and desolate, wintry and cold. The skies are partially cloudy, but they hold almost no threat of precipitation. Occasional howls from coyotes herald the coming night, and very little traffic happens down Noble, despite it being a main road in the town. Even the highway only has a car every ten to twenty minutes. If the group has not imagined tumbleweeds rolling through town, it is only because it is too cold for tumbleweeds to unstick from the ground where they formed.
[OOCWelcome to The Pied 'Pire: Yellowstone. If you have any questions, feel free to use STalk or replies via Tells. Please make use of the Think, Internal, Feel, Recall, and Attempt commands on this adventure. These will greatly enhance your experience and immersion, while also speeding things up for others. I try to do one post per person rotations, but if you want to do short bursts of rapid banter in appropriate situations, feel free. Text that is all colored in this color will be private, for you to act upon ICly. Buckle up, and we will begin shortly. Thank you for letting me be your SR for this evening's festivities.]
Alexander is pretty sure they had a road trip. Because what better way is for a bunch of dudes investigating trouble to bond than in a long ass car trip all the way to Cora, Wyoming. However, since the Order would pay, a flight could have been done, he GUESSES.
Miles had always wanted to visit Yellowstone, and appreciate the natural beauty of the national park located about there. That's one thing America has always had going for it, really. It's biomes. Unfortunately, the deputy isn't here for a sight-seeing, or a holiday. It's business.
There's a lingering sort of pressure in his inner ear from the pathing he'd purchased from a wandering hedgewizard of sorts, clearly the low price was indicative of the quality of his magic. He tries to trigger a yawn to pop his ear, and ends up standing in the street going, "Mwap, mwap.", until he might notice some of the other folks from Haven.
Viktorin already begins pestering the group, lagging behind on purpose. His lips curved into a smile, he asks repeatedly, like a hopped up kid on candy, "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" Still, the man seems ready for business, decked out in his trademark black kevlar vest with a runic design on the back, his M1-9 Rifle, probably not exactly the safest thing to tote around, along with his dagger, strapped to his fore-arm like some Rambo wannabe. And of course, he still mucked up and wearing his gym clothes, dirt flung up on his face, mud coating his track pants, as if he slogged through a 5k run through a mud-bog. Slinking forward, he gazes at the post-office, and waves at the uncommon passing car, giving a friendly wave at each one. "Ryan, did you bring the beers," he asks towards Ryan, as if this was a question he posed earlier, despite the unlikelihood of this actually being a question he posed.
The road trip was made rather quickly, a little helping from some magic and they all show up in a rental car, an umarked white van at the ready. Ryan pulls up in it, looking around as he has his gear in the back in a duffel bag. "We all make it here?" he parks the car and upnods to Alexander, Tan, and Vik. "Yeah, I got some beers in the back of the van, hopefully we can keep them cold while we figure this all out. Also a bag of candy back there because we're fishing for kids." he furrows his brow, shaking his head as he says, "Not in that way, we're trying to keep them away from this...terrible demon thing, and I thought candy may help."
Alexander nods to Ryan. He's been quiet for most of the trip, entertaining Viktorin where he can but he has a kind of somber energy. Researching perhaps or, just trying to steady his nerves. A bottle of water, or two, and some trail mix has been his go to. He gazes at Ryan. "..." And then shakes his head.
Miles's own equipment is perhaps a little less apparent on the man. His vest has been slipped beneath his shirt, and his rifle and baton rest inside a long, padded bag made for storing telescopes. Surely it's not that unusual for folks to want to appreciate the natural beauty of the place through a series of glass lenses, no? Upon noticing the rental vehicle rented by the Order folk, or more accurately he recognizes the people inside, Miles wanders over towards it, and them, squinting a little at each in turn. There's a glance at Ryan's arm, and a flicker of recognition in his expression, "Must be the Captain's other half, Ryan, yeah?" The question is nearly rhetorical in how sure the man sounds about this, "Miles." He offers his own name, "Alright, Vik? Alexander?"
"The Captain? You mean Alexandra? Yeah, she's my beautiful wife." Ryan says with a big grin to Miles, "Look, you all have to get me back from this alive, or she's going to raise me from the dead just to kill me again." he thumbs towards the back as he says, "You're a deputy or something, right? You following up on the HSD tips that we got back in Haven?"
The occasional motorist gives Viktorin an odd look, but not because of his arms or armor. Given Wyoming is an Open Carry state, the firearms draw very little attention beyond admiration. Nope, in this case, it is likely the fact that he is a stranger in a town with a literal population of 142. Still, no one stops and gives them any fuss. No cops are called on them or anything. The van can probably make a pretty quick trip to the cemetery, if they are intent on that. But they could also end up going almost anywhere else in town. As few places as that might actually include.
The sun is getting lower in the sky, casting shades of gold and red across the landscape. If not for the fact the Boyz were collectively here on some serious supernatural shenanigans, it would be quite beautiful to watch the landscape without any smog, noise, or even many people around as the case might be. The place is perfect for hiking, fishing, or hunting, though hunting seasons are undoubtedly over by this time, with spring right around the corner.
[OOC: This is probably about the time everyone might want to discuss next moves and decide what if anything they might be doing in order to catch, hinder, capture, kill the child-snatching villain, or whatever else they might decide to do with that particular individual.]
Alexander nods to Miles, offering a half wave. Surely this has been arranged at least a bit. He nods gently in confirmation of his question to Ryan. The offers a 'Yep' when it's his turn. He pivots to look about the town, and motions for the others to, well, keep it down and or be cool. "We don't wanna spook whoever is doing this," he notes. "Gameplan, my recommendation, is to get off the streets, get a base of operations and decide our next move with less eyes."
"Whelp. Game time now, yeah?" the young Orderite asks, flipping his lips into a winsome grin. He has tried to steady Alexander's energy the entire trip. Tried to encourage him. Just as he tries now, with everyone present. "We got this in the bag. Only dubs for us, guys," he lies. His words ring a bit too cheery, as if forced. "What's up first? Looking for where the kid was snatched? The cemeteries? Watering holes? Surely someone might be speaking about something they've seen..." He bobs his head, as if assessing the options he can think of. There is, however, a grateful nod afforded to Ryan as he mentions beer. And Viktorin shrugs towards Miles's look, seemingly indifferent and nonchalant.
Pulling up his phone, Ryan taps on it, looking around the GPS map for anything, "Probably can find a campground or somewhere to park the van and not look too suspicious. Remember this is small town rules, they don't know us here, so they're gonna be spooked by anything we do. Even a town as small as Haven is still a big city to them. Give them some room, don't all go at once. Who's the most country out of all of us? Did anyone bring any boots?"
"That's exactly what I mean, yeah." Miles extends back to Ryan with a quirk of the lips, adjusting the bag slung over his shoulder with a roll, before flicking a glance up and down the street. "Though, to be frank, I didn't really hear much. I imagine most of the details were left in the hands of the Order." The question of boots has Miles glance down at his choice of footwear- brogues, and then shake his head slowly. He's dressed for day drinking while investigating shady business, not wandering around the wilds. Probably should've put more thought into his fit.
"There were seven kids taken, released by Sanctuary eventually, but they were all taken at age seven, pretty interesting numbers, yeah? And in the month of their birthday, so anyone have a birthday this month?" Ryan asks, "I'm born in May."
Alexander says "Why would we be targetted? It's small town, there can't be more than a couple kids who fit the MO. We should pull census data."
Viktorin awkwardly murmurs to Ryan, "Uh. Mine is the twelfth. Of this month." There is a nod of agreement towards Alexander, and he snorts, "Hey, maybe if I like... duck down, and duck-walk everywhere, I'd look like a kid or something."
"Unfortunately, I'm not seven, and August." Miles answers in turn, clicking his tongue softly. "This is a good hop, skip and a jump away from Haven, isn't it? Wonder if they plucked this place empty of their preferred taste in victims before moving on?"
Given the modus operandi for the villain in question, the group is unlikely to encounter them before it is actually dark. For those that do not remember, this particular villain lures the targets to a cemetery, where they then disappear and are never seen again, except for those in Haven, because Sanctuary. The targets are all seven years old and taken in the month they were born. Ryan and Alexander had an encounter with the individual in question, but not directly.
As the sun sinks lower, a looming shadow weighs on the Boyz. If they don't get moving and setup, they might miss their chance to get this particular predator. The nearest (and only) cemetery in Cora is only a few miles down the road, less than five minutes away by van. Current intel indicates there is a seven year old born in March in the population of Cora. So it is certainly possible that this place could be the next place the bad guy could pop up.
Alexander twitches uneasily at Miles suggestion. "Then the newspaper'll cover it, or we'll find out the second we hit a public place. Stuff like that is going to be obvious. But if kids were missing, then we'd already be mobbed by local PD I suspect. Let's hit the graveyard first. Doubt it sees much usual traffic."
"Well, maybe roll up your pants legs and comb your hair back. You could maybe pass for twelve, kiddo." Ryan says with a smirk as he shoots Viktorin with finger guns. "We can head over to the Cemetary and see what's over there, maybe check a few playgrounds on the way, but don't look too creepy, don't want to get the cops called on us for being an unmarked white van with candy and four adult men. Come on now, big smiles, don't look creepy."
"Maybe one of us can dip out for coffee for the stakeout, rub some elbows with the locals and see if there's any news on the ground from the locals." Ryan asks.
Alexander nods. "PD likes the smell of bacon even out of town. Miles could go hit the town. Maybe one other. The others should keep an eye on the graveyard and run interference."
"Oh good call. You got a badge, Miles?" Ryan asks as he thumbs over towards him, "I'm the best looking among us, so I can pick up the coffee."
"I'd suggest not myself or Vikky here, on that note." Miles opines in response to Ryan's final suggestion, "We aren't local, and if there's anything I can presume about small town Americana it's that they don't like foreign folk. Especally the Czech, no doubt." He raises a hand to rub at his jawline, "I can have a chat with the cops at some time, but I wouldn't expect more than a cold shoulder. Badge or not, they get territorial."
Miles taps his pretty little badge in response to Ryan's question.
Viktorin nods easily and grunts, "Great way to set up a vantage point." His eyes flicker over towards Miles, Ryan, and Alexander, a slight shiver running down his spine. As the decision is made, he blinks at their defacto armless leader. "Dude... why did you have to choose a white-van? Like, why couldn't we go for like, a rainbow color or some shit?" he asks, squinting. He also adds further, "And... why... why do we have candy? We're going to get fucking arrested before we nab the dude." He gives a nod towards the writer of the group, admitting, "I can always run interference. Or really, run in general. I'm fast like that, you know? Not as fast as Ryan though."
Rental van happens to be white because that was what was available. Or as part of the white supremacy and patriarchy plans that Ryan is so obviously involved in. Either way, getting coffee does not take long, but only because the little diner nearby probably exudes some white supremacy vibes anyways. Before long, the coffee is in the van with fairly little fuss. No mentions are made of any children missing or any BOLOs or manhunts or anything of that nature. The town seems as quiet and serene as one would expect for being in the middle of nowhere just outside of a national park.
Cora does not have a police department at all, let alone a building for it. A nearby sheriff's department covers the police needs of Cora, which means even if someone had called about the Boyz in the van with the candy and guns, the nearest response is forty-five minutes away, at best. And probably way more than that, given the only reason they would need to come to Cora is to break up a bar fight.
Alexander stuffs his hand in his pockets. "We're going to the graveyard first and foremost. Set up there and make a plan, let's go," he says impatiently.
Getting back in the van with Coffees for everyone, Ryan shrugs as he looks over at them, distributing out the cups to the cupholders and hands, "No dice on the coffee. I gave my winningest smile and they're all tight lipped about it. Graveyard or Sheriffs are probably the next best place for intel, but as Miles says, they're probably gonna stonewall us there, too."
Viktorin nods affirmatively to Alexander, "Yeah, let's not wait too long. I hate waiting. And clearly this guy's not gonna wait. If they're gonna snatch anything tonight though, they're gonna be snatching these hands. With their face." Taking a glance towards Ryan, he shrugs and takes the cup, sipping on it. "Let's go, let's go, let's go." Probably not the most polite thanks ever made. But hey, he does give a nod of appreciation afterwards, immediately sipping it before crying aloud, "Ow... hot. Ow... hot."
"Cheers, mate. Shame about that, really. Don't take it personally. I would've swooned." Miles comments aside to Ryan as he accepts his own hot bean water. Black. One sugar. No milk. Milk is for closers. There's a peer toward Ryan to see if the man ruins his coffee in much the same manner as his wife does. "I'm not saying we shouldn't, but is there any particular reason you're keen for the graveyard?" The deputy queries of Alexander then.
Alexander says "S'where it happened last time..."
"Way to burn yourself, asshole." Ryan murmurs to Viktorin as he starts up the car and idles it while they talk, keeping the heat on, "All the sugars and milk in this one." he states as he drinks his own barely coffee and nods to Alexander, "To the Graveyard it is, then?"
Getting to Westfall Cemetery takes literally four minutes once the van gets started moving. Even missing the road, because it is a dirt road they need to turn off onto, does not cause that big of a delay, because of a quick U-turn in the middle of the highway. No cars are even in sight for the duration of the U-turn.
The sun has fully set by the time the Boyz arrive at the cemetery. The gate is closed and barred, but there is an area where they can park. Some spots even have some tree cover from the entrance of gate.
[OOC: And with that, we can move to the room to the north to continue onto the next leg of the story!]
Alexander grows more grim as the day proceeds, as they find themselves at the Westfall Cemetery. He hasn't really enjoyed himself thus far and that's an obvious kind of energy the further the day progresses. "Anyone wanna get that gate open?" he poses to the group. He pulls himself out of the vand and checks himself, handgun holstered, knife in its own on the otherside. His jacket lingers nearby with other tools of his craft.
He takes in the sight of this place and feels a chill run down his spine. Whether honest or supernatural, his eyes flicker across the shadows. "This place is fucked," he mutters under his breath.
"Oh shit." Ryan murmurs as they drive up to the cemetary, "Could have fooled me that this was a nice little small town. That shit is straight medieval in there." he glances to Miles as he says, "Well, I guess we'll have the cop go first, right? Just in case there's anyone to shoot, you have coverage."
Viktorin immediately protests Ryan on the ride to the cemetery, growling, "I am -not- an asshole. I'm like the nicest guy ever. Totally." A small nod is given to assert the Czech's claims, and he peers towards his one armed comrade, squinting all the while. "Thank you for the Coffee, dick-bean." His eyes, however are drawn over to the cemetery. Like a moth to the flame. Strangely the Orderite seemed both unsettled and attracted to the sight, murmuring a softly spoken, "Whoa." His lips twist and curve, helplessly flitting between a lop-sided smile and a frown, as if indecision weighed heavily on their mind. "I dunno... I kinda like it... it has my stamp of approval." Immediately, however, he heeds Alexander's query with an eager nod of his head, opening the sliding side door to the van just to pool out with his coffee sloshing around, slopping on to the ground as he stumbles and slips towards the gate. However, he doesn't appear to enjoy the occasional howl, cringing each time, with anger and fear stiffening his back. "Fuck dogs. Fuck them."
The howls in particular seem to unsettle Miles, who raises a hand to massage at a quiet ache in his left shoulder. "Yeah, that makes sense." He admits aside to Ryan, though doesn't sound particularly pleased about it. There's a little 'hup' as he jumps out of the van after Alexander, and clears his throat. The coffee is considered, and then thrown back as Miles guzzles it down, and tosses the empty vessel back into the van. It definitely burned a bit.
After some mild consideration the deputy slips the telescope back from his shoulder, unzips it, and plucks out his telescope. It's a rifle. The bag is slipped back against his frame, and his rifle remains in his left hand as he wanders over closer toward the gate.
Despite the comments about Miles opening the gate, it is actually Viktorin that gets to it first. And with a showing of muscular testosterone, he manages to wrench the gate open, breaking the lock in the process. Not that it was much of a lock to begin with, mostly there as decoration and slight deterrent for would be grave robbers. Not that Cora has a bunch of those visiting, but it is more of the gesture to create the illusion of security than anything else. With the gate popped open, anyone that wants to venture properly into the graveyard may. Those that do not want to may stay with the van.
[OOC: Please Join whichever place you would like to be: Van, Graveyard, or any other place you want to setup. Try to keep the naming simple for me to join. I'll be able to see anything you Subtle there, so feel free to use that for what the others may not be able to see happening]
Alexander moves to explore the graveyard. He's stepping away, not out of sight, or at least intentionally. He's scouring the grounds, carefully, watchful. He's clearly on edge as dark settles in.
Sliding out of his side of the car, Ryan puts his weapons together and glances to the other guys, hefting his staff as he checks his rifle. "Okay, so who has spooky skills? I got a book on some rituals, but I'm no expert on it." he looks over at Miles and says, "You want to go in groups of two? One side of the 'yard and us on watch here in the car?"
Alexander says "I am capable of rituals but not quickly."
With Viktorin leading the charge, and tearing through that barrier, Miles allows himself to slow in his steps, pausing for several seconds to get more accustomed with the area that they find themselves in. He fetches a flashlight from his jacket, twisting the neck of the thing to cause it to splutter into life. "I've got a flashlight." The fellow remarks back to Ryan with a little upward tick of the corner of his mouth, as if it answered whether or not he possessed any abilities that might be considered spooky. "I just thought we might have a quick squizz.."
"Ah fuck." Ryan murmurs quietly to Miles as he looks around, "I felt like I was being watched back in Haven at the graveyard, me and Alexander. Feeling the same creepy heebie jeebies here. You feel that? Like your hair standing on end?"
Viktorin slowly lowers himself after he wrenches the gate open. It probably wasn't the most stealthy entrance, but seemingly for the Czech, it would do. Slowly, ever so slowly, he glides forward, like a cat. His heels always reach the ground first, his hand moving towards his rifle slipping it off his shoulder, winding the strap around his arm to stabilize it. With his other hand, it immediately slams towards his dagger, loping it out, and with his ensemble nearly ready, he rests his rifle's fore-grip on his fore-arm. Not exactly the best stabilization ever, but it also seemed acceptable to the man. He stealthily creeps forward, raising his rifle. Sightless. Just iron-sights. His fingers slip upward to rack the bolt, bypassing the trigger. Behind him, he murmurs in a hushed tone towards Ryan, "Dunno rituals. I only know how to break shit and how to shoot shit. And how to interrogate creepy fucks." And then he continues, a shiver lining down his spine. "Hey Alex. Let's stick close. I'll watch the left, you watch the right, yeah?" he murmurs, towards Alexander. He gives a small nod towards Ryan, smiling at their own weapons. "I've got night-vision like a cat. Not good night-vision, but good enough."
"..I feel that." Miles responds back to Ryan, and there's some mild relief that the feeling is shared. At least they're in this together. His flashlight sweeps this way and that for several seconds longer, before he turns to more fully face the other man. "You didn't happen to bring along a thermos of mandrake tea by any chance?"
"I got some wolfsbane?" Ryan replies as he shrugs, "Didn't think we'd be fighting stuff in the nightmare, so maybe I'm unprepared, and that stuff tastes like ass."
As the Boyz split into two teams to cover more area, they all feel like they are being watched. The songs of coyotes howling in the distance serenade the team of would be predator prevention specialists. The sun going down completely blankets the graveyard entirely in darkness, and mist starts to coil up around everyone's feet. It was cold when the sun was up, but now it is freezing out here. Everyone can see their breath in the air when they exhale little clouds of vapor. Leaves crunch beneath feet as Alexander and Viktorin move through the grave yard, all but echoing in their ears even as they try to proceed quietly.
Outside the grave yard, near the van, Miles and Ryan are chilling and listening, looking around for the source of the creepy feeling tickling at the back of their necks. When Miles shines the light up the road a bit, he hits something and doubles back, only to see a seven year old girl walking down the dirt road toward the grave yard. Her eyes are basically closed, so those are not visible yet. She is a little blond thing in pajamas though, and in her left hand, she is holding a teddy bear.
Ryan whispers to Miles, "Yo, pull your badge out. If the locals are watching it'll look legit. Blah blah missing persons...uh..." he cranes his neck to see if anyone is watching, "We look sus as fuck if we take this kid into this van, but I don't think this spooky shadow voice thing is going to try and take her if we're all guarding. You take point on the little girl, they love cops, paw patrol and shit."
"Here, use the candy. That'll work. Kids fucking love candy." Ryan adds.
Alexander steps slowly, cautious, then pivots. One step, then another. He twists about. "...I'm going to step into the nightmare," he announces.""
Thankfully Miles practices some trigger discipline, and self-control in general, so he manages to stop himself from drawing a weapon upon the sight of the little girl. Kids in the mist? That's creepy as hell, man. He adjusts his grip on the flashlight, shifting it to his left hand, along with his badge while accepting the candy. There's a mild squint afforded to Ryan at the suggestion, before he takes a few steps closer.
"Alright there, young lady?" The deputy calls out, ensuring he isn't blinding her with the flashlight, "I'm Miles Hull. Deputy Miles Hull. Are you okay?" He doesn't offer the candy just yet, though he takes measured steps closer to her.
Viktorin snorts in amusement at Ryan, helplessly shaking his head. "I swear. We're the goofiest motherfuckers there are." He keeps himself close to Alexander, wandering along within him, though he seems to be whispering quietly to them about something, somewhat frustratedly.
Sticking to the shadows by the van, Ryan raises his rifle, scanning around the area as he watches Miles talk to the kid.
Alexander says "There's something here."
Alexander says to Vik, gazing over.
Viktorin nods, "Let's head in on three then. You start the count."
Viktorin mutters, "Wait... where's there a fucking mirror?"
Ryan taps on the mirror of the van, the rearview one as he motions to Viktorin.
Alexander says "Don't need a mirror to enter, just to leave. No?"
Alexander nods and slips sideways into the nightmare, gripping his charm tight. They have to find this thing. On "Go".
Near the van, the little girl does not even seem like she heard Miles talk to her. She wobbles a little as she walks, from side to side, but continues on toward the gate, like she knows exactly where she is going by the feel of the ground beneath her feet. Even the lure of candy is not enough to bring her out of her sleep walking trance. Outside the graveyard, near the van, standard level creepiness remains, with the girl wobbling toward the gate. She is at the threshold of the gate, about to step into the graveyard.
Inside the graveyard, Alexander and Viktorin slip into the Nightmare. In the creepy assed graveyard in the middle of nowhere. Hind sight being 20/20, that might not have been the best move. If the graveyard was spooky before, it becomes a place of unspeakable terror that defies the boundaries of the living and the dead. The gates creak and rattle as an unfelt breeze jostles them. The tombstones have gotten larger and more menacing in form, some even having clawed arms and horns. The shadows come alive in this place and bow up and around the tombstones even more sinisterly with animated movement and even whispered howls of incomprehensible horror. Even the nearby mountain range looks foreboding and malicious in this new setting. The nightmare twists the graveyard into a terrible labyrinth of hedges, trees, and shrubs with things inside, looking out at Viktorin and Alexander malevolently. And then, the whispers begin, emanating up from the ground along with dull thuds against wood below the earth.
The girl ignores the man with his pretty accent, shiny badge and hand full of candy. Not ideal, but it could be worse. At least she hasn't started levitating, or spewing bile or anything of the sort. Children are creepy, after all. There's a little hum in the back of Miles's throat, before he glances aside to Ryan and offers a shrug, "She may not have heard me." The man reasons, not quite realizing that they've lost half their adventuring party already. I guess the Boyz are down to BO and YZ now.
With a gesture to indicate that he oughta cover him, Miles turns his attention from Ryan, and moves to approach and intercept the young girl now, "Hey there, Miss. You might not have heard me." He raises his voice a little more.
Viktorin grumbles, and says, "Fuck it, snapping thrice, falling back into his own shadow. And then he disappears. The theatrics with this guy."
Nodding to Miles as he raises his rifle, covering the Deputy as he stays hidden by the Van, Ryan murmurs to him, "Should we like...just grab her? Or uh...trip her up? She's about to get in there with all the weird creepy shit."
"I'm not going to trip a kid." Miles remarks back to Ryan with a mild huff of both amusement and surprise, though, should she not respond, he would at least lay a hand on her shoulder to stop her.
"Kids trip all the time on the playground." Ryan murmurs as he shrugs to Miles, "If some parents aren't watching their kid walk out the door, it's better to have a few bruises and bumps from falling then to be stolen by som Fae or Demon, right?"
[OOC: This may be a good time for everyone to take a 10 minute break. Call it an intermission. Be back at 9:15 Haven time, please!]
Despite the raised voice from Miles, the girl continues on into the graveyard. She heads straight for a very specific grave marker even: Keith E Anderson, 22 Jan 1923 -- 23 Jul 2010. The pair in the graveyard can see the little girl standing in front of a grave that looks like it is trying to eat her. On the physical plane, she just stops once she reaches it and lays down, cuddling her teddy bear to her chest in the cold and resumes sleeping as if nothing at all has gone awry.
All of the Boyz feel the temperature drop by a good three or four degrees as the girl settles down to sleep. There really is no discernible cause for this beyond the one supernatural thing that is heralded by a sudden temperature drop.
"Aah!" Ryan startles as he takes off running, jumping a little bit to keep his feet away from the hands as he makes a beeline for the girl, "Get the girl! Something's coming for her!" he jumps and stomps as he goes through the graveyard, "Damn hands trying to drag me down!"
"Stop!" There's a shout that cuts through the cold, and dim of the night as Miles yells at the figure behind the grave. Fortunately, perhaps, for it at least, while he's spent quite a few years in America he hasn't quite taken on the reflexive attitudes of the American police officers. While he raises his firearm toward the figure, while stomping forwards and toward the girl and it both, he doesn't fire just yet. It is not, after all, an acorn.
The light of his flashlight attempts to illuminate it further, as the tool is pressed against the base of the rifle by Miles's grip upon it. "Step away from the girl!"
Alexander looks like he's about to panic and scream but then Viktorin pulls him out of it. "No! STOP!" he shouts. He clenches his hand and shudders. "It's an illusion! Or...a dream! We've fallen for a trap!" he bellows.
Alexander can't help but let out a shrill scream.
Just as soon as the various visions of each of the Boyz had started, they also stop just as swiftly. Everyone is back in reality, be it the nightmare or the physical real world. But then an orb of inky black darkness forms at the eastern edge of the graveyard, moving toward the girl. It blocks out even the flashlight when it is shined that way, devouring it like a black hole. Everyone can see this orb, and it stops halfway between the edge and the girl, as if daring the Boyz to come into it to see what awaits them inside. Taunting laughter echoes out from inside the blackened sphere. But no one emerges from it. The girl is still sleeping peacefully in front of the tombstone for Mister Anderson.
Alexander steels himself and pivots to the orb. It comes out at once. Much ritual magic requires time, and preparation and words and commands. Alexander knows of two exceptions. It takes him a moment to stop scream, another to draw his breath, another to steel himself. He extends a hand out.
Alexander snaps the hand closed. "SPIRIT! I COMMAND YOU! STAY!" he bellows.
"Fuck it, I'm grabbing the kid, you all do something about Orbface McGee!" Ryan yells to the others as he reaches down to grab the girl in his arms and attempts to hightail it back to the van, "Candy or not, we have to get her back to her parents!"
There's that terrible tug of reality being pulled out from beneath Miles, as the illusion shifts and the awful devil he'd witness vanished. A near prayer of sorts escapes the man, under his breath. The threat had been imagined, or conjured, but the girl? She was very real, and she'd have very much been in the line of fire if he'd opened up on the beast. "Jesus christ.." Miles exhales further, twisting his flashlight and firearm upon the orb now. "Covering!" He calls toward Ryan, attempting to do just that again the.. floating ball.
One thing that never really gets mentioned in the movies: How loud modern firearms actually are. Even out in a graveyard and somewhat open spaces, the concussive noise from even a single shot fired is loud enough to wake the dead if it has even enough stopping power for a deer. This noise is also loud enough to actually wake up the little girl, who immediately starts screaming bloody murder, because she's in a scary, creepy graveyard at night, and has no idea why. The menacingly dark orb is unfazed by both the noise or the bullet that goes flying straight through it and chips a nearby tombstone.
The orb remains stationary after Alexander's shouted command. The laughing from within ceases, replaced with a thoughtful, "Huh?" Some faint struggling noises are audible from within the inky darkness, and then everyone gets hit with visions once more of various types of death that will overtake them: Miles drowning in an ocean of blood, Alexander standing in front of a speeding school bus as it honks on its way to flatten him, Viktorin having a building collapse on him, and Ryan being repeatedly stabbed by a phantom. The visions fade out moments after they finish, but for those brief seconds, they all but feel real.
Alexander lets out a gasp as the bus rushes towards him. His entire body clenches up and he screams, but then it fades and hot growl escapes his throat in its place. "Fuck!" He bellows. He extends his hand out, trying to summon upon the nature of this site to lash at the orb and press at it. "You piece of shit! I know what you are, COWARD! And I'm going to find you!"
Collapsing to the ground as he flails and attempts to defend himself from the immediate pain that wracks his body from repeated stabbings, Ryan curls up into a ball as his arms and legs try and shield his torso reflexively. He holds his ears as he hears the gunshot, crawling and scrambling after the pain starts to fade as he slows down, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself and his body that is still in shock from the phantom pain that became real as his whole body feels numb from the illusory sensations. He reaches for the girl to attempt and clamp his hand over her mouth and quiet her as he grapples with her to drag her off to the van very suspectly.
The rifle is dropped, left to swing about Miles's torso by it's strap as the man's eyes bulge, and he gasps for air. Both hands raise, scrambling at the air as if he were trying to climb his way to freedom - but obviously it doesn't work as he isn't actually under the water, or blood, really. There's a kicked up plume of dust as he crashes onto the ground, legs jerking and kicking until thankfully the illusion breaks and he sucks in a gasp of air, choking and coughing.
After the Boyz start recovering from the latest waves of spectral visions, the dark sphere starts to waver. Soon, it begins to fade out. After several moments, it disappears completely, and whatever was inside of it, from the vision of most of those present. Perhaps it spent its reserves and is no longer able to affect the mortal realms. The graveyard is still creepy, the little girl is still screaming, but has not figured out which direction she should run. There are a bunch of men around her behaving in very strange fashions. The dark orb disappearing goes completely unnoticed by her. She has some crazy loud pipes too, as she huddles against Mister Anderson's tombstone. And so it was that the Boyz managed to at least protect one potential target from the Pied 'Pire in Cora, Wyoming. At least for tonight. He could come back later, once he gets himself unbound from Alexander's ritual. The Boyz manage to get the girl and return her to her parents, though there is some curiosity about what all goes down. Eventually, they make a break for it and get away and head back to Haven. Not fully victorious, but victorious enough for one child on one night.
[OOC: That brings us to the end of this chapter in the Pied 'Pire series. If you all enjoyed it, let me know, and I will see about doing more. In the mean time, please stand by for some mechanical command stuff to finish off the Plot. Thanks for coming!]
As dusk gives way to the enveloping night, the cemetery transforms into a landscape of unspeakable terror within the realm of a nightmare. Amidst eerie whispers and the chill of an otherworldly presence, the group encounters a seven-year-old girl, guided by an unseen force towards a sinister fate at a grave marker. The mild temperature of the evening drops suddenly, heightening the group's sense of impending doom.
Alexander, seizing a moment of clarity amidst the chaos, valiantly commands the lurking entity to halt, battling the malevolence with sheer will and invoking the sacred grounds' latent powers. Simultaneously, Ryan, driven by a blend of courage and desperation, attempts to rescue the girl, whose sudden screams pierce the night, adding to the tumult. His actions, though rash, reflect a poignant determination to save an innocent soul from the clutches of darkness. Miles and Viktorin, caught in the grip of horrifying visions inflicted by the malevolent sphere, grapple with their fears made manifest, embodying a struggle against both the physical and the psychological threats posed by their foe.
In an intense confrontation, the entity's dark orb, a nexus of its malevolent power, begins to falter under the combined resistance of the group. Alexander's incantations and the group's collective defiance serve to weaken the entity's hold on reality. As the orb dissipates, the immediate threat fades, leaving the night silent once more, save for the girl's lingering cries.
The aftermath sees the group, battered yet unbroken, ensuring the girl's safe return to her guardians. The encounter at Westfall Cemetery stands as a testament to the group's resilience and unity in the face of an eldritch adversary. Though the Pied 'Pire's menace remains at large, the protection afforded to one child on this fateful night sparks a glimmer of hope. With the ordeal behind them, the group retreats to Haven, carrying with them the weight of their experience and the resolve to continue their vigilant stand against the darkness that preys upon the innocent. Their journey is far from over, but their actions in Cora, Wyoming, have proven their mettle and the undeniable power of solidarity in combating the shadows that lurk in the corners of the world.
(The Pied 'Pire: Yellowstone(SRAlexandra):SRAlexandra)
[Wed Mar 6 2024]
On Cora, Wyoming
Cora, Wyoming, nestled in Sublette County, is a tranquil rural community defined by its rugged western landscapes and small-town charm. With a population of around 142, Cora exudes a sense of tight-knit community where neighbors know each other by name. Surrounded by picturesque mountains and vast plains, Cora offers outdoor enthusiasts ample opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife spotting in nearby Bridger-Teton National Forest. The town's rustic appeal is accentuated by its quaint buildings, including a general store and a few local eateries serving hearty western fare. Cora's peaceful atmosphere and scenic vistas make it a haven for those seeking solace in nature or simply wishing to experience the authentic essence of Wyoming's frontier spirit.
It is after dusk, about 42F(5C) degrees, There is a waning crescent moon.
emote Regardless of method used to reach Cora, Wyoming, the group eventually finds themselves in the center of town. If it can be called that. The nearby United States Post Office building seems to be the biggest attraction in this place, and it has already started to close down. The team is on the tiny road known as Noble Road running east and west in front of said Post Office. To the west, highway 352 runs north and south. There is only one cemetery in Cora, and it is a few miles up the highway on McArnis Mountain View Road.
The surroundings are bleak and desolate, wintry and cold. The skies are partially cloudy, but they hold almost no threat of precipitation. Occasional howls from coyotes herald the coming night, and very little traffic happens down Noble, despite it being a main road in the town. Even the highway only has a car every ten to twenty minutes. If the group has not imagined tumbleweeds rolling through town, it is only because it is too cold for tumbleweeds to unstick from the ground where they formed.
[OOCWelcome to The Pied 'Pire: Yellowstone. If you have any questions, feel free to use STalk or replies via Tells. Please make use of the Think, Internal, Feel, Recall, and Attempt commands on this adventure. These will greatly enhance your experience and immersion, while also speeding things up for others. I try to do one post per person rotations, but if you want to do short bursts of rapid banter in appropriate situations, feel free. Text that is all colored in this color will be private, for you to act upon ICly. Buckle up, and we will begin shortly. Thank you for letting me be your SR for this evening's festivities.]
Alexander is pretty sure they had a road trip. Because what better way is for a bunch of dudes investigating trouble to bond than in a long ass car trip all the way to Cora, Wyoming. However, since the Order would pay, a flight could have been done, he GUESSES.
Miles had always wanted to visit Yellowstone, and appreciate the natural beauty of the national park located about there. That's one thing America has always had going for it, really. It's biomes. Unfortunately, the deputy isn't here for a sight-seeing, or a holiday. It's business.
There's a lingering sort of pressure in his inner ear from the pathing he'd purchased from a wandering hedgewizard of sorts, clearly the low price was indicative of the quality of his magic. He tries to trigger a yawn to pop his ear, and ends up standing in the street going, "Mwap, mwap.", until he might notice some of the other folks from Haven.
Viktorin already begins pestering the group, lagging behind on purpose. His lips curved into a smile, he asks repeatedly, like a hopped up kid on candy, "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" Still, the man seems ready for business, decked out in his trademark black kevlar vest with a runic design on the back, his M1-9 Rifle, probably not exactly the safest thing to tote around, along with his dagger, strapped to his fore-arm like some Rambo wannabe. And of course, he still mucked up and wearing his gym clothes, dirt flung up on his face, mud coating his track pants, as if he slogged through a 5k run through a mud-bog. Slinking forward, he gazes at the post-office, and waves at the uncommon passing car, giving a friendly wave at each one. "Ryan, did you bring the beers," he asks towards Ryan, as if this was a question he posed earlier, despite the unlikelihood of this actually being a question he posed.
The road trip was made rather quickly, a little helping from some magic and they all show up in a rental car, an umarked white van at the ready. Ryan pulls up in it, looking around as he has his gear in the back in a duffel bag. "We all make it here?" he parks the car and upnods to Alexander, Tan, and Vik. "Yeah, I got some beers in the back of the van, hopefully we can keep them cold while we figure this all out. Also a bag of candy back there because we're fishing for kids." he furrows his brow, shaking his head as he says, "Not in that way, we're trying to keep them away from this...terrible demon thing, and I thought candy may help."
Alexander nods to Ryan. He's been quiet for most of the trip, entertaining Viktorin where he can but he has a kind of somber energy. Researching perhaps or, just trying to steady his nerves. A bottle of water, or two, and some trail mix has been his go to. He gazes at Ryan. "..." And then shakes his head.
Miles's own equipment is perhaps a little less apparent on the man. His vest has been slipped beneath his shirt, and his rifle and baton rest inside a long, padded bag made for storing telescopes. Surely it's not that unusual for folks to want to appreciate the natural beauty of the place through a series of glass lenses, no? Upon noticing the rental vehicle rented by the Order folk, or more accurately he recognizes the people inside, Miles wanders over towards it, and them, squinting a little at each in turn. There's a glance at Ryan's arm, and a flicker of recognition in his expression, "Must be the Captain's other half, Ryan, yeah?" The question is nearly rhetorical in how sure the man sounds about this, "Miles." He offers his own name, "Alright, Vik? Alexander?"
"The Captain? You mean Alexandra? Yeah, she's my beautiful wife." Ryan says with a big grin to Miles, "Look, you all have to get me back from this alive, or she's going to raise me from the dead just to kill me again." he thumbs towards the back as he says, "You're a deputy or something, right? You following up on the HSD tips that we got back in Haven?"
The occasional motorist gives Viktorin an odd look, but not because of his arms or armor. Given Wyoming is an Open Carry state, the firearms draw very little attention beyond admiration. Nope, in this case, it is likely the fact that he is a stranger in a town with a literal population of 142. Still, no one stops and gives them any fuss. No cops are called on them or anything. The van can probably make a pretty quick trip to the cemetery, if they are intent on that. But they could also end up going almost anywhere else in town. As few places as that might actually include.
The sun is getting lower in the sky, casting shades of gold and red across the landscape. If not for the fact the Boyz were collectively here on some serious supernatural shenanigans, it would be quite beautiful to watch the landscape without any smog, noise, or even many people around as the case might be. The place is perfect for hiking, fishing, or hunting, though hunting seasons are undoubtedly over by this time, with spring right around the corner.
[OOC: This is probably about the time everyone might want to discuss next moves and decide what if anything they might be doing in order to catch, hinder, capture, kill the child-snatching villain, or whatever else they might decide to do with that particular individual.]
Alexander nods to Miles, offering a half wave. Surely this has been arranged at least a bit. He nods gently in confirmation of his question to Ryan. The offers a 'Yep' when it's his turn. He pivots to look about the town, and motions for the others to, well, keep it down and or be cool. "We don't wanna spook whoever is doing this," he notes. "Gameplan, my recommendation, is to get off the streets, get a base of operations and decide our next move with less eyes."
"Whelp. Game time now, yeah?" the young Orderite asks, flipping his lips into a winsome grin. He has tried to steady Alexander's energy the entire trip. Tried to encourage him. Just as he tries now, with everyone present. "We got this in the bag. Only dubs for us, guys," he lies. His words ring a bit too cheery, as if forced. "What's up first? Looking for where the kid was snatched? The cemeteries? Watering holes? Surely someone might be speaking about something they've seen..." He bobs his head, as if assessing the options he can think of. There is, however, a grateful nod afforded to Ryan as he mentions beer. And Viktorin shrugs towards Miles's look, seemingly indifferent and nonchalant.
Pulling up his phone, Ryan taps on it, looking around the GPS map for anything, "Probably can find a campground or somewhere to park the van and not look too suspicious. Remember this is small town rules, they don't know us here, so they're gonna be spooked by anything we do. Even a town as small as Haven is still a big city to them. Give them some room, don't all go at once. Who's the most country out of all of us? Did anyone bring any boots?"
"That's exactly what I mean, yeah." Miles extends back to Ryan with a quirk of the lips, adjusting the bag slung over his shoulder with a roll, before flicking a glance up and down the street. "Though, to be frank, I didn't really hear much. I imagine most of the details were left in the hands of the Order." The question of boots has Miles glance down at his choice of footwear- brogues, and then shake his head slowly. He's dressed for day drinking while investigating shady business, not wandering around the wilds. Probably should've put more thought into his fit.
"There were seven kids taken, released by Sanctuary eventually, but they were all taken at age seven, pretty interesting numbers, yeah? And in the month of their birthday, so anyone have a birthday this month?" Ryan asks, "I'm born in May."
Alexander says "Why would we be targetted? It's small town, there can't be more than a couple kids who fit the MO. We should pull census data."
Viktorin awkwardly murmurs to Ryan, "Uh. Mine is the twelfth. Of this month." There is a nod of agreement towards Alexander, and he snorts, "Hey, maybe if I like... duck down, and duck-walk everywhere, I'd look like a kid or something."
"Unfortunately, I'm not seven, and August." Miles answers in turn, clicking his tongue softly. "This is a good hop, skip and a jump away from Haven, isn't it? Wonder if they plucked this place empty of their preferred taste in victims before moving on?"
Given the modus operandi for the villain in question, the group is unlikely to encounter them before it is actually dark. For those that do not remember, this particular villain lures the targets to a cemetery, where they then disappear and are never seen again, except for those in Haven, because Sanctuary. The targets are all seven years old and taken in the month they were born. Ryan and Alexander had an encounter with the individual in question, but not directly.
As the sun sinks lower, a looming shadow weighs on the Boyz. If they don't get moving and setup, they might miss their chance to get this particular predator. The nearest (and only) cemetery in Cora is only a few miles down the road, less than five minutes away by van. Current intel indicates there is a seven year old born in March in the population of Cora. So it is certainly possible that this place could be the next place the bad guy could pop up.
Alexander twitches uneasily at Miles suggestion. "Then the newspaper'll cover it, or we'll find out the second we hit a public place. Stuff like that is going to be obvious. But if kids were missing, then we'd already be mobbed by local PD I suspect. Let's hit the graveyard first. Doubt it sees much usual traffic."
"Well, maybe roll up your pants legs and comb your hair back. You could maybe pass for twelve, kiddo." Ryan says with a smirk as he shoots Viktorin with finger guns. "We can head over to the Cemetary and see what's over there, maybe check a few playgrounds on the way, but don't look too creepy, don't want to get the cops called on us for being an unmarked white van with candy and four adult men. Come on now, big smiles, don't look creepy."
"Maybe one of us can dip out for coffee for the stakeout, rub some elbows with the locals and see if there's any news on the ground from the locals." Ryan asks.
Alexander nods. "PD likes the smell of bacon even out of town. Miles could go hit the town. Maybe one other. The others should keep an eye on the graveyard and run interference."
"Oh good call. You got a badge, Miles?" Ryan asks as he thumbs over towards him, "I'm the best looking among us, so I can pick up the coffee."
"I'd suggest not myself or Vikky here, on that note." Miles opines in response to Ryan's final suggestion, "We aren't local, and if there's anything I can presume about small town Americana it's that they don't like foreign folk. Especally the Czech, no doubt." He raises a hand to rub at his jawline, "I can have a chat with the cops at some time, but I wouldn't expect more than a cold shoulder. Badge or not, they get territorial."
Miles taps his pretty little badge in response to Ryan's question.
Viktorin nods easily and grunts, "Great way to set up a vantage point." His eyes flicker over towards Miles, Ryan, and Alexander, a slight shiver running down his spine. As the decision is made, he blinks at their defacto armless leader. "Dude... why did you have to choose a white-van? Like, why couldn't we go for like, a rainbow color or some shit?" he asks, squinting. He also adds further, "And... why... why do we have candy? We're going to get fucking arrested before we nab the dude." He gives a nod towards the writer of the group, admitting, "I can always run interference. Or really, run in general. I'm fast like that, you know? Not as fast as Ryan though."
Rental van happens to be white because that was what was available. Or as part of the white supremacy and patriarchy plans that Ryan is so obviously involved in. Either way, getting coffee does not take long, but only because the little diner nearby probably exudes some white supremacy vibes anyways. Before long, the coffee is in the van with fairly little fuss. No mentions are made of any children missing or any BOLOs or manhunts or anything of that nature. The town seems as quiet and serene as one would expect for being in the middle of nowhere just outside of a national park.
Cora does not have a police department at all, let alone a building for it. A nearby sheriff's department covers the police needs of Cora, which means even if someone had called about the Boyz in the van with the candy and guns, the nearest response is forty-five minutes away, at best. And probably way more than that, given the only reason they would need to come to Cora is to break up a bar fight.
Alexander stuffs his hand in his pockets. "We're going to the graveyard first and foremost. Set up there and make a plan, let's go," he says impatiently.
Getting back in the van with Coffees for everyone, Ryan shrugs as he looks over at them, distributing out the cups to the cupholders and hands, "No dice on the coffee. I gave my winningest smile and they're all tight lipped about it. Graveyard or Sheriffs are probably the next best place for intel, but as Miles says, they're probably gonna stonewall us there, too."
Viktorin nods affirmatively to Alexander, "Yeah, let's not wait too long. I hate waiting. And clearly this guy's not gonna wait. If they're gonna snatch anything tonight though, they're gonna be snatching these hands. With their face." Taking a glance towards Ryan, he shrugs and takes the cup, sipping on it. "Let's go, let's go, let's go." Probably not the most polite thanks ever made. But hey, he does give a nod of appreciation afterwards, immediately sipping it before crying aloud, "Ow... hot. Ow... hot."
"Cheers, mate. Shame about that, really. Don't take it personally. I would've swooned." Miles comments aside to Ryan as he accepts his own hot bean water. Black. One sugar. No milk. Milk is for closers. There's a peer toward Ryan to see if the man ruins his coffee in much the same manner as his wife does. "I'm not saying we shouldn't, but is there any particular reason you're keen for the graveyard?" The deputy queries of Alexander then.
Alexander says "S'where it happened last time..."
"Way to burn yourself, asshole." Ryan murmurs to Viktorin as he starts up the car and idles it while they talk, keeping the heat on, "All the sugars and milk in this one." he states as he drinks his own barely coffee and nods to Alexander, "To the Graveyard it is, then?"
Getting to Westfall Cemetery takes literally four minutes once the van gets started moving. Even missing the road, because it is a dirt road they need to turn off onto, does not cause that big of a delay, because of a quick U-turn in the middle of the highway. No cars are even in sight for the duration of the U-turn.
The sun has fully set by the time the Boyz arrive at the cemetery. The gate is closed and barred, but there is an area where they can park. Some spots even have some tree cover from the entrance of gate.
[OOC: And with that, we can move to the room to the north to continue onto the next leg of the story!]
Alexander grows more grim as the day proceeds, as they find themselves at the Westfall Cemetery. He hasn't really enjoyed himself thus far and that's an obvious kind of energy the further the day progresses. "Anyone wanna get that gate open?" he poses to the group. He pulls himself out of the vand and checks himself, handgun holstered, knife in its own on the otherside. His jacket lingers nearby with other tools of his craft.
He takes in the sight of this place and feels a chill run down his spine. Whether honest or supernatural, his eyes flicker across the shadows. "This place is fucked," he mutters under his breath.
"Oh shit." Ryan murmurs as they drive up to the cemetary, "Could have fooled me that this was a nice little small town. That shit is straight medieval in there." he glances to Miles as he says, "Well, I guess we'll have the cop go first, right? Just in case there's anyone to shoot, you have coverage."
Viktorin immediately protests Ryan on the ride to the cemetery, growling, "I am -not- an asshole. I'm like the nicest guy ever. Totally." A small nod is given to assert the Czech's claims, and he peers towards his one armed comrade, squinting all the while. "Thank you for the Coffee, dick-bean." His eyes, however are drawn over to the cemetery. Like a moth to the flame. Strangely the Orderite seemed both unsettled and attracted to the sight, murmuring a softly spoken, "Whoa." His lips twist and curve, helplessly flitting between a lop-sided smile and a frown, as if indecision weighed heavily on their mind. "I dunno... I kinda like it... it has my stamp of approval." Immediately, however, he heeds Alexander's query with an eager nod of his head, opening the sliding side door to the van just to pool out with his coffee sloshing around, slopping on to the ground as he stumbles and slips towards the gate. However, he doesn't appear to enjoy the occasional howl, cringing each time, with anger and fear stiffening his back. "Fuck dogs. Fuck them."
The howls in particular seem to unsettle Miles, who raises a hand to massage at a quiet ache in his left shoulder. "Yeah, that makes sense." He admits aside to Ryan, though doesn't sound particularly pleased about it. There's a little 'hup' as he jumps out of the van after Alexander, and clears his throat. The coffee is considered, and then thrown back as Miles guzzles it down, and tosses the empty vessel back into the van. It definitely burned a bit.
After some mild consideration the deputy slips the telescope back from his shoulder, unzips it, and plucks out his telescope. It's a rifle. The bag is slipped back against his frame, and his rifle remains in his left hand as he wanders over closer toward the gate.
Despite the comments about Miles opening the gate, it is actually Viktorin that gets to it first. And with a showing of muscular testosterone, he manages to wrench the gate open, breaking the lock in the process. Not that it was much of a lock to begin with, mostly there as decoration and slight deterrent for would be grave robbers. Not that Cora has a bunch of those visiting, but it is more of the gesture to create the illusion of security than anything else. With the gate popped open, anyone that wants to venture properly into the graveyard may. Those that do not want to may stay with the van.
[OOC: Please Join whichever place you would like to be: Van, Graveyard, or any other place you want to setup. Try to keep the naming simple for me to join. I'll be able to see anything you Subtle there, so feel free to use that for what the others may not be able to see happening]
Alexander moves to explore the graveyard. He's stepping away, not out of sight, or at least intentionally. He's scouring the grounds, carefully, watchful. He's clearly on edge as dark settles in.
Sliding out of his side of the car, Ryan puts his weapons together and glances to the other guys, hefting his staff as he checks his rifle. "Okay, so who has spooky skills? I got a book on some rituals, but I'm no expert on it." he looks over at Miles and says, "You want to go in groups of two? One side of the 'yard and us on watch here in the car?"
Alexander says "I am capable of rituals but not quickly."
With Viktorin leading the charge, and tearing through that barrier, Miles allows himself to slow in his steps, pausing for several seconds to get more accustomed with the area that they find themselves in. He fetches a flashlight from his jacket, twisting the neck of the thing to cause it to splutter into life. "I've got a flashlight." The fellow remarks back to Ryan with a little upward tick of the corner of his mouth, as if it answered whether or not he possessed any abilities that might be considered spooky. "I just thought we might have a quick squizz.."
"Ah fuck." Ryan murmurs quietly to Miles as he looks around, "I felt like I was being watched back in Haven at the graveyard, me and Alexander. Feeling the same creepy heebie jeebies here. You feel that? Like your hair standing on end?"
Viktorin slowly lowers himself after he wrenches the gate open. It probably wasn't the most stealthy entrance, but seemingly for the Czech, it would do. Slowly, ever so slowly, he glides forward, like a cat. His heels always reach the ground first, his hand moving towards his rifle slipping it off his shoulder, winding the strap around his arm to stabilize it. With his other hand, it immediately slams towards his dagger, loping it out, and with his ensemble nearly ready, he rests his rifle's fore-grip on his fore-arm. Not exactly the best stabilization ever, but it also seemed acceptable to the man. He stealthily creeps forward, raising his rifle. Sightless. Just iron-sights. His fingers slip upward to rack the bolt, bypassing the trigger. Behind him, he murmurs in a hushed tone towards Ryan, "Dunno rituals. I only know how to break shit and how to shoot shit. And how to interrogate creepy fucks." And then he continues, a shiver lining down his spine. "Hey Alex. Let's stick close. I'll watch the left, you watch the right, yeah?" he murmurs, towards Alexander. He gives a small nod towards Ryan, smiling at their own weapons. "I've got night-vision like a cat. Not good night-vision, but good enough."
"..I feel that." Miles responds back to Ryan, and there's some mild relief that the feeling is shared. At least they're in this together. His flashlight sweeps this way and that for several seconds longer, before he turns to more fully face the other man. "You didn't happen to bring along a thermos of mandrake tea by any chance?"
"I got some wolfsbane?" Ryan replies as he shrugs, "Didn't think we'd be fighting stuff in the nightmare, so maybe I'm unprepared, and that stuff tastes like ass."
As the Boyz split into two teams to cover more area, they all feel like they are being watched. The songs of coyotes howling in the distance serenade the team of would be predator prevention specialists. The sun going down completely blankets the graveyard entirely in darkness, and mist starts to coil up around everyone's feet. It was cold when the sun was up, but now it is freezing out here. Everyone can see their breath in the air when they exhale little clouds of vapor. Leaves crunch beneath feet as Alexander and Viktorin move through the grave yard, all but echoing in their ears even as they try to proceed quietly.
Outside the grave yard, near the van, Miles and Ryan are chilling and listening, looking around for the source of the creepy feeling tickling at the back of their necks. When Miles shines the light up the road a bit, he hits something and doubles back, only to see a seven year old girl walking down the dirt road toward the grave yard. Her eyes are basically closed, so those are not visible yet. She is a little blond thing in pajamas though, and in her left hand, she is holding a teddy bear.
Ryan whispers to Miles, "Yo, pull your badge out. If the locals are watching it'll look legit. Blah blah missing persons...uh..." he cranes his neck to see if anyone is watching, "We look sus as fuck if we take this kid into this van, but I don't think this spooky shadow voice thing is going to try and take her if we're all guarding. You take point on the little girl, they love cops, paw patrol and shit."
"Here, use the candy. That'll work. Kids fucking love candy." Ryan adds.
Alexander steps slowly, cautious, then pivots. One step, then another. He twists about. "...I'm going to step into the nightmare," he announces.""
Thankfully Miles practices some trigger discipline, and self-control in general, so he manages to stop himself from drawing a weapon upon the sight of the little girl. Kids in the mist? That's creepy as hell, man. He adjusts his grip on the flashlight, shifting it to his left hand, along with his badge while accepting the candy. There's a mild squint afforded to Ryan at the suggestion, before he takes a few steps closer.
"Alright there, young lady?" The deputy calls out, ensuring he isn't blinding her with the flashlight, "I'm Miles Hull. Deputy Miles Hull. Are you okay?" He doesn't offer the candy just yet, though he takes measured steps closer to her.
Viktorin snorts in amusement at Ryan, helplessly shaking his head. "I swear. We're the goofiest motherfuckers there are." He keeps himself close to Alexander, wandering along within him, though he seems to be whispering quietly to them about something, somewhat frustratedly.
Sticking to the shadows by the van, Ryan raises his rifle, scanning around the area as he watches Miles talk to the kid.
Alexander says "There's something here."
Alexander says to Vik, gazing over.
Viktorin nods, "Let's head in on three then. You start the count."
Viktorin mutters, "Wait... where's there a fucking mirror?"
Ryan taps on the mirror of the van, the rearview one as he motions to Viktorin.
Alexander says "Don't need a mirror to enter, just to leave. No?"
Alexander nods and slips sideways into the nightmare, gripping his charm tight. They have to find this thing. On "Go".
Near the van, the little girl does not even seem like she heard Miles talk to her. She wobbles a little as she walks, from side to side, but continues on toward the gate, like she knows exactly where she is going by the feel of the ground beneath her feet. Even the lure of candy is not enough to bring her out of her sleep walking trance. Outside the graveyard, near the van, standard level creepiness remains, with the girl wobbling toward the gate. She is at the threshold of the gate, about to step into the graveyard.
Inside the graveyard, Alexander and Viktorin slip into the Nightmare. In the creepy assed graveyard in the middle of nowhere. Hind sight being 20/20, that might not have been the best move. If the graveyard was spooky before, it becomes a place of unspeakable terror that defies the boundaries of the living and the dead. The gates creak and rattle as an unfelt breeze jostles them. The tombstones have gotten larger and more menacing in form, some even having clawed arms and horns. The shadows come alive in this place and bow up and around the tombstones even more sinisterly with animated movement and even whispered howls of incomprehensible horror. Even the nearby mountain range looks foreboding and malicious in this new setting. The nightmare twists the graveyard into a terrible labyrinth of hedges, trees, and shrubs with things inside, looking out at Viktorin and Alexander malevolently. And then, the whispers begin, emanating up from the ground along with dull thuds against wood below the earth.
The girl ignores the man with his pretty accent, shiny badge and hand full of candy. Not ideal, but it could be worse. At least she hasn't started levitating, or spewing bile or anything of the sort. Children are creepy, after all. There's a little hum in the back of Miles's throat, before he glances aside to Ryan and offers a shrug, "She may not have heard me." The man reasons, not quite realizing that they've lost half their adventuring party already. I guess the Boyz are down to BO and YZ now.
With a gesture to indicate that he oughta cover him, Miles turns his attention from Ryan, and moves to approach and intercept the young girl now, "Hey there, Miss. You might not have heard me." He raises his voice a little more.
Viktorin grumbles, and says, "Fuck it, snapping thrice, falling back into his own shadow. And then he disappears. The theatrics with this guy."
Nodding to Miles as he raises his rifle, covering the Deputy as he stays hidden by the Van, Ryan murmurs to him, "Should we like...just grab her? Or uh...trip her up? She's about to get in there with all the weird creepy shit."
"I'm not going to trip a kid." Miles remarks back to Ryan with a mild huff of both amusement and surprise, though, should she not respond, he would at least lay a hand on her shoulder to stop her.
"Kids trip all the time on the playground." Ryan murmurs as he shrugs to Miles, "If some parents aren't watching their kid walk out the door, it's better to have a few bruises and bumps from falling then to be stolen by som Fae or Demon, right?"
[OOC: This may be a good time for everyone to take a 10 minute break. Call it an intermission. Be back at 9:15 Haven time, please!]
Despite the raised voice from Miles, the girl continues on into the graveyard. She heads straight for a very specific grave marker even: Keith E Anderson, 22 Jan 1923 -- 23 Jul 2010. The pair in the graveyard can see the little girl standing in front of a grave that looks like it is trying to eat her. On the physical plane, she just stops once she reaches it and lays down, cuddling her teddy bear to her chest in the cold and resumes sleeping as if nothing at all has gone awry.
All of the Boyz feel the temperature drop by a good three or four degrees as the girl settles down to sleep. There really is no discernible cause for this beyond the one supernatural thing that is heralded by a sudden temperature drop.
"Aah!" Ryan startles as he takes off running, jumping a little bit to keep his feet away from the hands as he makes a beeline for the girl, "Get the girl! Something's coming for her!" he jumps and stomps as he goes through the graveyard, "Damn hands trying to drag me down!"
"Stop!" There's a shout that cuts through the cold, and dim of the night as Miles yells at the figure behind the grave. Fortunately, perhaps, for it at least, while he's spent quite a few years in America he hasn't quite taken on the reflexive attitudes of the American police officers. While he raises his firearm toward the figure, while stomping forwards and toward the girl and it both, he doesn't fire just yet. It is not, after all, an acorn.
The light of his flashlight attempts to illuminate it further, as the tool is pressed against the base of the rifle by Miles's grip upon it. "Step away from the girl!"
Alexander looks like he's about to panic and scream but then Viktorin pulls him out of it. "No! STOP!" he shouts. He clenches his hand and shudders. "It's an illusion! Or...a dream! We've fallen for a trap!" he bellows.
Alexander can't help but let out a shrill scream.
Just as soon as the various visions of each of the Boyz had started, they also stop just as swiftly. Everyone is back in reality, be it the nightmare or the physical real world. But then an orb of inky black darkness forms at the eastern edge of the graveyard, moving toward the girl. It blocks out even the flashlight when it is shined that way, devouring it like a black hole. Everyone can see this orb, and it stops halfway between the edge and the girl, as if daring the Boyz to come into it to see what awaits them inside. Taunting laughter echoes out from inside the blackened sphere. But no one emerges from it. The girl is still sleeping peacefully in front of the tombstone for Mister Anderson.
Alexander steels himself and pivots to the orb. It comes out at once. Much ritual magic requires time, and preparation and words and commands. Alexander knows of two exceptions. It takes him a moment to stop scream, another to draw his breath, another to steel himself. He extends a hand out.
Alexander snaps the hand closed. "SPIRIT! I COMMAND YOU! STAY!" he bellows.
"Fuck it, I'm grabbing the kid, you all do something about Orbface McGee!" Ryan yells to the others as he reaches down to grab the girl in his arms and attempts to hightail it back to the van, "Candy or not, we have to get her back to her parents!"
There's that terrible tug of reality being pulled out from beneath Miles, as the illusion shifts and the awful devil he'd witness vanished. A near prayer of sorts escapes the man, under his breath. The threat had been imagined, or conjured, but the girl? She was very real, and she'd have very much been in the line of fire if he'd opened up on the beast. "Jesus christ.." Miles exhales further, twisting his flashlight and firearm upon the orb now. "Covering!" He calls toward Ryan, attempting to do just that again the.. floating ball.
One thing that never really gets mentioned in the movies: How loud modern firearms actually are. Even out in a graveyard and somewhat open spaces, the concussive noise from even a single shot fired is loud enough to wake the dead if it has even enough stopping power for a deer. This noise is also loud enough to actually wake up the little girl, who immediately starts screaming bloody murder, because she's in a scary, creepy graveyard at night, and has no idea why. The menacingly dark orb is unfazed by both the noise or the bullet that goes flying straight through it and chips a nearby tombstone.
The orb remains stationary after Alexander's shouted command. The laughing from within ceases, replaced with a thoughtful, "Huh?" Some faint struggling noises are audible from within the inky darkness, and then everyone gets hit with visions once more of various types of death that will overtake them: Miles drowning in an ocean of blood, Alexander standing in front of a speeding school bus as it honks on its way to flatten him, Viktorin having a building collapse on him, and Ryan being repeatedly stabbed by a phantom. The visions fade out moments after they finish, but for those brief seconds, they all but feel real.
Alexander lets out a gasp as the bus rushes towards him. His entire body clenches up and he screams, but then it fades and hot growl escapes his throat in its place. "Fuck!" He bellows. He extends his hand out, trying to summon upon the nature of this site to lash at the orb and press at it. "You piece of shit! I know what you are, COWARD! And I'm going to find you!"
Collapsing to the ground as he flails and attempts to defend himself from the immediate pain that wracks his body from repeated stabbings, Ryan curls up into a ball as his arms and legs try and shield his torso reflexively. He holds his ears as he hears the gunshot, crawling and scrambling after the pain starts to fade as he slows down, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself and his body that is still in shock from the phantom pain that became real as his whole body feels numb from the illusory sensations. He reaches for the girl to attempt and clamp his hand over her mouth and quiet her as he grapples with her to drag her off to the van very suspectly.
The rifle is dropped, left to swing about Miles's torso by it's strap as the man's eyes bulge, and he gasps for air. Both hands raise, scrambling at the air as if he were trying to climb his way to freedom - but obviously it doesn't work as he isn't actually under the water, or blood, really. There's a kicked up plume of dust as he crashes onto the ground, legs jerking and kicking until thankfully the illusion breaks and he sucks in a gasp of air, choking and coughing.
After the Boyz start recovering from the latest waves of spectral visions, the dark sphere starts to waver. Soon, it begins to fade out. After several moments, it disappears completely, and whatever was inside of it, from the vision of most of those present. Perhaps it spent its reserves and is no longer able to affect the mortal realms. The graveyard is still creepy, the little girl is still screaming, but has not figured out which direction she should run. There are a bunch of men around her behaving in very strange fashions. The dark orb disappearing goes completely unnoticed by her. She has some crazy loud pipes too, as she huddles against Mister Anderson's tombstone. And so it was that the Boyz managed to at least protect one potential target from the Pied 'Pire in Cora, Wyoming. At least for tonight. He could come back later, once he gets himself unbound from Alexander's ritual. The Boyz manage to get the girl and return her to her parents, though there is some curiosity about what all goes down. Eventually, they make a break for it and get away and head back to Haven. Not fully victorious, but victorious enough for one child on one night.
[OOC: That brings us to the end of this chapter in the Pied 'Pire series. If you all enjoyed it, let me know, and I will see about doing more. In the mean time, please stand by for some mechanical command stuff to finish off the Plot. Thanks for coming!]