Phillips Harbour
Wednesday, October 28. Afternoon.
Mr. Shaft and Caliban stop by the Red Flag to get a picnic lunch from Gertie and to speak with Miss Mikkelsen before returning to the boathouse. Miss Mikkelsen. looking quiet and determined, agrees to arrange for the unicorn to meet Rev. Hale that evening.
Back at the boathouse, they find Bernice still prone on the floor in the pentacle. Some of the candles arranged around her are nearly burned down to the floor. You said it wouldn't take this long, Slate is saying to Islington, from where the horse stands by Bernice's head.
I said it might not take this long, if she was good. Islington is curled by Bernice's feet, just below the Lens. It's not like she's got a lot of experience, although she did take to leaving her body well. Oh, hey, welcome back, he says to Caliban and Mr. Shaft. Good timing. Can you get some fresh candles and replace these?
Even as Islington speaks, Bernice stirs, twitching, inside the pentacle.
"Ah, I think she's coming to," Herbert notices, having never been clear on just what the ritual was going to involve in the first place.
The chimpanzee nods up at Bernice's awaking. Still want those candles? he ooks. Hey Doc!
Islington circles around, his fur bristling as he sniffs the air. Yeah, I do. You all right there, miss? he mews, sounding wary.
Caliban bustles off to fetch some candles quickly. Fortunately the boss often wants to do some late night reading.
Slate pricks her ears at Islington, but she dips her head to nose at her mistress's face, breathing warm horsey breath all over her.
Bernice blinks a few times, shifting in place... then suddenly throws an arm over her chest and crosses her legs wheere she lies. Once she realizes where she is, she looks relieved and woozily sits up. "I... I'm alright, thank you," she says, cheeks colored. "I made it... not without incident, but he's on his way!" Her relief is such that the doctor can't manage any tartness to her tone when she says, "Though you might've told me that I'd have Old Henry, but not my clothes!"
The woman pushes her rifle aside to hug Slate's long nose as if she hasn't seen the horse in a year.
Herbert holds his fist to his mouth and coughs. "Ah, when will Mister Girard arrive, then?" he asks.
The chimpanzee returns with a small box of long tapering wax candles and, naturally, a nifty candle-lighting gizmo which involves a small reservoir of alcohol and a flint-and-steel arrangement. He offers these for Islington's inspection.
Islington paces the outisde of the circle, watching Bernice. Mmm. Sorry, I forget how important clothing is to you people. Welcome back. Don't get out of the circle yet. That's great, Caliban, jus' set em up where the ones burning out are.
Caliban nods, and sets about replacing them.
Islington adds, You're sure it's Girard that you reached? Not someone else?
The doctor nods emphatically. "Quite positive. This was after I ran afoul of some dark entity that tried to snare me... he came to my aid, and lent me wings to return to.. er, myself. He'll be here as soon as he's able. I think he can get here before the Banefire, though I'm not sure exactly where he is. We spoke quickly." She gives Islington an odd look, then casts her glance to the ccandles being refreshed around her. "Er... am I going back out?"
"Did you let him know the location of the Banefire, in case he can't contact us before he arrives?" Shaft asks.
Oh! The cat's fur smoothes. Lent you wings? Good trick. That explains it. He settles by the Lens of Archimedes and curls his tail around his feet. Naw, stay here. I just want you to wait in the circle until your passenger leaves. Which is probably the wings and should clear soon.
The chimpanzee methodically lights a candle at a time, using the tiny flare on the tip of his lighter-gizmo, then deftly switching old candle for new. When he's done, with five new candles burning tall and bright, he pinches the lighter out.
Passenger, eh? Caliban peers at Miss Townes curiously.
Now that he's examining her closely, Caliban can sense something different about Miss Townes, too. As if there were more of her than there usually is. It reminds him vaguely of Marseilles.
Townes looks just as puzzled. "Passenger? The wings were a... guardian, maybe?" She glances over her shoulder, as if nearly expecting to see those magnificent, feathery arches behind her.
Caliban wanders around a bit. I don't see wings, he complains as if Islington had promised he would.
"Girard's Companion was a gull, was it not?" Herbert asks Bernice. "Could it be its spirit?"
That's because you're not inside her head and astral. Falcon, he says, not that Herbert can understand him.
The chimpanzee frowns thoughtfully. Doc, do you feel anything?
"Falcon," repeats Bernice, for Herbert's benefit.
"Ah, but these wings of yours do not belong to it?" Herbert asks.
Don't know what it -- oh, there it goes. Islington relaxes further; Caliban, too, can feel the 'extra' bit from Dr. Townes slipping away.
The doctor seems to consider the question. "I do... a bit. It seems to be fading away." She looks a little disappointed... the feeling of soaring and speed really was quite something.
Slate noses at Bernice's back, as if checking for wings. I'm glad you made it all right, she says at last. You were gone forever.
Bernice reaches back to curl an arm around Slate's head and under her chin, stroking the horse affectionately. "Was I? How long was I out?"
Three, maybe four hours, Islington estimates.
The chimpanzee nods toward the candles. Time to snuff 'em out an' let the doc out? he asks of the cat.
Islington waits a moment before answering, then nods to the chimpanzee. Yeah, now's good. So -- what's the plan now? Did you learn anything new from the rev. or Miss Pau?
The chimpanzee thriftily pinches out the candle lights and stores them back in the box for reuse. Nothing much useful, sorry to say. No magic shield that'll keep us safe from the Others. The Rev still wants to Close, but he'll talk to the Unicorn. Maybe she can talk him around.
The doctor looks relieved, and gets her legs under herself to stand stiffly, stretching as she does so, and tilting her head back and forth to crack her neck. "It didn't feel so very long... but then, I suppose it makes sense, travelling over such a distance." She listens in to try to catch up with what's been going on.
Personally, I think we should get that stick back from Trouble, the chimpanzee opines. We might need it, an' 'sides, it's yours to hold.
Are you guys sure we don't want to Close? Islington asks. The rev.'s got a point, doesn't he? Look at the people who wanna Open.
"We've brought lunch," Shaft notes. "I'm sure flying about in the all-together for hours on end works up an appetite."
I'm not sure, the chimpanzee admits. Like I said, I'd be happy if we could steal a hundred-year supply of Spirits-Be-Happy an' Close it for a hundred years. But the way it's shapin' up is, we're gonna have to fight these overlords anyway.
I like stealing whatever they need better too. I don't want those guys in my world. Islington's fur bristles. Wish we could figure out whatever it is they need. He goes to Mr. Shaft's feet and looks expectantly up at the picnic basket. His little pink tongue licks his lips.
Yeah, problem is, we don't have it around to test, or they'd be happy anyway! gripes the chimpanzee. He takes charge of bringing out the picnic victuals, setting it out on plates for the humans and the animals.
Maybe we do have it, the cat opines. Just not enough of it. He dives into his poached fish enthusiastically.
Herbert sets the basket on a table, and starts to unpack the food. "I think we have something here for everyone," he notes, including a poached fish for Islington. "I have a notion. Since our tests with Marseilles have shown we can't protect ourselves from possession, I think we may instead be able to mask our presence with the Spirit Lamp itself. At full power, it might prevent those on the other side from fully sensing that the portal is opened, wouldn't you think?"
The chimpanzee grins up at his master. That's sneaky, boss. Then we hit 'em from the side, right?
Bernice touches a hand to her stomach, which reminds her that it is indeed lunchtime, and she nods gratefully at Shaft. "Well, is there anything we've ever knwon spirits to have every thrived on before, besides each other? We druids made a point of trying to live in harmony with them... I should think the Ovates would have noticed changes in their demeanor, but I was never privvy to any of that."
Islington perks his ears. Would that work? Interesting idea ... if it does project what the other side looks like ... huh. Don't we need some way to verify that's what it's doing?
"If necessary, yes," the man says to Caliban. "At the very least, I'm hoping it will afford us a bit of protection, while finding out if the necessary essence will flow through the portal or not, since we'll have spirits with us."
"The unicorn said that the Lamp seemed to mimic the proper environment," Herbert tells the cat after the translation. "It may not be perfect, and even if it draws notice, it will be drawing notice away from us, which is the important thing. We would be moths at the edge of a bonfire."
The unicorn's the one who'd know, Islington admits. The only one who's ever seen an Opening. His fur bristles again. Are you going to put it on full power, or find a way to supercharge it?
The chimpanzee scratches behind an ear. It's already pretty powerful at full, he opines. If we overload it, it might burn out... But then again, if it were like a flash-bang, it might stun spirits. That might be useful.
"Both the Stunner and the Lamp will be connected directly to the Amplifier," Shaft says. "I've no way at that point of actually regulating the power flow. The Stunner trigger will be locked, so that it is always active, and I have no idea what the upper limit is for the Lamp. It may simply become brighter with more power, or reach a point of burning out. It all comes down to efficiency of the radiation coils."
Uh... I don't like that plan so much, boss, Caliban opines.
Wait ... er ... the Stunner will be locked on? And pointed at what? Whom? Islington looks uneasy.
"I will, however, modify the spirit-proof box we have as a shield so that we'll be protected from the Lamp itself. We've got spirits on our side, after all," Shaft notes.
"I assumed it would be simplest to just stick the stunner into the portal itself," Herbert says.
Bernice says, "I'd be worried about damaging anything, myself... we haven't any spares of your equipment, have we?""
The chimpanzee uses a chunk of crusty bread to mop up the last of the stew from his plate. Yeah, boss, but what if they build up a resistance to it? Or what if it stuns someone friendly to us?
"Unfortunately, no," Shaft says. "The only piece I can guarantee won't be overloaded is the Amplifier itself."
"Remember, Caliban, the Amplifier will only trigger on a sufficiently large concentration of spirit energy," Shaft points out. "And since it will be powering the Stunner and the Lamp, it should only power up when a Master-level spirit is present, or else an incredibly dense flow of normal spirits. The lens on it makes it directional as well."
Boss, what I'm sayin' is, the chimpanzee ooks, waving the bread around. It's a fight, the other guy pulls out a broken bottle or somethin', you can't count on them to follow the script an' let us win.
"These are the only weapons we have, Cal," Shaft says. "I don't know what the other Artifacts are capable of, but we do know that the Portal can be closed after it is opened, since it was closed the first time," Herbert says. "If we can't fight a Master spirit when one shows up, Closing is then our only option."
It's not gonna be just one showing up. Islington twitches his tail. They're waiting for this, too. They'll be there in force.
"But will they be expecting resistance?" Shaft asks.
Bernice leans forward, partly for emphasis, and partly to pluck some victuals onto her plate. "Well, not our only weapons... we've some people that are old hands at handling... er, spirits? Magic? Well, suffice to say, we'll have some mystical expertise on hand."
They've had the Door closed on them every last time, the chimpanzee points out. Why wouldn't they expect resistance?
He adds, And this isn't like the first Opening, from what I understand. The Masters didn't know what was going on that time. He flicks his ears back. They'll expect us to try to Close, he admits. That's what always happens. But expecting us to Open and shoot them ... okay, I've never heard of anyone trying that before.
Islington's tone suggests 'Because no one's ever been that crazy' but he doesn't say it in so many words.
"Because the portal was Closed every time, they may assume that there is nobody on this side who could stand up to them," Herbert says. "The more they underestimate us, the better. Knowing the consequences of Closing this time... I'm willing to take a chance, even a slim one, on fighting."
Islington says, You've been working on this Amplifier all month, haven't you? Is it done yet?
"It's finished," Herbert says, gesturing to a tarpaulin-covered table. "The Stunner and Lamp will need to be modified to work with it, however."
The chimpanzee frowns thoughtfully. Okay, let's say the Door opens. We've got the Lamp burnin'. They're gathered at the Door, an' it opens... Into what looks like, uh, their own realm? They look around at each other, all confused-like, an' then go, 'Hey, Bertie, you go check it out.' Bertie walks in, an' trips the Amplifier an' Stunner... Then we start trying to stuff him in the Amplifier while the rest of them come pouring through to save their buddy?
The feline gulps down the rest of his fish, then hops down and pads to the covered table. He slips under the tarp to take a look at it.
"Well, we don't know the upper limit of what the Amplifier can take in," Shaft admits. "The reason for locking open the Stunner is that the power drawn in has to go somewhere. To an Artifact or a device."
Weren't you going to use it to charge up Kara? asks Caliban.
"Yes, our own spirits can draw from the energy flow," Herbert says, nodding. "Possibly even physical beings, in order to amplify their own spirit powers, such as magic. We really need Kara and any allies she brings to be drawing off the excess energy."
Islington pokes his head out from under the tarp. So this thing is going to take the spirit energy from the Masters coming through and channel it into the Stunner so that the Masters will be stunned and more of their energy can be drawn into the Amplifier? Lather, rinse, repeat?
Bernice taps her chin, having been quiet for a bit to eat a few bites. "By the by, has there been any speculation on what the Other side is like? I mean, the actual world? Up is up, the sky is... blue, maybe?"
"It may not be a physical realm at all," Shaft says, and nods to the cat. "If the portal opens fully, the two worlds would overlap, after all."
The chimpanzee eyes the cat-shaped bulge curiously. Yeah, but I'm worried what happens if one of them knocks Kari into the Amplifier, that's why I want it under control, he ooks.
"I assumed our own spirit allies would be behind it, to deal with anything that got past," Herbert says.
It's a fight, boss, the chimpanzee points out again. If they see their friends getting stuffed in it, they're going to try to avoid it, an' either we turn it or they get away.
"Also, Kari inhabits a physical form," Herbert notes. "That should protect her from the Amplifier."
So what happens if the Masters get physical forms? Islington asks.
"Well, they may not know how," Herbert says. "They've never experienced our world or the conditions it represents. And.. well, I'm hoping the Witch Hunters may have some actually useful techniques for preventing possession."
Bernice fidgets. "I think that would be bad." She shakes her head at Herbert. "No, they'll know how. I'm sure of it. It's a fundamental thing for them."
Don't assume too much, boss, the chimpanzee points out. You're blue-skying.
"Well.. there's always the Stunner then," Herbert says. "We do know it can drive the spirit out of a body, at least temporarily."
Except you locked it on earlier, the chimpanzee says.
Kari might know, Islington says. How instinctive it is for them. She was there.
"Well, it could also fry the body itself in the process then," Herbert admits. "We've only ever tried the Stunner at full discharge when you used it on the Manor House, Cal."
Townes continues to ponder this route. "I wonder... do you suppose we could get the Masters to take on physical forms that would be advantageous to us? The Artifacts are Masters in inanimate objects... they don't seem able to do much without someone manipulating the object somehow."
"Are you thinking of using the Hill itself?" Herbert asks Bernice. "If they inhabit it.. well, they're stuck in one place then."
Bernice adds, "And the Hill couldn't extend its power beyond itself."
"We'd need St. John's cooperation for that," Shaft notes.
The woman nods as she and Herbert speak almost at the same time. "Or something like that, at least."
The Hill could do enough that it kept eating more spirits, Islington says, somewhat dourly.
The chimpanzee sighs. All I'm saying, boss, is I'd feel much better if we had some control over this stuff. Point and shoot the Stunner. Choose what to stick in the Amplifier. Locking them in 'on' an' hoping they'll just keep wandering in like good cows into the meat grinder is just asking for trouble, if ya ask me.
"That's true," concedes Bernice soberly. "Well, maybe smaller physical objects, then. Like the Artifacts."
"We'll need to ask Kari how to make some then," Shaft says. "Maybe you should go along with Hale to meet her tonight."
Bernice nods. "I think I'd like to. I should ask her how the death of a body effects a spirit, too. It seems like a lot of things can happen, from the spirit being discorporated, to the spirit forgetting everything, to the spirit remaining behind."
Islington nods to Caliban. Also, the portal's gonna get bigger as it stays open. In pretty short order it's gonna be less like a gap letting a stream of water through, and and more like a lake. Aiming at one spot won't work any more.
Huh, that's another reason we need the Staff back, the chimpanzee surmises as he takes the apple pie that he was warming in the oven out and starts serving up pieces. We might need to damp the Portal down.
"That's why we have to defeat the Masters quickly, or else try to Close," Shaft says. "We should try to find Marseilles as well. She can explain our spirit-blocking material to Kari. Maybe the unicorn will be able to think of a better use for it."
Bernice nods agreement with Caliban. "I -would- like to see it safely back," she says, with only a hint of bitterness in her voice.
"I wasn't successful in convincing Hale to hold off on Closing until after we Opened first. Having another Closing Artifact that we can hold in reserve would be essential," Herbert says, nodding to Caliban.
Doc, you want to ask Trouble for it back? Or steal it back? asks Caliban of Miss Townes. That dog lives up to his name, if ya ask me.
The doctor sighs. "I already asked for it back, and I don't think I have the guile to take it back... but at this point, I don't want to risk our good will. I'll just have to hope I can ask again. In either case, I'm willing to bet he'd bring it with him to the big brouhaha, if not necessarily putting it into my hand."
So the plan is, what, Shaft goes to talk to the witch hunters about exorcisms, we talk to the unicorn about trapping Masters in objects and how to use the spirit-blocking stuff and whether or not the Stunner will work on them? Islington says, trying to get it straight in his feline head. And she tries to get Hale to see the light? And someone else finds the coyote to get the staff back?
Bernice nods a little uneasily. "I think that's a full plate, for now. Hopefully we'll have more to work with when Girard gets here."
Herbert nods to the cat. "What did you want to do in all of this, Islington?" he asks. "It might be best if you and Cal both went to Kari while I deal with the Witch Hunters."
I dunno, he might almost respect us stealing it back, the chimpanzee muses. I've got a little experience at breaking an' entering.
"We're supposed to be allies," Shaft says. "If we can make them believe that, then they should give back the Staff on their own."
Not Trouble, Caliban asserts.
"Bring a steak then," Shaft suggests.
The chimpanzee grins wryly. He may be a dog, but he's not stupid, boss. He'll only give us the staff if it's nothing he can use, an' he's committed to Opening, he knows we'd use it to Close.
Bernice corrects, "He's committed to saving spirits and Mother. How that happens, I think he's more flexible on than, say, his companion." She doesn't even look willing to say the name.
"We need to have Closing as an option," the man says with a sigh. "We can't get Hale's support otherwise - if we can get it at all. We're already compromising ourselves by even considering Opening, so they should at least concede to us a little bit."
The woman pauses, and snaps her fingers. "That reminds me, I'd wanted to talk to Mother."
Well, your decision, Doc, Caliban ooks with a sigh.
Townes bobs her head at the englishman. "It seems only reasonable, but then, not everyone's been reasonable."
Mother? Islington look s perplexed. The coyote has a mother?
"That's just what he calls the spirit inhabiting what I assume to be an Artifact he brougth with him," explains Bernice.
"We'll let them Open if they let us have the option of Closing afterwards," Shaft says. "Without Hale, we can't make that a unanimous promise though."
Bernice reaches out to pat one of Caliban's hairy hands. "Well, I at least don't think the staff will be far away. Like you said, he's not stupid."
No, but he's contrary as Heck, Caliban growls. If it hadn't been for that stupid nightmare thing... He shakes his head.
Maybe when you go talk to Mother, you can steal her and then trade her for the Staff, Islington suggests. He flats his ears at Bernice's ensuing look. What?
Great idea, enthuses Caliban. Can I help?
"These plans do not encourage cooperation," Shaft notes flatly. "Do you really think stealing something from Trouble is the only way to gain his respect?"
Yes?
Bernice looks agog, but she can't come up with anything to refute Islington. Guardedly, she says, "I suppose he'd understand, but... I don't want to lose any more trust. I guess we'll see."
"Islington, as the only independent Companion, would you be willing to take on the task of stealing something from Trouble?" Shaft asks the cat. "If he gets upset.. well, you're on your own. If he admires it.. then you can claim to stand with the others. How does that sound?"
Wait, wait, how come Islington gets to steal something and I don't? protests Caliban.
The doctor looks increasingly flustered. "I don't really want anybody to be stealing anything from any of us! We're supposed to be working together!"
The cat flats his ears again in surprise. Uh. He looks at Caliban. I've been living here since the missus' death and hanging out with you lot since the Game started, I don't have any place to stash stuff that's not here. And Caliban's probably better at this than I am. I mean. He's got hands and all.
Well, it's like this, Doc, we act nice to each others an' we like each other, we're straight players, Caliban explains. Trouble... He got Hale in deep in the Hill, then he freed him. He came over and whined at us about needing to save the Spirits, then he stole the Staff. The way he acts, it's not someone who understands allies an' friends an' building trust.
"I agree, Miss Townes," Shaft says with a sigh. "On another uncooperative note, however, I ask that we keep Girard's return to ourselves for now. If Randall and Trouble think he's coming to Open, they may feel as if they don't need to cooperate at all. If Hale thinks the same, he will be more determined to Close from the start."
"As for getting the staff back, I think we should first ask Ms. Pau to approach Yotee about it," Shaft adds.
Is he coming to Open? Islington asks Bernice. That's what he was originally. If he's coming back, does that mean he'll change his mind and become one of ... whatever it is we are? The Middlers? The Halfway? Oi, my head hurts, he mews.
Caliban munches on apple pie. I like Middlers, he opines.
"He doesn't know what we know, unless Bernice was able to communicate the complete situation to him," Shaft says. "He's already shown that he will put the welfare of others over his own desires. He'll help us fight I think."
"I know, Mr. Caliban... but if we don't adhere to the principle, he'll be even less inclined to meet us halfway, I think. And we really need him to. I don't like his methods, but I'm willing to bet he'll act for our common interests, so as much as I don't want to, I'm willing to trust him with the Staff if he won't put it back in my hand." She turns to Islington and Shaft. "Girard's just coming back to help however he can... I warned him that this is threatening Openers and Closers. I actually believe that, due to the rules of the game, he may not be able to Play in a literal sense."
Bernice finishes, "So he shouldn't be a factor as far as petty allegiance goes." She looks annoyed with the whole idea of allegiance.
"Still, allegiance is important," Shaft notes. "Miss Townes, if you take Miss Pau with you and approach Yotee, he may be willing to return the Staff. He likes Pau, and she trusts us."
The chimpanzee spreads his hands in acquiescence, then starts cleaning up the picnic lunch. Okay, we'll play it straight.
He likes the ghost fox girl, too, doesn't he? Maybe she can talk him into it, Islington suggests.
The doctor looks the most comfortable with Shaft's idea. "I think that's a sound notion, sir. I'll have a chance to talk to Miss Pau if we're going to see Kari anyhow."
Bernice gives a nod in the cat's direction too. "Anything that could get him to act reasonably, even if can't always be reasonable."
"We'll have to inform her of the meeting tonight then," Herbert notes, and goes to pick up the Spirit Lamp. It's still attached to its small battery, and he flips the power on and off a few times in hopes of summoning Marseilles.
But that's not 'til tonight. Are there any experiments you can do with your equipment to see what'll happen if you adapt the Stunner and the Spirit Lamp to the Banefire purposes? Islington asks shaft. And then looks to Bernice to translate his words. I always forget he has no clue what I'm saying.
"Like the other Artifacts, the Amplifier can't be used before the Banefire," Shaft informs Islington. "There's no way to test it or the modifications before then. Even if we tried, there is no source of spirit energy strong enough to trigger it yet."
A moment later, there's a thump at the door.
"Ah, we probably should have saved her some lunch," Herbert says, as he goes to check the door.
The chimpanzee looks up from where he's putting dishes into the sink for washing. S'no trouble, I can rustle something up quick, boss.
Herbert opens the door a crack to make sure it's the girl, and not something else.
A fox dressed in black lace stands outside, tail swishing and eyes glowing blue.
"Ah, Marseilles!" Shaft says, and opens the door to let the spirit inside. "I'm glad you got our signal. Have you been to see Trouble at all recently?"
Hey, Miss Fox! The chimpanzee looks thoughtful at the spirit. The fox side seems awfully dominant for the time being. He decides on setting out cookies and warming up a pot of tea, to encouage the girl side to return.
The fox takes a few steps inside, then turns in a goth fox-eared and -tailed girl. "No! I was looking for him last night but couldn't find him." She wrinkles her nose, and flounces to a chair to sit down, with surprising solidity for a ghost.
"Couldn't find him?" Herbert asks, closing the door. "That could be.. er.. troublesome. We need to talk to him. And there's going to be another meeting with Kari tonight as well."
Bernice gives Marseilles a polite smile and nod of greeting, but stays quiet so as not to interrupt.
"I think he and his Player were out looking for something," Marseilles says. She smiles back at Bernice. "How do you do, Miss Townes?" Her ears perk t the cookies, and she nibbles away at one. "If you find him, I want to talk to him too."
A few minutes later, the tea kettle whistles. The chimpanzee serves up tea for everyone dutifully.
"They may have gone to the Hill then," Shaft guesses, and thanks Caliban for the tea.
"No, I checked there," Marseilles says. She sips at tea, looking like she's in a good mood. "I talked to Alorn and Trouble hadn't been by. Alorn's very nice."
Bernice looks troubled. "I hope Randall isn't still bent on simply throwing the gates wide open with the sheer force of his ego."
Slate noses at Bernice's hair. See, I told you, the mare whispers.
Bernice reaches up to rub under Slate's chin. "I believe you. Desperation makes everyone do queer things. I've still no love or trust for St. John, however."
I don't think Alorn's going to like me, the chimpanzee muses to Islington, thinking of the time he saw St. John and... Interfered with their little ritual.
"Trouble has something that belongs to Bernice, and we were hoping to convince him to give it back," Shaft tells the ghost. "Reverend Hale is going to meet Kari tonight, and it would be best if Mr. Waite was not there as well. The two of them together form a fog of obstinacy that is all but impenetrable, and we hope to convince the good Reverend to help us."
"I haven't seen the unicorn either," the fox girl says. "Maybe she is with Trouble and Mr. Waite. But I don't think so."
The chimpanzee settles in to nosh on a cookie to fill that last little corner of his stomach. What were Waite and Trouble supposed to be doing, boss?
"If possibly, I'd like for you to meet with the unicorn tonight as well, Marseilles, and tell her about the experiments we did with the spirit-proof material earlier," Herbert asks the ghost. "She might have some insights into uses for it."
Herbert shrugs to Caliban. "I know they were trying to contact Alorn and St. John, and apparently did so. Beyond that, they are not the most sharing of people when it comes to information."
"All right," Marseilles says agreeably, taking another cookie. Islington prowls around beneath the tarp again, making a moving lump on the table.
Bernice gets to her feet. Despite the ritual being over, she's very careful not to disturb any of the lumps of wax around the circle she was in, still unsure and uneasy about all this mystical stuff. She brushes up to Slate's side and pats the horse on the withers. "I suppose we have our leave to be out and about then, my dear. Let's find Miss Pau. Even after being in the aether, running with you is still the closest to flying I've felt."