Encounterlogs
Fayads Odd Encounter Sr Elias 240806
In the shadow-drenched rain of a stormy afternoon, Fayad encounters an apparitional woman sobbing silently in the backseat of his Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, plunging him into a harrowing journey of realizations and decisions. Despite the weather's attempt to erase the week's oppressive heat, the chill of the unknown sends Fayad into a state of alert, driving through the blurred streets of Haven for a semblance of solace or explanation. Unsure whether he's facing a ghost or a soul trapped between realms, Fayad's practical response is a fusion of fear, curiosity, and a yearning to escape the situation by any means, even considering abandoning his van for the refuge of the community center where he runs a soup kitchen. His encounter concludes without direct confrontation but leaves a lingering question about the nature of the woman in the mirror and the realms beyond the living.
Meanwhile, Victoria's night unfolds with a mission driven by personal curiosity and potential gain, leading her deep into the woods to investigate a supernatural conflict that scorched the earth. Discovering an onyx gem amid the destruction, she finds herself confronting a member of the Destined Host, a cult with apocalyptic aspirations linked to the gem's contained demon. Her interaction, marked by a blend of defiance, curiosity, and cautious negotiation, abruptly shifts to action as she stuns the cultist with a taser to escape with the artifact. Victoria's journey is a testament to her willingness to dive into the unknown for power or knowledge, leaving the story open-ended as to her intentions with the demon-contained gem, a symbol of potential destruction or a tool for unseen purposes. Her evasion is a temporary respite from the inevitable pursuit by those who seek the power she now attempts to conceal and possibly control, setting the stage for further exploration of her abilities and the true nature of the artifact.
(Fayad's odd encounter(SRElias):SRElias)
[Mon Aug 5 2024]
In the gas pumps
Two pumps, each outfitted with a pair of nozzles, rest on the median
between two lanes. Cars can move up and park beside the pumps to use the
wipe down the windows of a car. A trash can sits in between the pumps for
people to empty their cars while they wait. The gas choices available here
seem to be regular, unleaded, and super, with added diesel pump to the side.
gas. Each of the stations has its own squeegee sponge washer in fluid, to
It is afternoon, about 79F(26C) degrees, and the sky is covered by dark grey stormclouds. It's raining outside.
Fayad was driving around town in his Mercedes-Benz sprinter van, trying to find the graveyard through the rain when he gets sidetracked.
While it has been hot and oppressive to most for most of the week, today seems different. A heavy rain that pours down on the sleepy town of Haven seems to wash away the teeth to that heat wave. The rain, coming down so heavily, it makes it difficult to see out the window as his wipers seem to wave back and forth madly trying to keep up. This is likely a large part of Fayad's issue in finding his way around town. The rain makes even close road signs hard to make out. Glancing up in his mirror, he sees a scared woman sitting in the back seat of his van.
Fayad jolts, nearly turning the wheel to crash into something before he maintains control at the last moment, coming to a slow park as he pulls over near an intersection. He definitely doesn't remember giving anyone a ride. He takes a few deep breaths, just as frightened, before inquiring, quietly, "May...I...help you..?", cautiously.
While the woman seems to be crying in his back seat, she doesn't make any indication that she has heard Fayad at all. Interesting enough, when Fayad is looking at the woman in his rear view mirror, he cannot hear any sound from her from her being distraught, not any sound at all coming from the woman. If he looks over his shoulder, she is gone and there is no indication there was anyone back there at all.
Fayad takes a furled blue handkerchief from his pocket and wipes at his forehead, perspiring as if the heat wave had persisted. He slowly puts the van into gear and heads out towards his original destination, squinting, trying to read the street signs while ignoring the woman as much as possible. There were a lot of things he could be, but definitely not any good.
The pelting of rain keeps rolling down on the vehicle, requiring Fayad to keep the speed low. The woman's reflection in the mirror remains even though it seems to be confirmed there is no one actually in the backseat. Driving a long, it can not be helped but check ones mirror out of instinct alone. The woman has buried her face in her hands, clearly full out sobbing at this point. Sobbing completely in silence.
Fayad inhales, exhales. Inhales, exhales. He listens to the rain and contemplates abandonning the vehicle. He makes the familiar turn onto Deadwood Drive, back towards the community center full of homeless people where Fayad runs a soup kitchen. If he can just get there, then leave, he might just buy a new car entirely and have this one towed because Fuck That, Really.
Pulling on Fayad's occult knowledge, something about it doesn't seem like a ghost but more about someone being trapped within the boundaries between the realm of the waking world and the worlds of the dreaming. It seems likely it is someone trapped in the shadowy realm inbetween, the Nightmare.
Regardless, Fayad does indeed pull into the parking lot of the soup kitchen without any real event. The sound of his engine of his van idling and the relentless storm pounding down on the roof of his vehicle.
(Your target and their allies discover an ancient artifact rumored to have the power to summon a powerful demon. However, they learn that the Destined Host is also after the artifact. They must decide whether to destroy the artifact, hide it, or use it against the Destined Host. Along the way, they encounter members of the Destined Host who try to convince them to join their cause, promising power and protection against the impending doom they believe is coming.)
It is August 5th, 2024. Supernatural conflict continues in the shadows world wide. One such conflicts has spilled from the nightmare and into the woods nearby Haven. It is a crisp summer night, heat swelters and lifts as the sun has disappeared. Night time creatures come out of their hiding as the heat abates and begin their routines. The crickets chirp, high in the air. And the order has been received.
Either from her leader, or her own interest, perhaps a message from Venice, Victoria has been tasked with examining the conflict, scouting it out, and making a report.
Victoria heaves a soft sigh, glancing at herself. "This best not ruin these clothes," she murmurs, checking her belongings to ensure she has herself prepared. Taser? It's there. Probably the only thing that would be of use other than herself. She pushes herself off the wall and heads out into the alley to the entrance of the woods, glancing about herself carefully.
Even world ending cults can't seem to get along. Rough two miles out of town, a clearing has been formed from the fierce fighting which spilled from the nightmare into tangible meat space. The Black Flame and someone, Victoria doesn't really know who yet.
The fires are still raging when she mades her way through the woods. Smoke spilling out. Mundanes'll be all over this eventually, but they'll be stymied until she's done what she needs to. The air is rough, but she can manage.
Wisps of embers carry the air. This feels like destruction, maybe it is. But some might say it represents possibility. For something new to grow, sometimes you have to burn some things down. There's certainly a cultist or two who might agree with that sentiment. Maybe someone fond of Victoria feels the same too. It doesn't take long to make it to the battlefield. Though the risk of nightmarish creatures breaching remains. Is this job for her own personal reasons? or her cult? Or a task assigned? Of course, all three make sense but, each offer their own resources...and obligations.
"Fuck's sake..." Victoria coughs, fanning a hand in front of herself. "Sense of smell really is a curse sometimes." Her walking slows abruptly as the signs of the Black Flame show. Her brow furrows, and she turns her head to attempt to discern if she's actually alone for the moment. She's not doing this for her cult, there's no assignment for her. This is purely for self- perhaps a test of her ability. One she seems to momentarily regret realizing magic may be involved, as a grim look crosses her features.
The clearing smolders when she arrives, flames having burned out, blackened earth for near every mile around. Smoke is thick here...and nothing else but scorched and blackened earth. Something glitters in the midst of it all.
Victoria is drawn to shiny things like a moth to a flame, a most unfortunate fact perhaps in this instance. Ignoring most everything else around, she promptly strides towards the glittering object amidst the smoldering to investigate further, dropping into a crouch to see what causes the shimmer.
Smoke stings at Victoria's lungs, but she continues forth across this scorched battlefield, she finds herself drawn to a glittering black onyx gem, catching the light in disturbing and strange ways. It practically hums with power, whether she has such senses or not.
Victoria widens her eyes, and against better judgement she reaches down to pluck the gem from the ground with one hand, turning it over in her palm. "What is this?" she wonders softly to herself, pursing her lips together tightly.
The gem is hot to the touch, scalding Victoria's hand at first. For a moment, her gaze is drawn into the gem, which feels like like a stone...and more like container, something inky and black rolls within it...
"Hey!" A voice cuts through the silence, and pulls her gaze away. A man, with raven black hair, a scorched and scarred torso, and one seriously wicked looking sword shouts at her. "Put it down!" he shouts warningly.
"Ouch!" Victoria grumbles, fixated on that gem for a moment too long it seems, as the voice shouts. She whirls around, staring daggers at the man. "Or what?" she asks, tossing the gem once slightly into the air and catching it within her hand. Maybe a bit of false bravado will suffice.
The man steps forward, maybe fifty feet away at the moment. He focuses his gaze on Victoria, a sharp hazel pupil studies her. "It contains a powerful demon, one which we need," he explains. His remaining armor, a single gauntlet which grips his blade, is emblazoned with the symbol of the Destined Host.
"This tiny thing contains a demon?" Victoria squints her eyes at the gem, holding it up in front of her. A moment or two passes. "Yeah...I don't see it," she shakes her head, looking back to the man. "You responsible for all this?" she asks bluntly, gesturing around her.
The man scowls stalking closer. "An attempted theft of that is what is responsible for this. So unless you want to join the ashes and cinder, hand it over." He hefts his perhaps over compensating sword in an aggressive way.
"No." Victoria says dryly, fingers curling around the stone. She steps back a few paces, and her questioning continues. "What do you plan to do with it, anyway?" she asks the man, looking slightly amused at the size of the sword he has. For some reason this evening, she appears a bit reckless.
He pauses, not far away now, and sets his blade into the dirt. He looks fierce, but wounded, burned. He eyes Victoria, sizing her up. "Back to my people. To utilize it's strength. If you come with me...join us, perhaps we could shelter you from this...impending doom." His eyes trace the sky for a moment. "But only if you come with me now."
"You want to help me?" Victoria blinks at the man, wary and not yet convinced. "Why?" She glances at the sword that now poses no threat to her, and her expression becomes conflicted.
He hisses. "Because if you don't give me that stone, I'll have to cut you down and take it, and others will come soon!" He raises his blade up. "Decide! Now!"
Victoria sighs heavily. "Fine, I'll come with you, but you're not getting that stone," she relents, storing it away on her person for the time being. "And seriously, cutting me up wouldn't do you much good either."
He moves forward to grab her hand. "Alright, let's go then," he hisses softly, apparently moving to path with her.
"Men," Victoria mutters, linking her hand reluctantly with the man's. "Lead the way, sir," she states, eyes staring almost through him.
A moment passes, followed by a sharp breath. "You have spunk, you're the kind of person we need. This world is damned, and demons are the only path forward for us to have any future." He explains to Victoria. "That stone, if you're so attached, maybe it'll be yours to wield, they'll show you how," he exhales. "If you survive."
As the man speaks to her, Victoria gives a sad smile to him, plucking something from her back pocket. With a flick of her finger she presses a button and shoves the object into the man's flesh, pulling her hand from his at the same time the taser hits the skin. She holds it there, button held firmly to pulse electric currents through him for a moment before turning to sprint.
The man is a rather powerful demon warrior, but, even he isn't immune to the old sucker punch. He lets out a hiss then shakes and falls back as he is tazed. Exhaustion and burns from a long battle leads him to a slow recovery, by which time Victoria manages to make its way off. Clean up crew isn't far behind...but one item is missing. It'll gradually draw heat on her but what exactly does she intend to do with it? See it destroyed or...try to draw upon its power?
Victoria turns her head as she continues to sprint, long enough to ensure she's far enough ahead to get away from the situation. The gem is safely tucked within her pocket for now, and she turns, heading back through the trees and out of the clearing. Whatever mess was made, she's getting far away now.
And so Victoria makes it clear. There's sufficient 'smokescreen' to cover her exit. The cultist isn't going to talk, even if he survives whatever is coming next. So, that leaves them, tracking her down for the stolen artifact. The secrets it holds, for now, are hers to control.
Another day, another violent conflict, another opportunity for those with the eyes and will to see it.
Meanwhile, Victoria's night unfolds with a mission driven by personal curiosity and potential gain, leading her deep into the woods to investigate a supernatural conflict that scorched the earth. Discovering an onyx gem amid the destruction, she finds herself confronting a member of the Destined Host, a cult with apocalyptic aspirations linked to the gem's contained demon. Her interaction, marked by a blend of defiance, curiosity, and cautious negotiation, abruptly shifts to action as she stuns the cultist with a taser to escape with the artifact. Victoria's journey is a testament to her willingness to dive into the unknown for power or knowledge, leaving the story open-ended as to her intentions with the demon-contained gem, a symbol of potential destruction or a tool for unseen purposes. Her evasion is a temporary respite from the inevitable pursuit by those who seek the power she now attempts to conceal and possibly control, setting the stage for further exploration of her abilities and the true nature of the artifact.
(Fayad's odd encounter(SRElias):SRElias)
[Mon Aug 5 2024]
In the gas pumps
Two pumps, each outfitted with a pair of nozzles, rest on the median
between two lanes. Cars can move up and park beside the pumps to use the
wipe down the windows of a car. A trash can sits in between the pumps for
people to empty their cars while they wait. The gas choices available here
seem to be regular, unleaded, and super, with added diesel pump to the side.
gas. Each of the stations has its own squeegee sponge washer in fluid, to
It is afternoon, about 79F(26C) degrees, and the sky is covered by dark grey stormclouds. It's raining outside.
Fayad was driving around town in his Mercedes-Benz sprinter van, trying to find the graveyard through the rain when he gets sidetracked.
While it has been hot and oppressive to most for most of the week, today seems different. A heavy rain that pours down on the sleepy town of Haven seems to wash away the teeth to that heat wave. The rain, coming down so heavily, it makes it difficult to see out the window as his wipers seem to wave back and forth madly trying to keep up. This is likely a large part of Fayad's issue in finding his way around town. The rain makes even close road signs hard to make out. Glancing up in his mirror, he sees a scared woman sitting in the back seat of his van.
Fayad jolts, nearly turning the wheel to crash into something before he maintains control at the last moment, coming to a slow park as he pulls over near an intersection. He definitely doesn't remember giving anyone a ride. He takes a few deep breaths, just as frightened, before inquiring, quietly, "May...I...help you..?", cautiously.
While the woman seems to be crying in his back seat, she doesn't make any indication that she has heard Fayad at all. Interesting enough, when Fayad is looking at the woman in his rear view mirror, he cannot hear any sound from her from her being distraught, not any sound at all coming from the woman. If he looks over his shoulder, she is gone and there is no indication there was anyone back there at all.
Fayad takes a furled blue handkerchief from his pocket and wipes at his forehead, perspiring as if the heat wave had persisted. He slowly puts the van into gear and heads out towards his original destination, squinting, trying to read the street signs while ignoring the woman as much as possible. There were a lot of things he could be, but definitely not any good.
The pelting of rain keeps rolling down on the vehicle, requiring Fayad to keep the speed low. The woman's reflection in the mirror remains even though it seems to be confirmed there is no one actually in the backseat. Driving a long, it can not be helped but check ones mirror out of instinct alone. The woman has buried her face in her hands, clearly full out sobbing at this point. Sobbing completely in silence.
Fayad inhales, exhales. Inhales, exhales. He listens to the rain and contemplates abandonning the vehicle. He makes the familiar turn onto Deadwood Drive, back towards the community center full of homeless people where Fayad runs a soup kitchen. If he can just get there, then leave, he might just buy a new car entirely and have this one towed because Fuck That, Really.
Pulling on Fayad's occult knowledge, something about it doesn't seem like a ghost but more about someone being trapped within the boundaries between the realm of the waking world and the worlds of the dreaming. It seems likely it is someone trapped in the shadowy realm inbetween, the Nightmare.
Regardless, Fayad does indeed pull into the parking lot of the soup kitchen without any real event. The sound of his engine of his van idling and the relentless storm pounding down on the roof of his vehicle.
(Your target and their allies discover an ancient artifact rumored to have the power to summon a powerful demon. However, they learn that the Destined Host is also after the artifact. They must decide whether to destroy the artifact, hide it, or use it against the Destined Host. Along the way, they encounter members of the Destined Host who try to convince them to join their cause, promising power and protection against the impending doom they believe is coming.)
It is August 5th, 2024. Supernatural conflict continues in the shadows world wide. One such conflicts has spilled from the nightmare and into the woods nearby Haven. It is a crisp summer night, heat swelters and lifts as the sun has disappeared. Night time creatures come out of their hiding as the heat abates and begin their routines. The crickets chirp, high in the air. And the order has been received.
Either from her leader, or her own interest, perhaps a message from Venice, Victoria has been tasked with examining the conflict, scouting it out, and making a report.
Victoria heaves a soft sigh, glancing at herself. "This best not ruin these clothes," she murmurs, checking her belongings to ensure she has herself prepared. Taser? It's there. Probably the only thing that would be of use other than herself. She pushes herself off the wall and heads out into the alley to the entrance of the woods, glancing about herself carefully.
Even world ending cults can't seem to get along. Rough two miles out of town, a clearing has been formed from the fierce fighting which spilled from the nightmare into tangible meat space. The Black Flame and someone, Victoria doesn't really know who yet.
The fires are still raging when she mades her way through the woods. Smoke spilling out. Mundanes'll be all over this eventually, but they'll be stymied until she's done what she needs to. The air is rough, but she can manage.
Wisps of embers carry the air. This feels like destruction, maybe it is. But some might say it represents possibility. For something new to grow, sometimes you have to burn some things down. There's certainly a cultist or two who might agree with that sentiment. Maybe someone fond of Victoria feels the same too. It doesn't take long to make it to the battlefield. Though the risk of nightmarish creatures breaching remains. Is this job for her own personal reasons? or her cult? Or a task assigned? Of course, all three make sense but, each offer their own resources...and obligations.
"Fuck's sake..." Victoria coughs, fanning a hand in front of herself. "Sense of smell really is a curse sometimes." Her walking slows abruptly as the signs of the Black Flame show. Her brow furrows, and she turns her head to attempt to discern if she's actually alone for the moment. She's not doing this for her cult, there's no assignment for her. This is purely for self- perhaps a test of her ability. One she seems to momentarily regret realizing magic may be involved, as a grim look crosses her features.
The clearing smolders when she arrives, flames having burned out, blackened earth for near every mile around. Smoke is thick here...and nothing else but scorched and blackened earth. Something glitters in the midst of it all.
Victoria is drawn to shiny things like a moth to a flame, a most unfortunate fact perhaps in this instance. Ignoring most everything else around, she promptly strides towards the glittering object amidst the smoldering to investigate further, dropping into a crouch to see what causes the shimmer.
Smoke stings at Victoria's lungs, but she continues forth across this scorched battlefield, she finds herself drawn to a glittering black onyx gem, catching the light in disturbing and strange ways. It practically hums with power, whether she has such senses or not.
Victoria widens her eyes, and against better judgement she reaches down to pluck the gem from the ground with one hand, turning it over in her palm. "What is this?" she wonders softly to herself, pursing her lips together tightly.
The gem is hot to the touch, scalding Victoria's hand at first. For a moment, her gaze is drawn into the gem, which feels like like a stone...and more like container, something inky and black rolls within it...
"Hey!" A voice cuts through the silence, and pulls her gaze away. A man, with raven black hair, a scorched and scarred torso, and one seriously wicked looking sword shouts at her. "Put it down!" he shouts warningly.
"Ouch!" Victoria grumbles, fixated on that gem for a moment too long it seems, as the voice shouts. She whirls around, staring daggers at the man. "Or what?" she asks, tossing the gem once slightly into the air and catching it within her hand. Maybe a bit of false bravado will suffice.
The man steps forward, maybe fifty feet away at the moment. He focuses his gaze on Victoria, a sharp hazel pupil studies her. "It contains a powerful demon, one which we need," he explains. His remaining armor, a single gauntlet which grips his blade, is emblazoned with the symbol of the Destined Host.
"This tiny thing contains a demon?" Victoria squints her eyes at the gem, holding it up in front of her. A moment or two passes. "Yeah...I don't see it," she shakes her head, looking back to the man. "You responsible for all this?" she asks bluntly, gesturing around her.
The man scowls stalking closer. "An attempted theft of that is what is responsible for this. So unless you want to join the ashes and cinder, hand it over." He hefts his perhaps over compensating sword in an aggressive way.
"No." Victoria says dryly, fingers curling around the stone. She steps back a few paces, and her questioning continues. "What do you plan to do with it, anyway?" she asks the man, looking slightly amused at the size of the sword he has. For some reason this evening, she appears a bit reckless.
He pauses, not far away now, and sets his blade into the dirt. He looks fierce, but wounded, burned. He eyes Victoria, sizing her up. "Back to my people. To utilize it's strength. If you come with me...join us, perhaps we could shelter you from this...impending doom." His eyes trace the sky for a moment. "But only if you come with me now."
"You want to help me?" Victoria blinks at the man, wary and not yet convinced. "Why?" She glances at the sword that now poses no threat to her, and her expression becomes conflicted.
He hisses. "Because if you don't give me that stone, I'll have to cut you down and take it, and others will come soon!" He raises his blade up. "Decide! Now!"
Victoria sighs heavily. "Fine, I'll come with you, but you're not getting that stone," she relents, storing it away on her person for the time being. "And seriously, cutting me up wouldn't do you much good either."
He moves forward to grab her hand. "Alright, let's go then," he hisses softly, apparently moving to path with her.
"Men," Victoria mutters, linking her hand reluctantly with the man's. "Lead the way, sir," she states, eyes staring almost through him.
A moment passes, followed by a sharp breath. "You have spunk, you're the kind of person we need. This world is damned, and demons are the only path forward for us to have any future." He explains to Victoria. "That stone, if you're so attached, maybe it'll be yours to wield, they'll show you how," he exhales. "If you survive."
As the man speaks to her, Victoria gives a sad smile to him, plucking something from her back pocket. With a flick of her finger she presses a button and shoves the object into the man's flesh, pulling her hand from his at the same time the taser hits the skin. She holds it there, button held firmly to pulse electric currents through him for a moment before turning to sprint.
The man is a rather powerful demon warrior, but, even he isn't immune to the old sucker punch. He lets out a hiss then shakes and falls back as he is tazed. Exhaustion and burns from a long battle leads him to a slow recovery, by which time Victoria manages to make its way off. Clean up crew isn't far behind...but one item is missing. It'll gradually draw heat on her but what exactly does she intend to do with it? See it destroyed or...try to draw upon its power?
Victoria turns her head as she continues to sprint, long enough to ensure she's far enough ahead to get away from the situation. The gem is safely tucked within her pocket for now, and she turns, heading back through the trees and out of the clearing. Whatever mess was made, she's getting far away now.
And so Victoria makes it clear. There's sufficient 'smokescreen' to cover her exit. The cultist isn't going to talk, even if he survives whatever is coming next. So, that leaves them, tracking her down for the stolen artifact. The secrets it holds, for now, are hers to control.
Another day, another violent conflict, another opportunity for those with the eyes and will to see it.