Encounterlogs
Antoinettes Odd Encounter Sr Sam 250123
In the cold dawn of Haven, Antoinette experiences a haunting encounter that drives her curiosity beyond the safety of her clinic. Following an alert for emergency medical services on Black Ash Lane—swiftly labeled a false alarm—she senses a deeper mystery and decides to investigate, driven by an intuition that something unnatural is afoot. Approaching an abandoned shack, she navigates through the eeriness of the surroundings only to discover the place trying too hard to appear uninhabited. A meandering cat momentarily breaks the tension before Antoinette ventures inside the shack, her senses alert to any sign of danger. Inside, she encounters signs of recent habitation and detects the unmistakable smell of sulfur, hinting at the dark rituals that might have taken place. Her search reveals a secret passage beneath a book-case, leading her to confront what lies below.
The subsequent events spiral into an intense confrontation with a burly, intimidating man whose presence is marked by a sense of lethal power and a hint of recent violence. Despite Antoinette's attempts to maintain a facade of professionalism and bravery, the interaction quickly reveals the depth of danger she's stumbled into. The man's dismissive attitude toward her knife and his sarcastic enjoyment of her fear escalate the situation. Yet, Antoinette's quick thinking and use of a distraction give her a chance to escape with a folder full of notes, potentially crucial evidence of the dark activities conducted in the shack. Her successful escape is marked by the man's ominous final act – taking a photo of her as she drives away, leaving Antoinette with a profound sense of unease and countless questions about what she's just witnessed.
(Antoinette's odd encounter(SRSam):SRSam)
[Wed Jan 22 2025]
In the nurse's office
A warm, inviting atmosphere is fostered here by the soft, diffused lighting and the gentle hum of medical equipment that create a comforting backdrop for patients seeking solace and guidance. Neatly organized cabinets and shelves line the walls, offering a plethora of medical supplies and informational pamphlets that reflect the Institute's dedication to comprehensive patient care and well-being. The soothing earth tones of the decor and the plush, upholstered chairs contribute to a comforting environment.
It is dawn, about 14F(-10C) degrees, and there are a few dark grey stormclouds in the sky.
(Your target and their allies come across a seemingly normal, abandoned farmhouse on the outskirts of Haven. However, upon closer investigation, they discover it's being used as a meeting place for the Destined Host. They find evidence of recent dark rituals, and perhaps even stumble upon an artifact of demonic origin. The group now has a choice: do they engage with the Host directly, try to infiltrate their ranks to learn more, or do they destroy the artifact and risk the wrath of the Host? The encounter could involve a confrontation with the Host or even a demonic entity, should the characters accidentally trigger a dormant spell during their investigation.)
It's a quiet moment in the clinic, and therefore it's noticable when suddenly, an alert beeps on Antoinette's pager: EMS required, Black Ash lane. It's a high priority alert, one reserved for when it's expected that one ambulance is not enough.
However, as soon as it beeped on, the alert is followed up with a false alarm. Several things are strange about this: firstly, this would normally not be done so quickly, and secondly, the false alarm does not show any kind of clarification. For anyone who knows about Haven's nature, it's a clear sign that someone has asked the clinic not to respond.
Just starting to respond to an email she'd gotten, Antoinette 's attention is diverted by the pager beep. Her brows lift and then furrow at the false alarm. She tries to ignore it for a couple minutes, because it's probably none of her business...but the curiosity proves to be too much in the end. She finishes up what she was typing and then logs out, snagging her coat and heading back out into the cold. Maybe they didn't want the clinic to respond in full force, but surely there wasn't any harm is taking a drive out to Black Ash Lane with her 'doctor's bag' and just getting eyes on what might be going on.
Sure enough, Antoinette makes her way to the adress on the initial report, and as she approaches, an unsettling feeling makes the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Something is amiss, likely supernaturally so, and it's tangible. To the north, a little into the forest, is a small shack, clearly meant to look abandoned. There is something afoot there, but just from sight, it's hard to tell what exactly.
Antoinette frowns as she draws closer to the abandoned looking shack. She glances at her phone like maybe she should text someone -just in case-, but then opts not to. The car is put in park and she carefully gets out, alert and trying to be quiet if whatever or whoever didn't already hear her car approaching. She draws out her pendant, briefly gripping it before letting it lay against her chest. She picks her bag up and starts cautiously moving forward.
Quiet as she can, Antoinette approaches that shack, and sure enough, she manages it about halfway through when a SNAP in the brush is audible. The early morning light quickly reveals what it is: A small cat, which meows and skitters off. False alarm seems the theme of the morning.
Soon, then, Antoinette reaches the shack. The door is shut, and the lights within are turned off, seemingly like someone tried to make it look uninhabited. However, the inside lack the typical over-growth of abandoned property in Haven forest.
A startled gasp escapes the Antoinette as the meowing cat makes itself known before skittering off. She abruptly tries to silent herself, putting her free hand over her mouth and drawing in a slow breath. She exhales even slower as the hand comes away and she continues on to the shack. She does the cursory peek inside, some suspicion mounting. Everything was trying too hard to look untouched but that lack of overgrowth was the real give away. For better or worse, she starts to carefully try and open the door, not quite vocally announcing her presence yet.
Sure enough, the door sings open. An empty shack, perhaps once a cabin for someone who likes quiet places, reveals itself. A small kitchenette, dusty and in dis-use, reveals itself. A table, in the kitchen, and a small side room, which only has a book-shelf set in the wall, dusty, disheveled books lining the shelves, and a pair of antlers decorating the sides, one at each side of that book-shelf. It's quiet like the grave inside, not a sound to be heard, though somewhere, a strange smell seems to linger. Not quite one Antoinette can place straight away, though it seems familiar, somehow.
Antoinette wrinkles her nose as she takes another sniff. What was that? She keeps the door ajar behind her in case she needs to beat a hasty retreat, but she quietly tries to move forward. "Hello? Is anyone here?" She finally breaks the deafening silence and it makes her want to flinch. "If someone is injured, help is here."
The silence lingers almost painfully, and not a sound is heard in the shack. The smell seems to continue to linger, and finally, the chemistry lessons Antoinette perhaps has had kick in: Sulfur.
From somewhere below the floor-boards, sounds are heard now, leading to the side of the house with the study. Thud, thud, creak. Someone seems to be moving below.
Antoinette pauses, listening closely, trying not to breathe too deeply. Her gaze flits downward, starting to follow the footsteps from below. Stepping into the study, she starts searching for either something that is an obvious door, or a concealed one like the sort she has in her shop. Eyeing the floor for a trap door maybe too. She doesn't try to call out again though. Not yet.
In the study, tucked in a corner, is a folder. It seems to contain some sort of notes, but otherwise, nothing that is legible on first glance. The book-case, then.
One of the antlers seems like it's a lever, and faint markings on the floor seem to indicate this book-case might be swung forward, like a doorway. Meanwhile, those foot-steps seem to soften, though Antoinette's proximity to them make one thing clear: They are approaching... roughly underneath that book-case. She might have mere moments to decide what to do about this. The smell of sulfur is very clear in the air, coming from behind that book-case.
Antoinette goes wide eyed at the prospect of the person or thing coming closer. Now would be a good opportunity to run. She doesn't do that of course and instead tries to position herself to where she'll be behind the door when it opens. She takes her knife from her cost pocket (thank you Malcolm) and tentatively waits.
The doorway swings open, and a large, rather burly looking man, roughly in his thirties, steps out. He wears a long leather trenchcoat, and blakc, finger-less gloves. He glances around the room, pushing the doorway shut again....
"Ah, there ya are." He looks down at Antoinette, easily six foot if not more, and his eyes are a deep, blood-red crimson. "Can I help ya?" He looks down at that knife, utterly, thouroughly, and openly unimpressed. "I reccomend ya put that down b'fore ya hurt yerself."
Antoinette doesn't know if she's more on edge or eased by the fact it's a relatively normal man appearing from the door. She glances to the knife and then back to him, but doesn't pit it away. "I'm from the Clinic." She says in as professional a tone she can manage. "I figured either it really was a false alarm or the whole calvary wasn't necessary." She glances downward and then back to him. "What's in the basement?"
The man looks over to Antoinette, and he grunts. A glance is given to her glasses, then down to the knife again.
"We both know you can't kill me with that, not here." He glances at the doorway, and speaks, casually.
"False alarm." He glares towards Antoinette, narrowing his eyes. "I'm doing cleanup. Thanks for your concern... miss..." He looks at Antoinette, not actually having introduced himself at all.
"Who said anything about killing anyone?" Antoinette asks with a quirked brow. "This is purely self defense." The knuckle white grip on her knife betrays what might actually be going on in her head in contrast to the calm and collected manner she's trying to maintain. She, likewise, isn't going to give up her name, merely saying, "You never know, in this town." She finally, finally, slips the knife back into her coat pocket. "I have a similar door, you know.' She adds casually, glancing back to the door herself as she starts to try and edge away from her position and put a little distance between herself and the man, closer to the exit of the study. "They're handy, even if not completely safe from the right kind of prying eyes.""
"Who said anything about killing anyone?" Antoinette asks with a quirked brow. "This is purely self defense." The knuckle white grip on her knife betrays what might actually be going on in her head in contrast to the calm and collected manner she's trying to maintain. She, likewise, isn't going to give up her name, merely saying, "You never know, in this town." She finally, finally, slips the knife back into her coat pocket. "I have a similar door, you know." She adds casually, glancing back to the door herself as she starts to try and edge away from her position and put a little distance between herself and the man, closer to the exit of the study. "They're handy, even if not completely safe from the right kind of prying eyes." (fix)
"I did. Just now." The man smirks, the red glow of his aura clear: This is someone who has killed, likely recently. He nods his head slowly. "Good. Very good."
He has a wide, sarcastic smirk on his face, seemingly actively enjoying Antoinette's fear. He just lifts a shrug, and nods slowly. "Ya, ain't seen nuthing, deal?" He cracks his knuckles, and chuckles to himself. "Okay. Okay okay. Tell ya what." He chuckles. "Imma count to five, and if yer gone by then, I'll pretend I ain't seen ya either." He closes his eyes.
"One..." That folder in the corner would be reachable... if only the man would not notice. Antoinette might have a chance. Otherwise, booking it would be, perhaps, wise for one's health.
Antoinette considers the situation as it unfolds, suddenly glad that she had the forethought to let her bone charm hang openly. Sam -had- told her that beyond just have the focus, it had to be outward. "Yes, of course, absolutely." She tells the man as she subtle adjusts her backing up to bring her just a little closer to the folder as she runs through what she'd done in the cemetery. That had involved blood. But maybe this didn't need to. She focuses on the idea of escape, of shadows, of smoke and mirrors. She whispers something in Gaelic that could be easily misconstrued as some kind of prayer of protection to the ears of the man as she does a gesture to go with it. Her version of the cross?
In an instant, there's a distraction caused the man, perhaps light glinting off the window or a hazy swirl of shadow in the corner of his eye. Whatever is is, specifically, she will capitalize on it to grab that folder and book it.
The man growls, looking aside, then back in front of him. He lets out an annoyed sigh, and he starts thudding after Antoinette. Scowling, he is several feet behind her. It would be, in this situation, easy to reach the car, but Antoinette would not have to stop to glance behind. This of course is risky, as she would not know what the man was doing. But he seemed hot on her heels...
"I thought you said you were going to count to five!" Antoinette protests without looking back, rushing toward the front door that she'd left open just in case something like this happened.
Antoinette tries to wrack her brain, what else could she do? She vaguely remembered doing a few other things at the cemetery but that involved...more people.
The man stops at the door, letting Antoinette get to her car safely. Something seems to have stopped him, perhaps a change of mind, perhaps something else. Either way, Antoinette is able to get back easily...
Though, if she were to look back, she'd see the light of a phone, aimed at her car. Then the large outline of that man fades, as the door is shut again.
Antoinette acks as the pain runs through her, luckily she's not too far from her car at this point because she stumbles into it. She groans as she sees that little flash of phone camera, hurriedly getting into the car and driving off. She gets a fair ways down the road before she pulls over, deciding to flip through that folder she got after all. Giving it a cursory review she'd draw in a breath and check the time. Maybe riding this high of actually -doing- magic could be capitalized on. She reaches for her phone to send out a text.
The subsequent events spiral into an intense confrontation with a burly, intimidating man whose presence is marked by a sense of lethal power and a hint of recent violence. Despite Antoinette's attempts to maintain a facade of professionalism and bravery, the interaction quickly reveals the depth of danger she's stumbled into. The man's dismissive attitude toward her knife and his sarcastic enjoyment of her fear escalate the situation. Yet, Antoinette's quick thinking and use of a distraction give her a chance to escape with a folder full of notes, potentially crucial evidence of the dark activities conducted in the shack. Her successful escape is marked by the man's ominous final act – taking a photo of her as she drives away, leaving Antoinette with a profound sense of unease and countless questions about what she's just witnessed.
(Antoinette's odd encounter(SRSam):SRSam)
[Wed Jan 22 2025]
In the nurse's office
A warm, inviting atmosphere is fostered here by the soft, diffused lighting and the gentle hum of medical equipment that create a comforting backdrop for patients seeking solace and guidance. Neatly organized cabinets and shelves line the walls, offering a plethora of medical supplies and informational pamphlets that reflect the Institute's dedication to comprehensive patient care and well-being. The soothing earth tones of the decor and the plush, upholstered chairs contribute to a comforting environment.
It is dawn, about 14F(-10C) degrees, and there are a few dark grey stormclouds in the sky.
(Your target and their allies come across a seemingly normal, abandoned farmhouse on the outskirts of Haven. However, upon closer investigation, they discover it's being used as a meeting place for the Destined Host. They find evidence of recent dark rituals, and perhaps even stumble upon an artifact of demonic origin. The group now has a choice: do they engage with the Host directly, try to infiltrate their ranks to learn more, or do they destroy the artifact and risk the wrath of the Host? The encounter could involve a confrontation with the Host or even a demonic entity, should the characters accidentally trigger a dormant spell during their investigation.)
It's a quiet moment in the clinic, and therefore it's noticable when suddenly, an alert beeps on Antoinette's pager: EMS required, Black Ash lane. It's a high priority alert, one reserved for when it's expected that one ambulance is not enough.
However, as soon as it beeped on, the alert is followed up with a false alarm. Several things are strange about this: firstly, this would normally not be done so quickly, and secondly, the false alarm does not show any kind of clarification. For anyone who knows about Haven's nature, it's a clear sign that someone has asked the clinic not to respond.
Just starting to respond to an email she'd gotten, Antoinette 's attention is diverted by the pager beep. Her brows lift and then furrow at the false alarm. She tries to ignore it for a couple minutes, because it's probably none of her business...but the curiosity proves to be too much in the end. She finishes up what she was typing and then logs out, snagging her coat and heading back out into the cold. Maybe they didn't want the clinic to respond in full force, but surely there wasn't any harm is taking a drive out to Black Ash Lane with her 'doctor's bag' and just getting eyes on what might be going on.
Sure enough, Antoinette makes her way to the adress on the initial report, and as she approaches, an unsettling feeling makes the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Something is amiss, likely supernaturally so, and it's tangible. To the north, a little into the forest, is a small shack, clearly meant to look abandoned. There is something afoot there, but just from sight, it's hard to tell what exactly.
Antoinette frowns as she draws closer to the abandoned looking shack. She glances at her phone like maybe she should text someone -just in case-, but then opts not to. The car is put in park and she carefully gets out, alert and trying to be quiet if whatever or whoever didn't already hear her car approaching. She draws out her pendant, briefly gripping it before letting it lay against her chest. She picks her bag up and starts cautiously moving forward.
Quiet as she can, Antoinette approaches that shack, and sure enough, she manages it about halfway through when a SNAP in the brush is audible. The early morning light quickly reveals what it is: A small cat, which meows and skitters off. False alarm seems the theme of the morning.
Soon, then, Antoinette reaches the shack. The door is shut, and the lights within are turned off, seemingly like someone tried to make it look uninhabited. However, the inside lack the typical over-growth of abandoned property in Haven forest.
A startled gasp escapes the Antoinette as the meowing cat makes itself known before skittering off. She abruptly tries to silent herself, putting her free hand over her mouth and drawing in a slow breath. She exhales even slower as the hand comes away and she continues on to the shack. She does the cursory peek inside, some suspicion mounting. Everything was trying too hard to look untouched but that lack of overgrowth was the real give away. For better or worse, she starts to carefully try and open the door, not quite vocally announcing her presence yet.
Sure enough, the door sings open. An empty shack, perhaps once a cabin for someone who likes quiet places, reveals itself. A small kitchenette, dusty and in dis-use, reveals itself. A table, in the kitchen, and a small side room, which only has a book-shelf set in the wall, dusty, disheveled books lining the shelves, and a pair of antlers decorating the sides, one at each side of that book-shelf. It's quiet like the grave inside, not a sound to be heard, though somewhere, a strange smell seems to linger. Not quite one Antoinette can place straight away, though it seems familiar, somehow.
Antoinette wrinkles her nose as she takes another sniff. What was that? She keeps the door ajar behind her in case she needs to beat a hasty retreat, but she quietly tries to move forward. "Hello? Is anyone here?" She finally breaks the deafening silence and it makes her want to flinch. "If someone is injured, help is here."
The silence lingers almost painfully, and not a sound is heard in the shack. The smell seems to continue to linger, and finally, the chemistry lessons Antoinette perhaps has had kick in: Sulfur.
From somewhere below the floor-boards, sounds are heard now, leading to the side of the house with the study. Thud, thud, creak. Someone seems to be moving below.
Antoinette pauses, listening closely, trying not to breathe too deeply. Her gaze flits downward, starting to follow the footsteps from below. Stepping into the study, she starts searching for either something that is an obvious door, or a concealed one like the sort she has in her shop. Eyeing the floor for a trap door maybe too. She doesn't try to call out again though. Not yet.
In the study, tucked in a corner, is a folder. It seems to contain some sort of notes, but otherwise, nothing that is legible on first glance. The book-case, then.
One of the antlers seems like it's a lever, and faint markings on the floor seem to indicate this book-case might be swung forward, like a doorway. Meanwhile, those foot-steps seem to soften, though Antoinette's proximity to them make one thing clear: They are approaching... roughly underneath that book-case. She might have mere moments to decide what to do about this. The smell of sulfur is very clear in the air, coming from behind that book-case.
Antoinette goes wide eyed at the prospect of the person or thing coming closer. Now would be a good opportunity to run. She doesn't do that of course and instead tries to position herself to where she'll be behind the door when it opens. She takes her knife from her cost pocket (thank you Malcolm) and tentatively waits.
The doorway swings open, and a large, rather burly looking man, roughly in his thirties, steps out. He wears a long leather trenchcoat, and blakc, finger-less gloves. He glances around the room, pushing the doorway shut again....
"Ah, there ya are." He looks down at Antoinette, easily six foot if not more, and his eyes are a deep, blood-red crimson. "Can I help ya?" He looks down at that knife, utterly, thouroughly, and openly unimpressed. "I reccomend ya put that down b'fore ya hurt yerself."
Antoinette doesn't know if she's more on edge or eased by the fact it's a relatively normal man appearing from the door. She glances to the knife and then back to him, but doesn't pit it away. "I'm from the Clinic." She says in as professional a tone she can manage. "I figured either it really was a false alarm or the whole calvary wasn't necessary." She glances downward and then back to him. "What's in the basement?"
The man looks over to Antoinette, and he grunts. A glance is given to her glasses, then down to the knife again.
"We both know you can't kill me with that, not here." He glances at the doorway, and speaks, casually.
"False alarm." He glares towards Antoinette, narrowing his eyes. "I'm doing cleanup. Thanks for your concern... miss..." He looks at Antoinette, not actually having introduced himself at all.
"Who said anything about killing anyone?" Antoinette asks with a quirked brow. "This is purely self defense." The knuckle white grip on her knife betrays what might actually be going on in her head in contrast to the calm and collected manner she's trying to maintain. She, likewise, isn't going to give up her name, merely saying, "You never know, in this town." She finally, finally, slips the knife back into her coat pocket. "I have a similar door, you know.' She adds casually, glancing back to the door herself as she starts to try and edge away from her position and put a little distance between herself and the man, closer to the exit of the study. "They're handy, even if not completely safe from the right kind of prying eyes.""
"Who said anything about killing anyone?" Antoinette asks with a quirked brow. "This is purely self defense." The knuckle white grip on her knife betrays what might actually be going on in her head in contrast to the calm and collected manner she's trying to maintain. She, likewise, isn't going to give up her name, merely saying, "You never know, in this town." She finally, finally, slips the knife back into her coat pocket. "I have a similar door, you know." She adds casually, glancing back to the door herself as she starts to try and edge away from her position and put a little distance between herself and the man, closer to the exit of the study. "They're handy, even if not completely safe from the right kind of prying eyes." (fix)
"I did. Just now." The man smirks, the red glow of his aura clear: This is someone who has killed, likely recently. He nods his head slowly. "Good. Very good."
He has a wide, sarcastic smirk on his face, seemingly actively enjoying Antoinette's fear. He just lifts a shrug, and nods slowly. "Ya, ain't seen nuthing, deal?" He cracks his knuckles, and chuckles to himself. "Okay. Okay okay. Tell ya what." He chuckles. "Imma count to five, and if yer gone by then, I'll pretend I ain't seen ya either." He closes his eyes.
"One..." That folder in the corner would be reachable... if only the man would not notice. Antoinette might have a chance. Otherwise, booking it would be, perhaps, wise for one's health.
Antoinette considers the situation as it unfolds, suddenly glad that she had the forethought to let her bone charm hang openly. Sam -had- told her that beyond just have the focus, it had to be outward. "Yes, of course, absolutely." She tells the man as she subtle adjusts her backing up to bring her just a little closer to the folder as she runs through what she'd done in the cemetery. That had involved blood. But maybe this didn't need to. She focuses on the idea of escape, of shadows, of smoke and mirrors. She whispers something in Gaelic that could be easily misconstrued as some kind of prayer of protection to the ears of the man as she does a gesture to go with it. Her version of the cross?
In an instant, there's a distraction caused the man, perhaps light glinting off the window or a hazy swirl of shadow in the corner of his eye. Whatever is is, specifically, she will capitalize on it to grab that folder and book it.
The man growls, looking aside, then back in front of him. He lets out an annoyed sigh, and he starts thudding after Antoinette. Scowling, he is several feet behind her. It would be, in this situation, easy to reach the car, but Antoinette would not have to stop to glance behind. This of course is risky, as she would not know what the man was doing. But he seemed hot on her heels...
"I thought you said you were going to count to five!" Antoinette protests without looking back, rushing toward the front door that she'd left open just in case something like this happened.
Antoinette tries to wrack her brain, what else could she do? She vaguely remembered doing a few other things at the cemetery but that involved...more people.
The man stops at the door, letting Antoinette get to her car safely. Something seems to have stopped him, perhaps a change of mind, perhaps something else. Either way, Antoinette is able to get back easily...
Though, if she were to look back, she'd see the light of a phone, aimed at her car. Then the large outline of that man fades, as the door is shut again.
Antoinette acks as the pain runs through her, luckily she's not too far from her car at this point because she stumbles into it. She groans as she sees that little flash of phone camera, hurriedly getting into the car and driving off. She gets a fair ways down the road before she pulls over, deciding to flip through that folder she got after all. Giving it a cursory review she'd draw in a breath and check the time. Maybe riding this high of actually -doing- magic could be capitalized on. She reaches for her phone to send out a text.