Loose Ends in London, Part One (Hiram) [Ethanim, Jerrymice, Tom]

<<Scene Start>>

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "All right, this is right after the escapades with Suds of Holy Doom, and the subsequent escape. I think we shall assume that people parted ways shortly after said incident, sending Etseviah and the wounded Aggie off with some of the Kyriotate Jerry's hosts (like the fish) and one of the other, less-wounded, of the various lot. Which would be Babs, Tom, or Ethanim, I believe? Whichever one Hiram thought he could spare. O:>"

You say "(And Fou, of course, being unconscious...)"

<<OOC>> Hiram nods. Yep. Best person to bring along would be Ethanim, if he doesn't mind.

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Ethanim is fine with coming along for mayhem."

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "So, Babs the bouncy Cherub, or Tom, the cat-vesseled Cherub?"

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "It's more 'Reminding someone that being Bad has Consequences'"

<<OOC>> Ethanim shrugs. Consequences, Mayhem, whatever.

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "(You can also drag along one of the Cherubim, if you want. O:> )"

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "If either want to come along, that's fine. O;)"

<<OOC>> arcangel makes the PC pick which one. O;>

<<OOC>> Hiram will let Tom tag along. O;)

Hiram looks at Ethanim. "You want to know the specifics of why I'm doing this?"

Ethanim says, "Malakite oaths?"

Hiram shakes his head. "It's more when I resonated the girl on reception, I got the feeling that she could do a lot better, and the small fact that the manager was likely making her have sex with him just so she could keep her rather shitty job."

Ethanim looks like he might like to say something, but shugs. "Malakite stuff," he agrees cheerfully. "So we rescue the girl and burn the place? Or see if they have bubbles too?"

Tom, trotting along beside the pair, snickers.

Hiram grins. "Nope, no bubbles, although that might be suitably amusing. It's more seeing if the Manager is around and 'explaining' to him the errors of his ways."

Ethanim asks, "If he's not around, we wait for him?"

Tom says, "We got a real job lined up for this girl yet?"

Hiram looks at Ethanim. "If he's not there, either we wait for him, or we see if we can get his home address and make a house call." then he turns to Tom. "Nope, but considering that I only found this out yesterday, I've not had a chance to sort anything as yet."

Tom nods. "We'd better make sure she's got enough to live on, then."

Hiram pages: Considering London was his stomping ground when he was with Destiny, what are the odds that he knows someone in Destiny who would be up for saving someone with good potential to be a teacher?"

Ethanim says, "House calls sound fun."

You paged Hiram with 'You know of a few people, but not in London. On the other hand, if you can make sure she doesn't starve, you can probably use your Cute Destiny Contact to get someone to help out in a month or two.'

From afar, Hiram grins. Very good point that.

Hiram nods. "Yep. They do. Still, have to ensure she's got enough cash to survive a month or two. Most of the people I know who could help her out are either not in London or in The Library."

Ethanim suggests, "Mug the manager?"

Hiram looks at Tom. "You got the Seraph attunement?"

Tom shakes his head. "Just mine, sorry."

Hiram Malasmiles. "Good idea. This vessel is probably very compromised, so doing that's not a bad idea."

It's dark, there are sirens off at the Game-flats... It's a nice little walk -- well, aside from some rather third-rate looking streetwalkers in the area now and then.

Tom points out, "If she receives stolen property, it'd be bad. Gotta make sure it's non-traceable."

Hiram sighs then shrugs. "Oh well, such is life. Can't have everything."

Jerrymouse, on Ethanim's shoulder, squeaks.

Hiram nods. "Yep, and magicing up the odd diamond or two would probably make things really difficult."

Tom meows, "Ayoup."

(And, soon enough, the hotel is in front of the quartet of celestials...)

Hiram gently picks up Jerrymouse and puts it in a jacket pocket. "Right, here we are guys." Then he heads in.

Ethanim follows, holding the door long enough for Tom to slide in and dash under a chair.

It's the same woman as before, who looks a bit startled to see Hiram again. She also looks rather tired.

Hiram wanders over to the woman with a pleasant smile. "Evening. Long shift?"

<<OOC>> Hiram will be getting close before pinging... O:>

She nods, warily. "Do you need a room... again?"

Hiram smiles and shakes his head. "Nope, not this time. Is the manager around? I'd like a word with him, if possible."

Her depths are to essentially prostitute herself for job, for scraps of "affection," for security, until she's going through the motions simply to continue to breathe -- all but a remnant. Her heights are to be a loving, caring woman, with perhaps a talent for teaching, perhaps a calling for religion. At the moment, she's rather on the lower end of things, though easily within human norms.

The woman says, "He's... not available right now."

Hiram aahs. "Is he on the premises though? It is rather urgent that I speak with him."

Hiram .oO(Yeah, it's urgent that I speak to him so that I can point out to him that forcing people to have sex with them so that they can keep their job is A BAD IDEA.)

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "From her own perspective, her greatest virtue is her pragmatism, her stubborn dedication to being a realist and understanding the way things work. This is an overall thing, a thousand little actions. Her worst sin is being too cowardly to leave this job."

The woman says, "I... He's probably in his office right now. But he's not available." She looks a bit flustered.

Hiram smiles inwardly. Now I get (again) why some of the guys who were IST Wind had so much fun...

Ethanim taps Hiram on the shoulder.

Hiram nods. "Okay, thank you." Then he turns and steps back to speak with Ethanim.

The Habbalite leans in and says, "Human lesson. Two guys. Woman at work alone. Is she going to tell us the truth about being alone? Or is she going to turn into a vicious cornered rat and call the cops when we barge into an empty office?"

Hiram nods. "Point. Suggestions?"

Ethanim shrugs. "Leave her alone and break in the back? Wait for Jerry to drop its hosts at the Tether and take her instead?"

Hiram nods. "Second one sounds like a good idea, but lets check that first one out first."

Hiram looks back at Jane. "Any idea as to when he's going to be available?"

She shakes her head. "You can try... business hours tomorrow." She does not sound entirely certain.

Hiram nods. "OK, thanks."

The woman nods, still wary. "You're welcome."

Ethanim heads for the door. Tom is... quite clearly absent from the area.

Hiram turns and heads out.

The door closes behind them. No Cherub-cat is in evidence.

Jerrymouse squeaks and pokes its head out of Hiram's pocket. It waves a little paw at the ground.

Hiram looks around for Tom. "Where'd Tom go?"

Hiram lets Jerrymouse down.

Ethanim says, "I think I saw him slinking around behind her counter."

Jerrymouse runs around in a circle, and then sits on Hiram's shoe.

Hiram nods. "Right. Keeping an eye on her in case something happens."

Ethanim says, "Or hoping to riffle through the files and find the manager's home. I don't know how sneaky it is."

Jerrymouse squeaks. It sounds a bit like a mouse-sized chortle.

Hiram grins. "Could be. Anyway, shall we be checking out the back entrance?"

Ethanim nods cheerfully and cracks his knuckles. "But of course."

Jerrymouse clings to Hiram's pants-leg, but doesn't seem inclined to try to run up it.

Hiram looks down at Jerrymouse and grins before heading off with Ethanim to check for a back door into this place.

Ah, the charming aroma of back alleys. The delightful squelch of stepping in God knows what, if He hasn't decided to forget out of disgust. The murky shadows that could be hiding anything... including a Kyriotate-possessed mouse, a Malakite, and a Habbalite with a slight Discord problem.

It would appear that the fire codes are not entirely debased, and there is a back door. It's metal and apparently locked.

Hiram hrms and looks for door hinges, Swiss Army screwdriver palmed.

Unfortunately, it either opens inwards, or it's got some kind of hinge mechanism that puts the hinges on the inside anyway. Perhaps the wretched manager had someone steal his firedoor once.

Ethanim ponders the door. "I don't suppose either of you pick locks?"

Hiram shakes his head. "Disassemble locks, possibly, pick them? Not really."

(In the not-really-tooooo-far distance, there are sirens -- and so faintly as to be imagined, the sounds of happily popping bubbles.)

Hiram grins and looks down at Jerrymouse. "Listen, they're still playing our song..."

Jerrymouse cackles at a high pitch.

Ethanim asks, "Do we care about disturbance at the moment? I normally would, with all this stuff going on. If we don't, we could have one of you make something metal and pry it open."

Hiram nods, then looks around for something that could be used as a prybar, or something that could be strengthened with a suitable application into a prybar.

Over there... Well, it's metal. It's also apparently a bit of fire-escape railing, and very rusty in spots.

Hiram wanders over to the bit of metal to see if it's usable as a crowbar.

It might be, depending on how sturdy the thing is it's crowing.

Hiram nods and wanders over to the door, looking for good leverage point with the Traditional Engineer's Eye.

Ethanim follows over to kibitz, much as groups of humans might congregate around a car with the hood (bonnet?) up.

To Hiram's Engineer's Eye, the chances are about fifty-fifty that the improvised crowbar will break before the door does. He can spot a few places where the frame of the door looks a bit decrepit, though. A window might also be attackable this way. The possibilities are really endless.

Hiram hrms and looks also at window possibilities. "I give it a fifty fifty chance that the bar breaks before the door. Still, there's always a window."

Ethanim hms thoughtfully and follows along. "And we may not need to get inside. We may only need Jerry to get inside and unlock a windy, eh? I remember a Kyriotate incident, back before Garg left the Prince's employ. It wasn't pretty."

More mousy cackles rise from Hiram's shoe.

There are plenty of windows for the rooms... and finally, one that looks in on where the office would likely be -- except that it's a half-sized window, up at the top. The brick-work looks to have been an afterthought with the rest of the building -- covering up most of the window to prevent criminals from easy access.

Hiram snickers. "I'll bet. Kyrio of War was it?"

Ethanim shakes his head. "Worse. Flowers. Our weapons were _ruined_."

Hiram winces. "Ew. Anyway, I'm going to give the door a brief try. If not, we can always try waiting until Jerry de-fishes and can swipe the girl."

Ethanim says, "Suits me. Need a hand when you've got it wedged in?"

Hiram will be using the more decrepit bits of the frame.

Hiram nods. "Maybe."

Jerrymouse jumps off Hiram's shoe and scampers up the side of the doorframe, apparently to watch.

With a fast jab, Hiram thrusts the makeshift crowbar into what looks to be a weak point of the frame, and leans his weight on it... and goes stumbling forward as the length of metal snaps, leaving a chunk of it embedded in the door.

Brian has disconnected.

Ethanim muses, "Well, that's probably locked them _in_ as well..."

Jerrymouse tsks sadly.

Hiram looks at the remains of the lever. "Oh well. Guess that's what happens when you try to keep things quiet and use whatever's handy."

Ethanim digs at the frame with a pocket knife. "Impatience and quiet don't go well, that's all. Quick, silent, or confidence -- pick two."

Hiram nods. "Yeah. C'est la vie."

Jerrymouse squeaks and launches itself down onto Ethanim's head. The Habbalite, either blase or unwilling to show nerves at a Kyriomouse, says, "Got enough left for another go when I get this bit freed?"

Hiram nods. "Yeah. Or I'll just conjure up a length of metal and do it properly."

Ethanim chuckles. "But saving Essence is useful, too." After a bit more work, he pulls at the rusty bit wedged in the frame.

Hiram nods and grins. "Yeah, that it is. Lord only knows if the manager is one of us."

After a bit of yanking on it, with Jerrymouse squeaking encouragement, the Habbalite pulls the bit free, and tosses it to one side. "More likely a demon, I'd think," he comments, examining his hands in the lack of light.

Hiram nods. "Yeah, probably, but I was referring to 'us' in the whole celestials sense. Still, if it's a demon, good. If it's just a corrupt human, well, they have been known to outdo demons for cruelty..."

Ethanim moves out of the way so Hiram can have another try at the door. "And there's the whole ethereal potential. I'll bet human, myself. Too concerned with keeping thieves out of his filthy den."

Hiram nods. "Precisely."

Hiram places the remaining bit in a suitable spot. "You want to try this time? Sheer strength isn't exactly my specialty."

Ethanim says, "I'm more a knife-man, but I can give it a try if you want."

Hiram grins. "Fair enough. Don't worry then. I'll give it another try."

The metal groans -- but does not break. The door creaks -- but does not open.

Jerrymouse squeaks like a cheerleader. "Squeek SQUEAK cheep!"

Hiram looks at Ethanim. "A helping hand, if you'd be so good?"

Ethanim moves over and leans his own weight on the bar, carefully.

Hiram tries carefully as well.

There's a creaking, a snapping from the doorframe, splintering noises... and then the abused "crowbar" snaps again.

Hiram drats. Lots.

Ethanim examines the remaining bit in the door, leaving the rest in Hiram's hands. It's now... slightly damp?

The Habbalite says, "If we had a bit more of that, we might be able to get it open -- or at least enough of a hole for Jerry."

Hiram nods. "Yeah. Guess it's time to spend the Essence."

Ethanim works on yanking the embedded bit out, jerking it up and down until it's freed. "Just don't go overboard in case any of those firemen are the sort to object to my Choir, mm?"

Hiram nods. "Yeah, they could also object to mine."

Ethanim tosses the stray bit and replies, "Oh, the ones who'd really object wouldn't be putting fires _out_..."

Hiram pages: perception type roll for crowbar shaped lump of steel/iron with Abracadabra?

You paged Hiram with 'Sounds good.'

Hiram chuckles. "Yeah, but I wouldn't be on their specific hitlist."

Hiram spends the point of Essence.

With a chime of Essence, a nearly-perfect crowbar appears in Hiram's hands.

Jerrymouse squeaks in admiration.

Hiram grins. "Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes, you get Really Unlucky."

Ethanim says, "I'll take lucky any day. That looks sturdy. You want to give it a try first? My grip may slip."

Hiram nods. "Ok, will do. Get sliced by a shard?"

Ethanim shrugs. "It wasn't easy getting that first bit out of the door."

Hiram aahs and places the crowbar into the slot.

The door holds -- but so does the crowbar, and the door's not looking happy. Ethanim wipes his hands on the legs of his jeans. "Let's try this again."

Hiram steps back and lets Ethanim have a crack at the crack.

And, finally, the frame goes *SNAP* and the latch of the door rips out of the weakened frame in slow motion.

Hiram listens for the sounds of alarms or running feet or both.

Jerrymouse scampers down Ethanim's clothing and vanishes into the dim hallway beyond the door. Ethanim waits as well.

Despite the single note of disturbance adding itself to Hiram's Essence-use, despite the destruction wrought upon the door... No alarms seem to go off. No feet run.

Eventually, Jerrymouse comes back and salutes.

Hiram grins at Jerrymouse. "What's the word Jerry?"

Jerrymouse chirps and waves its forepaws in what looks like a "come on in" gesture.

Ethanim asks, "You want the crowbar, or should we leave it out here?"

Hiram says "It could come in handy. We'll leave it outside the office."

Ethanim moves a foot to block open the door, and wipes the crowbar off on his jeans before handing it to Hiram.

Hiram nods. "Thanks." Then he heads in.

It's a dim little hallway, and shabby. A few doors line it, and one is part-open to what is probably the stairwell.

Jerrymouse squeezes under one of the doors.

Hiram watches the door that Jerrymouse squeezed under and hides the crowbar.

Silence. After a moment, Jerrymouse pokes its head back under the door and twitches its nose at the pair of celestials.

Hiram looks at Jerrymouse. "Office?"

Jerrymouse nods.

Hiram nods. "Occupied? Number of people?"

Jerrymouse shakes its head.

Hiram nods. "Right. Time to have a look inside."

Ethanim mutters, "Bet he's off sleeping instead of taking the lack of sleep."

Jerrymouse slides back under the door.

Hiram waits for Jerrymouse to move out the way, before trying the door.

The door... opens, with a faint hinge-groan.

Beyond, the room is dark.

Hiram slides into the room and waits for Ethanim to enter before shutting the door and turning on the light.

Ethanim glides in after.

The light shows... a dingy office, with dustbunnies in the corners behind the plastic plants. There's a desk, a Windows computer about five years out of date, and cheap plastic folding chairs to one side. The trash can is full of cheap take-out bags. The only half-way decent furniture is the chair behind the desk.

Hiram looks at Ethanim. "You any good with computers? I'm going to check the desk."

Ethanim eyes the computer dubiously. "Computers are the work of Vapula or Lightning. Either way, they're dangerous to poor little Baalites."

Hiram chuckles. "True, true."

Jerrymouse snickers again, and clambers up to the desktop as well.

Hiram searches the desk and checks drawers for anything of use.

Bills, ledgers, an unimaginative pornography collection, a selection of condoms (rubbers?), a pair of tacky faux-leopard-print padded handcuffs with tufts of black boa-feathers... No money.

A rolodex of phone numbers and addresses.

Hiram hrms. Ledgers and rolodex. What have we here?

Double-bookkeeping, it looks like, but not to the extent it could be. The rolodex has various names in it -- a chunk of them look to be legit repair companies. Another chunk are just names. Some are marked only by stars and are 900 numbers.

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Or the London equiv."

<<OOC>> Hiram nods.

Hiram grins. "Something for the local police methinks. You guys had any luck?"

Ethanim pokes around the filing cabinet behind the desk. "Not yet. Think the home number is programmed on the phone?"

Hiram nods. "Could be."

Ethanim starts poking buttons, starting with the DISPLAY one. Numbers flash on the phone's little LCD screen.

Jerrymouse sits on the computer monitor.

Hiram looks at Jerry. "Could you go find Tom and bring him here, please?"

There are three unlabeled numbers displaying on the phone. One of them is clearly a pay number.

Jerrymouse nods and scampers down, under the door, and to wherever Tom might be.

Hiram writes down the other two numbers.

Ethanim says, "Think we should call? Or do we save crank calls for later?"

Hiram grins. "Later. Much later. Let's wait for Jerry to get back, hopefully with Tom, and then go hunt out the manager."

Hiram looks at the computer.

Hiram pages: Is it on? Password prompt screen etc?

You paged Hiram with 'It's currently off.'

Hiram wanders over and turns it on.

The computer chimes, sounding noisy as a Superior's manifestation after the relative quiet of the two celestials rummaging through the office. It comes up... and displays the usual Windows desktop.

Hiram hrms, and looks at Ethanim. "Any suggestions?"

Hiram will be trying the 'latest used documents' bit first.

Ethanim eyes it warily. "I... have no clue."

The latest thing was a spreadsheet program, Internet Explorer, and email.

Hiram aahs. "Only reason I have a very vague clue as to how this works is because my girlfriend used this sort of thing a lot."

Hiram clicks on the email.

The email is full of spam -- mostly advertising porn -- and... well, not much else, apparently.

Ethanim says, "Your girlfriend's a Sparky?"

Hiram grumphs and clicks on the spreadsheet. "Naah, she's one of Destiny's lot. Had to use a computer for work stuff."

The spreadsheet appears to be more bookkeeping, from someone who shouldn't be trusted with a computer.

Hiram sighs, then writes down the guys email address. Sparkies should be able to have fun with this.

Jerrymouse comes back under the door, and poings up and down. Ethanim goes over and opens the door, letting Tom slide in. "Whuzzup?" the Cherub asks.

Hiram grins at Jerrymouse. "Thanks. You seen someone who looks manager like? We've found all sort of 'interesting' stuff to play with later, but no manager."

The mouse shakes its head. Tom leaps to the desk and adds, "I think the manager's at home. Probably asleep like that poor lass wishes she was, making her check in the hookers and their so-called clients. Got a couple right after you all left."

Hiram nods. "Right."

Tom mutters, "Damned flophouse."

Hiram nods and agrees.

Hiram pages: We got a home address or anything to go on?

You paged Hiram with 'Mostly the phone numbers... Hm.'

Finally, after more tedious sorting through the drawers and desk... An insurance form, with a home address.

Hiram Malagrins. "Let's be going colleagues. We have a target. Out the back door."

Jerrymouse taps on the keys of the keyboard.

Hiram looks at Jerry. "What's up?"

Jerrymouse patters about, spelling out, "got spare forces. want girl questionmark"

Ethanim ponders the address. "Doesn't look like it's within walking range, quite."

Hiram nods. "Yeah. Grab her, then we make a phone call to Judgement and scram."

Hiram sighs. "Guess it's try and grab a cab then."

Jerrymouse snickers and bounds down, heading back under the door.

Ethanim says, "There's that fellow who picked us up before... Though, all things considered, maybe a cab."

Hiram nods. "Yeah. While I don't think he'd have a problem with what we're going to do, best keep this relatively low key."

Far too quickly, a pair of mice come back from under the door. One of them hops up and down on the number keys while the other holds down the shift key. ^$*^$R&^

Tom says, "I think Jerry bounced."

Hiram aahs. "Drat."

Ethanim peers at the fuming mice. "Indeed."

Hiram frowns. "Bugger it all. Let's ring Judgement and hope they've someone with sense on watch."

Tom says, "Oh, this'll be good."

Ethanim perches on the edge of the desk. "Should we try to get rid of all our fingerprints first?"

Hiram says "Well, unless we give them a reason not to sling the woman in jail for working here, she could get done. Crap, anyone got any better ideas?""

Ethanim shrugs. Tom says, "They're all about justice -- is it just to sling her in jail?"

Hiram sighs. "I dunno. Sod it, let's just go and deal with the manager. We can deal with this later."

Hiram smiles wryly. "And hopefully without any collateral damage."

Ethanim says, "Put her in his will?"

Tom picks up one of the Jerrymice by the scruff. The other jumps on the computer's power key.

Hiram says "That's an idea. Anyway, let's be going. This is getting more complicated by the minute."

Tom mutters something, while Ethanim picks up the cat and mouse. The other Jerrymouse leaps for Hiram's hands.

The outside hallway is still dim. There are faint creaking noises from somewhere up above.

Hiram catches Jerrymouse too and heads out.

And out in the alley... Still dark. Ethanim stops, a few paces from the door. "Should we fix that so nothing else comes in while she's there without backup?"

Hiram nods and sets to fixing it.

Hiram looks at Jerrymouse. "I'd appreciate it if you Healed the door, Jerry." And passes a point of Essence back to Jerry.

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "One Essence left, I do believe."

Jerrymouse squeaks and scurries to cling to the doorframe. The other Jerrymouse starts dancing and squeaking, clearly working on a full performance.

Hiram smiles. "Thanks Jerry."

And after five minutes, the door... looks to be in better condition than before the little bit of burglarization, even.

Ethanim says, "I hope we don't have to go back in there."

Hiram nods. "So do I. Anyway, let's go flag a cab and head off."

Hiram looks at Ethanim sideways. "So, Bad Cop or Worse Cop?"

Around the front, most of the cars on the street which are moving slowly appear to be looking for a likely lady of the night... Still, after a few blocks, the pair can obtain a cab. The driver is an older man who clearly thinks he knows what Hiram and Ethanim were up to, and doesn't want to hear about it.

Hiram doesn't even attempt to try and set the cabbie straight and gives an address near to where they're going.

Without conversation, the cabbie drives the pair to the address by as short a route as possible. Ethanim eyes Hiram as if contemplating putting an arm around the Malakite's shoulders -- but clearly decides not to.

Hiram winks at the Habbie, and pays the cabbie once the journey is over.

(Ethanim bats his eyes at Hiram in return.)

The cabbie heads off into the night.

This part of town is somewhat more up-scale than where they'd been, but it's definitely in the lower end of the middle class. The address would appear to be another flat.

Hiram laughs. "So, which would you prefer? Bad Cop or Worse Cop?"

Hiram wanders over to the address and looks for the flat number, and to see what floor it's on.

Ethanim says, "Bad cop. Why not just sneak in and drown him in his bath-tub, leaving a note that he couldn't stand himself?"

The flat number would be one floor above ground number.

Hiram nods. "Yeah. I'm still of a mind to explain to him why what he's done is Bad before he passes on."

Tom says, "Burgle him of everything he has, pawn it, and hand the money to the girl?"

Hiram looks at Tom and grins. "Sounds like a plan."

Ethanim says, wistfully, "Kyrios can't take over people and have them help burgle themselves, eh?"

The Jerrymice shake their heads firmly.

Hiram looks at the door. Letter slots?

Hiram shakes his head. "Nope. Not a good idea at all."

Hiram shakes his head, opens the unlocked door and wanders into the block of flats, and up to the flat.

Televisions mutter behind doors. No one here seems to be having a screaming argument, at least. Tom perches on Ethanim's shoulders as the group heads to the target.

Hiram heads for the flat and looks for ways in to the flat. Hopefully quietly.

The door looks... rather sturdier than the ones in the flop-house hotel, unfortunately. No places for a mouse to get in.

Tom leans over and whispers, "Want me to cry like a baby outside his door?"

Hiram nods. "Good idea. When he opens, we go in. Or Jerry goes in and then opens the door for us."

<<Scene Stop>>

Excerpts

Ethanim says, "House calls sound fun."

You paged Hiram with 'Give me an Int roll?'

<<GAME>> Hiram rolls the d666 and gets 3 4 CHECK: 2.

Hiram pages: missed by one.

<< GAME >> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 3 5 CHECK: 6

Tom shakes his head. "Just mine, sorry."

<<OOC>> Brian says, "..."

<<OOC>> Brian says, "excuse me while I have a moment of rage."

<<OOC>> arcangel hopes it's no her fault.

<<OOC>> Brian says, "Apparently, some people on rpg.net forums think Robin McKinley is 'girly'."

<<OOC>> Brian says, "It is time to crusade for DEATH. My childhood demands it."

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Tell them they're jealous."

<<OOC>> Brian says, "no. nothing less than death will suit for someone who thinks that strong, independent female leads like those in Blue Sword and Hero and the Crown are 'girly'. There must be *death*."

<<OOC>> arcangel heh. But death not in my gaming log anymore, 'kay?

<<OOC>> Brian says, "I kept it OOC! >.> Yes ma'am."

<<OOC>> Hiram gently directs Brian to a Table.

<<OOC>> arcangel still edits out all the OOC stuff.

<<GAME>> Hiram rolls the d666 and gets 2 4 CHECK: 6.

<<OOC>> Hiram WINCES.

<<OOC>> arcangel giggles!

Daimon has disconnected.

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "Next time, Lower CD! Already got all this stuff!"

<<OOC>> arcangel repeats the rest. What were you hoping for? O:D

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "Anything but 6!"

<<OOC>> arcangel giggles.

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Roll again?"

<<GAME>> Hiram rolls the d666 and gets 1 2 CHECK: 5.

<<OOC>> arcangel writes. Writewrite.

The woman says, "I... He's probably in his office right now. But he's not available." She looks a bit flustered.

<<OOC>> arcangel asks for a roll while she looks at Hiram's character sheet.

<<GAME>> Hiram rolls the d666 and gets 6 5 CHECK: 4.

<<OOC>> Hiram fails, whatever it is.

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Owch. Okay."

<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 2 3 CHECK: 3.

Ethanim taps Hiram on the shoulder.

<<OOC>> arcangel slows even more as the time of Bullying Child To Sleep draws nigh.

<<OOC>> Hiram nods. Can pause if needs be.

<<OOC>> arcangel will just be slow, mostly.

<<OOC>> Hiram nods. Ok.

Hiram nods, then looks around for something that could be used as a prybar, or something that could be strengthened with a suitable application into a prybar.

<<OOC>> arcangel asks for... a Perception roll!

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "It's very dark back here. O:>"

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "IIRC MoC can harden stuff up so it survives being used as a weapon..."

<<GAME>> Hiram rolls the d666 and gets 5 4 CHECK: 1.

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "It"

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "Made on standard..."

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "It doesn't necessarily harden stuff so much as, well, make it Weaponable."

Hiram wanders over to the bit of metal to see if it's usable as a crowbar.

It might be, depending on how sturdy the thing is it's crowing.

<<OOC>> fade admires the use of the verb "to crow".

<<OOC>> arcangel grins.

Hiram nods and wanders over to the door, looking for good leverage point with the Traditional Engineer's Eye.

<<GAME>> Hiram rolls the d666 and gets 3 2 CHECK: 4.

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "Methinks that makes."

Hiram winces. "Ew. Anyway, I'm going to give the door a brief try. If not, we can always try waiting until Jerry de-fishes and can swipe the girl."

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Oh, hm, strength roll mebbe?"

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "Was just about to suggest that. O;)"

<<GAME>> Hiram rolls the d666 and gets 5 4 CHECK: 6.

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "Noooo..."

Ethanim chuckles. "But saving Essence is useful, too." After a bit more work, he pulls at the rusty bit wedged in the frame.

<< GAME >> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 1 4 CHECK: 1

Hiram grins. "Fair enough. Don't worry then. I'll give it another try."

<<GAME>> Hiram rolls the d666 and gets 6 2 CHECK: 3.

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "Not as horrendous a fail as last time..."

Ethanim moves over and leans his own weight on the bar, carefully.

<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 3 1 CHECK: 3.

Hiram tries carefully as well.

<<GAME>> Hiram rolls the d666 and gets 6 4 CHECK: 4.

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "The Dice Hate Me!"

There's a creaking, a snapping from the doorframe, splintering noises... and then the abused "crowbar" snaps again.

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "Or the number 6 loves me... Ew."

<<OOC>> arcangel giggles.

Hiram pages: perception type roll for crowbar shaped lump of steel/iron with Abracadabra?

You paged Hiram with 'Sounds good.'

<<GAME>> Hiram rolls the d666 and gets 1 1 CHECK: 5.

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Sweeeeeet."

With a chime of Essence, a nearly-perfect crowbar appears in Hiram's hands.

Hiram aahs and places the crowbar into the slot.

<<GAME>> Hiram rolls the d666 and gets 3 3 CHECK: 4.

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "On base strength, that fails."

The door holds -- but so does the crowbar, and the door's not looking happy. Ethanim wipes his hands on the legs of his jeans. "Let's try this again."

<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 4 1 CHECK: 5.

And, finally, the frame goes *SNAP* and the latch of the door rips out of the weakened frame in slow motion.

<<OOC>> Amber feels sorry for the door. It held in there with such courageous strength!

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Awwww!"

<<OOC>> fade says, "A brave, brave door..."

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "It was a strong door! But not strong enough."

<<OOC>> fade says, "Obviously not a Habbalite door."

<<OOC>> Ethanim smirks.

<<OOC>> Amber says, "Habbalite vs. Door! Tonight on PPV!"

Hiram waits for Jerrymouse to move out the way, before trying the door.

<< GAME >> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 1 4 CHECK: 3

The door... opens, with a faint hinge-groan.

You paged Hiram with 'Mostly the phone numbers... Hm.'

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "A Perception roll for every searcher, methinks?"

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Or at least, all those with hands."

<<GAME>> Hiram rolls the d666 and gets 1 5 CHECK: 2.

<<GAME>> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 6 1 CHECK: 5.

Jerrymouse snickers and bounds down, heading back under the door.

<< GAME >> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 6 4 CHECK: 5

<< GAME >> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 5 1 CHECK: 5

<<OOC>> EDG appears out of thin air, amid a puff of reddish smoke smelling of brimstone.

<<OOC>> arcangel waves

<<OOC>> Hiram waves

<<OOC>> EDG waves.

Hiram nods and sets to fixing it.

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "Engineering?"

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "CorpHealing, Engineering for a patch that could hold if no one really tested it."

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Pick one. O:> The Kyriotate probably has CorpHealing, if you ask for it."

Jerrymouse squeaks and scurries to cling to the doorframe. The other Jerrymouse starts dancing and squeaking, clearly working on a full performance.

<< GAME >> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 5 2 CHECK: 4

<<OOC>> fade awww.

<<OOC>> Ethanim does not impose on Malakim. It's not a question of strength of body and bravery, it's a question of strength of mind to not be a bleeding idjit.

<<OOC>> Hiram snickers.

Hiram looks at the door. Letter slots?

<< GAME >> Arcangel rolls the d666 and gets 2 6 CHECK: 1

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Are letter slots common?"

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "For individual flats?"

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "Is the front door to the block of flats locked?"

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Ahhhh. No, it appears to be unlocked. Perhaps someone stepped out for a smoke or someething."

<<OOC>> Hiram aahs.

<<OOC>> Hiram says, "Letter slots depends on whether the postman is allowed into the block to drop off letters- like if it's a big block or something."

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Ahhhh. He may be allowed in, then."

<<OOC>> arcangel idles a sec. Must wake child.

<<OOC>> Hiram nods.

<<OOC>> arcangel sneaks for a quick snack, too. Blood sugar crashing!

<<OOC>> Hiram can pause here, if needs be.

Leti has connected.

<<OOC>> arcangel says, "Might be a good place for it, actually. I'm about to be distacted, and you could use sleep? O:>"

<<OOC>> Hiram grins. Sleep not needed, but we have been going for a while...

Global greets do not work for non-players.

<<OOC>> arcangel hugs Hiram! Hiram is hugged!

<<OOC>> Hiram hugs arcangel! arcangel is hugged!

<<OOC>> arcangel pauses, then. O:>

<<Scene Stop>>

arcangel hugs, and wheeees!

EDG sits down at Table 1.

EDG snugs arcangel! arcangel is ensnugged!

EDG says "...apparently Alex really has never seen "The Nightmare Before Christmas"."

EDG fingersteeples. "Eeeexcellent."

You say "ooooooooo"