Invisible Monarchs/Session3

Yogo: Having just met with Charon at the ghost library to interrogate the Hivesouls ghost, you've discovered that the Seers are searching for Mage Dresden's killer as well, and they know her as "The Hunter", a teenage girl who bears a shocking resmblance to a member of your cabalmates, who is described as both more and less than human.

Yogo: But that was yesterday, and today, you have been asked to meet with Medea to discuss your progress on the investigation and the potential seer involvement.

Alice: Alice's wake-up routine is likely a bit disturbing to the other two, seeing that she wakes up fully by falling /off/ her bed with an unladylike thump into a heap of her own limbs before getting up and dressing herself and changing Crestfallen's clothes as well.

Alice: Then mildly go to the kitchen for food, carrying the Familiar and carrying a magazine or two, full of fashion and 'teen' stuff to study.

Forcas is up since a bit before five and has been finishing a bit of paperwork for his day job while waiting for his cabal mates to wake.

Virgil: Waking up Virgil, throws on several clothes from his neatly organised wardrobe. Then returning to working on last nights page of his comic, which it amuses him to realise shares its name with the Guardian he met yesterday. The page features his protagonist heading down river, trying to avert a war between the various lesser powers of Tartarus.

Alice: She'd be the last to wake up. And breakfast probably being a glass of her herbal tea/Rote.

Forcas: The various noises of life returning to the cathedral annex are his signal to start brewing coffee and tea and preparing eggs and toast.

Virgil: Finishing it, he'll likely stumble down late for breakfast consisting of a cup of coffee and toast.

Alice: "Remember, we do have lunch with your mentor."

Virgil: (And Eggs)

Alice sips the chilled tea.

Forcas: "Good morning, everybody." Forcas folds up the newspaper and lays it aside.

Alice: Crestfallen is sitting in Alice's lap.

Forcas: "Nobody registered any special wishes, so breakfast is somewhat spartan. Not that I could do much better, you know, but I would try ..."

Virgil: "Let's hope she likes to eat late." Virgil looks about half awake before his morning coffee and his hair is a shaggy mess.

Alice: Sip.

Alice: "Why don't you just use magic to wake yourself up?

Virgil: "Because I prefer Coffee." He says taking the first drink.

Forcas of course is clad in one of his immaculate suits.

Alice: "You and every grown-up in the world."

Forcas: "Would you consider 1:00 pm late? In any case, that's when she said she'd meet us. And punctuality is a virtue as far as she is concerned."

Forcas chuckles. "I actually prefer magic ... but coffee is a nice addition."

Virgil glances around for his Suit Jacket. Finding it on a nearby chair where he dumped it late last night. Pulling out a pack of cigerettes he draws one out and pulls the lighter out of a different pocket, dropping the pack back on the jacket.

Alice is dressed in her normal simple t-shirt and jeans, hair down.

Alice: "Does she want to meet somewhere fancy?"

Virgil: "Coffee and Cigerettes, the breakfast of champions." He sits back down at the table.

Alice rolls her eyes, drinks.

Alice: "Sunflower would have such a fit."

Virgil: "Yeah but Sunflower is a dirty Hippy" an old taunt, and one you know he doesn't actually mean.

Forcas: "Not *that* fancy." Forcas briefly mentions the restaurant Medea suggested.

Alice: "She still smokes and drinks coffee. Just really nice smelling smokes and she picks special coffee she said."

Forcas: "Well, there are all kinds of champions. Different breakfasts for all of them."

Alice: "So safe enough for me not shop for clothes."

Alice: "Really need to start selling some of my work on e-bay.

Forcas: "I can never really make out the differences between special coffee and coffee that's just expensive."

Alice: "She says it's organic."

Forcas: "Today that's a label you can put on just about anything to increase the price by twenty percent. As long as you don't qualify what exactly you mean by that ..."

Alice finishes her drink and gets up. "I'm going to go back in my room and see about finding what I can market. Tell me when we are ready to leave."

Alice: "Eeeeh, she took me out and showed me how to know."

Alice: She grins, holding up a finger.

Forcas tilts his head. "With magic?"

Alice: "She likes how it tastes like the Primal Wyld a bit."

Alice: She nods as she stops at the doorway.

Alice: "It's really basic stuff." She smiles.

Alice: She ducks past the door to go do some research.

Forcas sighs. "We'll need to have another try at the 'get an exoteric education' discussion at some point," he says quietly.

Virgil nods.

Virgil: Finishing his cup of Coffee and his cigerette, he's beginning to look more awake.

Forcas: After finishing his toast Forcas looks at his watch. "Do you mind if I take the next Hallow slot? If I start now I can be done in time to head out for a meeting."

Virgil: "Yeah sure. I've got work to be doing anyway. I'm two pages behind and my Colourist is beginning to hound me."

Forcas: "My day job, that is, not our meeting."

Forcas: "Ah, the lazy luxury life of the freelance artist." Forcas grins ironically.

Virgil: "I have a publisher. He just tends to breath down Henry's neck not mine." Virgil grins. "After all he's the one who has the completed product."

Forcas: "Small blessings."

Forcas takes care of the dishes before leaving the annex and climbing the cathedral belltower to enter the Hallow

Virgil: Slowly eating, Virgil glances around eventually noticing Crestfallen whom he offers a small nod of ackknowledgement to

Forcas: There he lays out a small rug with embroidered symbols forming a symbolic summoning circle for Zoroastrian Daevas, veils himself ritually and sits down cross-legged. Meditation on the Path of Scourging, this will take time and focus and patience but Medea was unrelenting in getting him to learn doing the Oblation just right.

Forcas: An hour later Forcas knocks on the door of Virgil's room.

Forcas: "Edgetender Virgil, may I remove two quantities of Tass from the cabal stores?" he asks formally.

Virgil: "You may", he says from his desk where he is busy inking with his tablet. "Do you require me to observe?"

Forcas: "Your choice, but I don't think it's necessary."

Virgil: "Go for it then, as I've still got a couple of panels to finish on this page."

Forcas: "Alright. I'll meet you two at the restaurant then. Later."

Forcas: With the Edgetender's blessing Forcas retrieves two small flasks of water from Tass storage and puts them into his briefcase. Over the course of the morning they will restore some of his personal reserves of supernal energy.

Forcas: A few minutes later both Alice and Virgil feel the Alarm Wards noting one person leaving the sanctum as Forcas goes to work.

Alice: After a bit of time, there is a knock on Virgil's door, JUST as he finishes something.

Alice: "It's about time we get going."

Alice: Once he opens the door, Alice is a bit taller, her eyes a striking shade of silver against her tan skin, her hair much shorter, a very curly pixie cut.

Virgil: "Perfect timing." He places the stylus down.

Alice: "I learned it when I was small." She puts Crestfallen in her purse.

Virgil: "Wow." He says before his eyes grow distant and he mumbles "Silver hair. Hummm... I could use that."

Yogo: Medea and Forcas arrive around fifteen minutes early both, and after the obligatory greetings the two of them are brought to a table in the back of the hall, screened of from the rest of the cafe. As they're settling down and the waiter takes their drinks order, lemon and water for Medea, Alice and Virgil come in the front door, right on time.

Virgil: "Anyway, let me just grab my shoes and my jacket and we'll be off." He does so and they leave.

Forcas has water without lemon.

Alice: As Alice sits down, she removes Crestfallen and sets her on her lap as normal, angling herself so most of the other patrons don't see the doll.

Alice: "Good day, ma'am." Polite incline of her head.

Virgil: "Nice to see you again." Virgil also politly inclines his head.

Forcas: "The other members of my cabal, master. Disciple Alice Collodi of the Free Council and Disciple Virgil of the Mysterium," Forcas introduces them to Medea. "Alice, Virgil, Master Medea of the Guardians of the Veil."

Alice: "And my Familiar, Crestfallen." She adds softly, glancing at Forcas.

Forcas inclines his head apologetically. "Yes, of course."

Alice: Both dolls, familiar and girl, shrug in unison, as if to brush off the slip of mind.

Yogo: Medea smiles to Alice, "Ah, it's...so good to meet you." She thinks a moment, "It's Alice right? And Virgil?" She pauses as the doll is introduced and she pauses, "Oh. Yes. A pleasure to meet all...four of you." She glances at Forcas significantly before she says, "Would you all care to eat before we move on to discussing the matter at hand?"

Alice: "Please?"  :D

Forcas: "The subject is not very conductive to eating afterward, so that may be wise."

Virgil shrugs. His discomfort around the Guardian Master is fairly obvious.

Yogo: Medea smiles, "Very good. I'd suggest the cold zucchini soup, or one of the salads, although everything here is good." She brushes her short hair back from her face and then turns to Forcas, "How's you work going dear? You were working for some Sleeper company, or do I misremember?"

Alice: Alice goes for the zucchini soup then.

Yogo: Medea orders a salad herself when the waiter arrives.

Alice: ... Alice is also discreetly looking at the dessert menu if she can.

Virgil: Virgil goes for potato and leek soup.

Virgil: And a glass of water.

Forcas: looks throug the list of salads on the menu. "Yes, taking up law again. Mostly background and contract work right now, which suits me well - especially since with my contract I don't have to come in to be able to work and can be somewhat flexible. As you can imagine that's a big plus."

Forcas: He orders a chicken salad in addition to his water.

Alice: Alice has water this time.

Yogo: Medea nods thoughtfully, "Yes, it would be. Given your duties as caretakers of St. Boniface as well." She sips her drink and then adds, "And of course, your other duties." She pauses then cautiously says, "Virgil...I believe that Forcas said you were an artist of some kind? This is a bit sudden but one of my students' parents owns a gallery that's looking for local artists to display. I don't suppose you'd be interested?"

Virgil: "I have some work that could use the publicity, so... yes." He does hesitate just a second there.

Yogo: Medea smiles, "Good. I'm certain he'll be very glad to hear it." The food arrives shortly, quicker than you'd expect even in the almost empty restaraunt and Medea falls silent for a while as she eats.

Alice: In between bites, Alice does mention something to Forcas.

Alice: "Spirits, especially Familiars, have a knack for being... beneath notice."

Alice: "A numina most have to avoid detection."

Forcas nods slowly. "Interesting, I didn't know that."

Alice: She shrugs. "It's a Familiar thing, from what Sunflower said."

Yogo: The food is good, and once it's cleared away Medea dabs her mouth and says, "So, I got the report from our mutual friend, but I'd still like to hear what you all have to say about this investigation directly."

Alice looks down at her food and lets the others talk.

Alice: They can reveal how Alice knew about the Hivesouled after the details are done.

Virgil: "As much as I loath to ask, is this the sort of place we should be discussing such things. It is rather public?"

Yogo: Medea smiles, "Your concern is most appreciated Virgil, but believe me. I know what I'm doing. The staff here are all close friends who are...somewhat cognizant of the hidden world, and this place is relativly anonymous. And the only other patrons," she pauses and nods at the table nearby, "Are parents of my students."

Alice: "Wise."

Virgil: "I imagined such was the case but thought it prudent to check."

Forcas nods and closes his eyes for a moment to gather his thoughts. When he opens them again his voice is dispassionate, recounting facts without letting himself be touched by them. "We examined the scene of the murder and found that as many as 14 people were killed there, roughly evenly distributed over the last year. The latest victim, Adept Dresden, was also killed there and in fact tortured at length before that. There was no sign of a struggle involving magic. At the scene we found two sets of biological signatures, one being a small finger cut off with a bladed weapon, the other a set of fingerprints and a knife linked to them and an individual not present by sympathy."

Forcas: "While following up on the body of the deceased we became aware of surveillance by a third party and confronted them. The person in question turned out to be a so-called hive soul in service of Hegemony equipped with surveillance gear, tranquilizer gun and magical tranquilizer."

Forcas: "... before that. There was no sign of a struggle involving magic. At the scene we found two sets of biological signatures, one being a small finger cut off with a bladed weapon, the other a set of fingerprints and a knife linked to them and an individual not present by sympathy."

Yogo: She listens calmly and then nods "A magical tranquilizer? How so?"

Forcas: "While being questioned he was terminated by the other side by way of shooting one of his other bodies. His ghost was caught and put to the question - the report of which you say you have heard so I will not repeat it in detail."

Forcas looks to Virgil to answer that question

Virgil: "Altered. Increased in potency and altered to induce additional effects"

Yogo: Medea thinks a moment and then says, "Interesting." She falls silent a moment then says, "A hive-souled must mean that the Seers were very interested in your investigation. They don't send them out on active duty unless it's very important."

Alice: "I know." Alice whispers.

Forcas: "To sum up, the hive soul reported that it was pursuing the murderer due to her being responsible for a number of killings of low-ranked Seers. According to its testimony the so-called 'Hunter' is a young woman, who is - I quote - 'both more and less than human'. She appears to be targetting mages in particular, which would at least in part explain the Seer interest in this case. Alice has theorized, that the Hunter may be connected to the Seers, which would be why except for Dresden she has killed only Seers."

Forcas: "Furthermore she appears to have the help of some supernatural entity about which no more is known. Despite not being a mage herself the Hunter seems to have an ability to appear supernaturally non-threatening and harmless, enabling her to strike from surprise."

Forcas: " ... Alice has theorized, that the Hunter may be connected to the Seers, which would be why except for Dresden she has killed only Seers - they have been easier to find for her."

Forcas: "The hive soul observed her speaking to the knife we have in custody and calling it 'mother', but apart from the sympathetic connection we have seen no traces of supernatural activity on it."

Forcas: "Our conclusion was that we are dealing with a supernaturally capable serial killer who may have done the Pentacle a favor but is now targetting mages in general. She needs to be prevented from going after Pentacle mages and to that end has to be located and probably caught. We do have a sympathetic connection, but it would be difficult for me to trace. And how difficult and dangerous a capture might be is hard to say."

Forcas takes a deep breath. "Did I neglect to mention something important?"

Yogo: Medea nods slowly, "Interesting. One of their creations gone wrong perhaps?" She taps on the table, "The seers are fond of meddling with Sleepers, perhaps this one backfired on them."

Alice: She coughs very quietly.

Alice: "Very possible..."

Yogo: Medea looks at Alice for a moment then says, "Charon's dissemented your description to the rest of the Pentacle, so if this "Hunter" is seen they should be able to take care of her."

Alice: "I..."

Alice: She lets out a deep breath.

Alice: "There's something else to worry about with this, I think."

Alice: "Because thinking about it, it probably is a mortal."

Alice: "... Stolen from my mother."

Alice: She is clutching Crestfallen now.

Yogo: Medea pauses, "Your mother?"

Alice: "Is a Seer."

Alice: "She makes dolls out of people."

Alice: She shrugs.

Alice: "I remember a year or so ago she was really mad, one of the dolls had been missing."

Forcas: is silent moral support - this is Alice's secret to tell

Alice: "It just came to mind when you said 'creation went wrong.'"

Alice: "Mama is of the Iron Tower too."

Yogo: Medea clenchs her jaw suddenly, staring at you in fear, then she relaxes slowly and says, "That would mean your mother is Puppet. Damn." She laughs slightly, "I didn't even know she had a real daughter."

Alice: Blink, blink.

Alice: "And I don't know her true name."

Alice: "Just to get that out."

Yogo: Medea nods, "I don't even now if she knows it. Puppet is...strange. She's one of the more visible seers though. Her dossier is probably the longest one we have, but we still know nothing about her mortal life or what she's capable of."

Alice: "I don't know if she knows I am Awakened yet. Maybe now, if the Seer who killed the Hivesouled recognized me."

Alice: "I know the Hivesoul did." She relaxes. "That's how I realized he was linked."

Yogo: Medea thinks a moment, "Well, that's a possibility, you really should go out in disguise if your mother is a Seer, dear."

Alice: "What do you think I have been doing?" She blinks her silver eyes.

Forcas smiles at that.

Alice: "Life is helpful like that."

Yogo: Medea pauses and shrugs, "Sorry. I tend to assume the worst. You wouldn't believe at some of the mistakes my fellow Guardians have made in the past."

Alice: She nods in understanding.

Alice: "I'm grateful for you thinking about it."

Forcas: "On that note ..." Forcas frowns, embarrassed. "A rough description of us - Alice in disguise of course - was relayed to the hive soul's handler before he was terminated."

Alice: "But yes, my mother is a Seer. She likes dolls too, but she always thought them very cold and..." She gestures, trying to explain.

Alice: Alice lets her hand 'thump' as if it was lifeless.

Yogo: Medea nods, "It's nothing." She thinks a moment then says, "Perhaps you all should consider seeing someone a little more expert in Life for a temporary disguise, at least for as long as your investigation continues."

Alice: "If it would help, I can try writing a dossier about what I know, if I can see the one you have."

Yogo: Medea nods, "I'll see to it that Charon gets Forcas a copy of the dossier."

Alice: She nods.

Alice: "I... do suggest while trying to find the Hunter, to recall what I looked like when we first met, Ma'am."

Yogo: Medea thinks and then blinks suddenly, "She looks like you doesn't she." She thinks a moment then says, "And your Mother made these dolls? Do you know if she made one like you? Or...pardon me, if you might be a doll?"

Alice: "No, no that."

Alice: "My mother likes to empty people's heads."

Alice: "Then make them into dolls."

Alice: She straightens her spine. "She is not of my Tower. Mind is her specialty, not Spirit and Life like me."

Yogo: Medea nods cautiously, "Yes. Mind is my specialty. And once a head has been emptied, it's not too hard to put something else in its place."

Alice: She nods.

Alice: "And make them happy and perfect for others." She isn't smiling one bit.

Forcas: "In any case the question should have been '"f you might *have been* a doll", since Alice certainly isn't one now," Forcas says with mild reproach. "After Awakening and living an independent, self-determined life."

Alice: "They are still people. Just empty until filled up."

Virgil shudders

Yogo: Medea nods, "Of course Forcas. It was a ridiculous question." She dabs her mouth with her napkin and says, "Anything I can help the three of you with before I head back to my class?"

Alice: As she talks, she is blank, as if talking about tea.

Forcas: "And another thing that might be helpful in locating her ..." Forcas produces the fingerprints taken at the murder scene from his briefcase. "I don't personally have the contacts to see if she is in one of the Sleeper databases, but if she is and it lists her real name, that would make finding her that much easier."

Yogo: Medea nods, taking the fingerprints and smiling, "I'll have one of our men down at the station take a look at it."

Alice: "Thank you."

Forcas: nods his thanks as well.

Alice: Alice takes a deep breath again. "Um. What sort of school do you work at?" She looks at Forcas.

Yogo: Medea blinks, "Oh? It's a private school serving grades 6-12. It's just down the road."

Virgil: "I know we've been trying to interest you in going but with Guardians? Really?" Virgil looks at her incredulously.

Alice: She gives Virgil a look. "What would be safer?"

Virgil: He gives a sheepish look as he suddenly remembers who he is with. "Not that there is anything wrong with that."

Forcas smiles. "My thoughts exactly."

Alice: "Mother never let me out of the house for any reason."

Yogo: Medea blinks and says, "You want to go to the school I teach at? Do I understand you correctly?"

Alice: She nods. "I haven't been to one. Mother homeschooled me."

Alice: "I am not even sure of my age."  :|

Virgil: Just imagining that Virgil shudders.

Forcas: "And an education in the exoteric does a mage good. To escape the Fallen World you need to understand what the bars of the prison are made of."

Yogo: Medea nods cautiously then says, "Well...if you'd like you could come in and take a few placement tests and we'll put you in an appropriate class."

Alice: She nods.

Alice: "That way, I will actually interact with people of my physical age, even if they are Sleepers."

Alice: "And..."

Alice: She lets out a tiny sigh. "Maybe if we can fix the hunter, we can have her there to keep an eye on her too."

Forcas: "Have her where to keep an eye on who? A spy inside Hegemony?"

Yogo: Medea nods cautiously, "Perhaps." She glances over at Forcas though, and her disapproval makes it very clear what she thinks of that idea.

Alice: "In case she relapses."

Alice: She shrugs.

Alice: "It's an idea, that's all. I don't know how to fix headspaces."

Yogo: Medea nods, "It may not be possible to do without killing her as a person. Making her no better than one of Puppet's dolls.

Alice: "Which could allow to fight fire with fire, if you prefer that."

Forcas: "Wait, I thought that was what you were just talking about?"

Alice: "No, I was suggesting rehabilitation before."

Forcas: "Have her back there with the Seers to keep an eye ... oh." Forcas looks bewildered and a little embarrassed.

Forcas: "Either way, we have to capture her first."

Alice: "That's if she doesn't break."

Forcas: "And thoroughly examined and debriefed by the Guardians, secondly."

Alice: "Or we could shove a spirit in there and put her to use as a living doll..."

Alice: "Or a decoy."

Yogo: Medea nods, "I see. Well, I do really need to get back to class. Alice, I'll send Forcas the dossier and some information on the school if you do intend to attend." She tands and sets down her napkin, "Please keep me informed on how your project is going."

Alice: She nods.

Alice: "Have a nice day, ma'am."

Forcas rises when Medea does. "Thank you, Medea. And a good day to you."

Yogo: She smiles, "Lunch was a pleasure Forcas, and so nice to talk with your friends."

Forcas smiles as well. "With happier news next time, I hope."

Forcas: He bows slightly for a goodbye.

Alice bows her head politely as well before gathering Crestfallen.

Yogo: Medea nods, "Indeed, I very much hope so as well." She nods to the three of you and turns, making her way out of the cafe and walking down the road toward her school.

Virgil: "Good bye Master Medea, it has been enlightening." He gives a slight bow.

Forcas sits down again and finishes his water. "So. Are we agreed that capturing the Hunter must be the next step?"

Alice: She nods.

Alice: "At least your Order will get some information on my mother..."

Forcas: "That should benefit us all," Forcas nods.

Virgil: "I guess" Virgil doesn't seem convinced. "But I see little else we can do."

Virgil: "So yes, how are we going to do this."

Forcas: "That means ... Intelligence, planning, execution. Do we have all the information we need and can get?"

Alice: "I say we should think a bit more. I also would like to do some writing on that dossier... and Virgil?"

Alice: "Could I ask you to draw a picture of my mother from my description?

Virgil: "Yes?"

Forcas: "Or rather, will we have once we hear from Medea about the database search? If not, what else *do* we need?"

Virgil: "Certainly"

Forcas: "One thing I can think of is two questions we should have Charon pose to Mosades: Who or what is helping the Hunter? And secondly, what does this 'Uncle' look like? In case we run into the opposition."

Forcas: "Apart from that, is there anything more we need to know and can conceivably find out?"

Virgil: "Well we must locate the Hunter. Is your sympathetic connection enough to locate her?"

Forcas: "With or without her real name, as long as she isn't warded I am confident that I can follow the connection. The only question is how long it will take and how much it drains me and my reserves."

Alice: "I advise we contact Sunflower and arrange for disguises for you guys."

Alice: "Like your master suggested."

Forcas: "I can disguise myself and Virgil as well, the same way I faked those IDs. It will only be an illusion and close attention will see through it, but against a casual observer ... either way, it's another burden on my pattern." He sighs. "But unavoidable, I guess."

Alice: "We should get going before we overstay our welcome~"

Virgil: "Most of this would better done in the privacy of our own home."

Alice: "Yes."  :)

Forcas: "Certainly."

Virgil: (And Screenwipe)

Hawk: Back at St. Boniface...

Virgil: The door opens, Virgil's first action after unlocking the door, is to throw his Jacket over the first chair he comes across.

Virgil: "Shall we proceed with the sketch now then Alice? Or did you have something you needed to do first?"

Forcas: Forcas hangs his light grey coat on the rack and sets his briefcase down beside the table.

Alice: Alice drops her disguise and rubs her neck. "We should do it now, yeah."

Alice: She mentally recalls her mother as Virgil gets set up for the drawing.

Virgil: "Ok then, I'll just retrieve my tools." Virgil jogs to his room and retrieves his pad and other sketching tools.

Alice: "I'm going to see about having some tea, though."

Alice: She says the word 'tea' oddly, almost as if there's something more to it.

Virgil: "Then we shall do so at the Kitchen table." Virgil frowns.

Forcas: "While you're doing that, do you want me to get started on the disguise?"

Alice: "It'd probably be a good idea."

Alice: "But the 'tea' I want is going to be with spirits."

Alice: "Maybe one or two would be happy to speak."

Forcas: "Virgil will have to be where I can see him for a few hours, though, if I am to cover him as well."

Alice: She nods.

Alice: "Why don't you two go off and do it alone and I'll have tea and see what I can find out from the other side?"

Virgil: "So you don't want me to do the sketch now?" Virgil raises an eyebrow and rolls his eyes in annoyance.

Alice: "No, we do that now."

Alice: "I'll do the tea later. I want to have it with spirits that aren't... very nice."

Virgil: "Good." He smiles, flipping open the sketchbook. "Well not exactly good. Be careful with the Spirits."

Alice talks about a very pretty woman, with skin the color of pale coffee and almond-shaped eyes an odd shade of brown. They weren't light or dark at all, something in the middle. Long, long hair, so black it was almost blue, down to her knees and braided always by one of the dolls, other than one trinket Alice remembers always getting to put in her hair, depending on the day. She does remember...

Alice: ...her mother often putting 'veils' on, something to make herself seem different, enough that Alice can remember hiding behind a doll crying at the strange lady until she removed the veil and it was her mother.

Virgil: Sitting down he takes a comfortable position and selects a pencil.

Alice: She wasn't thin, more of round, classical figure, always liked flowers, was...

Forcas: for the next five hours sits in the chair in the corner, eyes half closed with an expression of great concentration. The others' Unseen Senses clearly pick up on the feeling of an imago being slowly and meticulously constructed piece by piece by piece until it is finished and the spell settles over Virgil and himself, changing their appearance around as to be unrecognizable.

Alice: shrugs with the word before she decides to show, not tell, adjusting her stance to suddenly seem amazingly regal... and distracted, as if hearing something else.

Alice: Still, the floodgates have basically been opened; Alice has been talking about all sorts of little details about her childhood.

Alice: It's... very strange.

Alice: Adorable, but it's very apparent exactly /why/ Puppet would have kept her daughter hidden. There's clues all over that her mother was a Seer.

Alice: She also grabbed a journal to start writing as well.

Forcas: As Forcas stands up and stretches he gets a look at Virgil's drawings. "Wow. I have said it before, but you are incredible with that pencil."

Alice: With Crestfallen assisting in another journal.

Virgil: Over the five hours Virgil sketches one very very accurate portrait of Alice's mother, Puppet and several more less accurate ones. As well as a small strip of comics detailing one of Alice's childhood memories in a highly stylised fashion.

Virgil: "Which one are you looking at." He smiles putting the last touch to the multi-panel comic. Handing it to Alice as he finishes.

Alice: She blinks at it, and lights up like a star.

Forcas: "Both, naturally. In different ways."

Alice: The comic is actually one of the happier ones, Alice outside for once, on the porch, with ice cream, asking her mother about flowers.

Alice: The only thing that's a bit unsettling is all the flowers in Puppet's garden have meanings like 'control', and 'eternal,' and 'envy', and...

Alice: There is one flower that's unusual.

Alice: Her mother really does seem to like irises and the color purple a lot.

Alice: And in all of Alice's stories, her nickname is Poppy.

Virgil: "Your mother appeared to have an odd obsession with flowers didn't she, especially for a Mastigos?"

Alice: "They are pretty."

Alice: "And she did like Life a little, enough to make sure no one got sick."

Alice: "She always called them the real jewels of the world."

Alice: "I don't remember her with a lot of shining stuff, othr than some iron."

Forcas: Sadly over the next few minutes Virgil's false appearance slowly melts away like snow in the sun. Forcas curses under his breath.

Forcas: "Damnation. It doesn't work if the false image isn't achored in the mind of the bearer."

Forcas: "In that case the bearer's mind shines through and the inconsistencies let the phantasm come crashing down."

Forcas: After shaking his head Forcas seems to have overcome his annoyance. "Sorry, Virgil. Seems like this won't work."

Virgil: He lights up another cigerette, "I should probably learn a little Life one day too."

Alice: "With as much as you smoke? /Yes./ "

Alice: She grins.

Forcas: "Does it count as an oblation for a Moros? Flirting with Death?"

Virgil: "Yes it does and no worries I have an idea."

Alice: "Then why don't you go old fashioned?"

Virgil: "Hand us a plate would you." He gestures to the Shelf that Forcas is sitting near.

Forcas gives Virgil a questioning look but does so.

Alice: "But anyway, I guess it makes sense if you think."

Alice: She looks at Forcas with a grin. "You guys suck at Matter."

Virgil: As if to illustrate her point the Plate molds and shifts in Virgils hands.

Forcas: "We are luminous beings, you know, not just crude matter. It's no wonder we're not good with that." Forcas' tone takes any sting from the words.

Alice: "So why would a woman who is bad at it want to surround herself with it, when she can have something just as pretty."

Alice: She nods, smiling. "It's all in your head and around you."

Forcas: "Anyway, intelligence update!" Forcas briefly recounts the information from Charon about 'Uncle's' appearance and an unknown mage helping/directing the Hunter. "And we also know her real name now, Mary Grant. That should help in tracking her down."

Virgil: The plate shifts into a pretty but not particularly ornate Ceramic Mask

Alice: "Mary, Mary, quite contrary."

Virgil: "You guys think a Mask will do?" He puts it on.

Alice: "Why don't you put an illusion on the mask?"

Forcas: "It's not inconspicuous but it will certainly hide your face."

Forcas: "Yes, that would have been a good idea ... but my pattern is already strained to the limit. Any more magic and I can't do the tracking spell anymore."

Virgil: "Not talented enough with Prime for Illusions yet." He leans back in his chair. The mask comfortably covering his face.

Alice: "Awww."

Forcas: tilts his head. "Right, so easy to forget there's more than one way to create illusions."

Alice: She thinks.

Alice: "I /could/ give myself a bloodhound's nose..."

Forcas: "So. Now that we known all we need to know, what is the plan?"

Virgil: "Or we could get Sunflower to give me a disguise. Though I have to admit I don't think she much likes me."

Alice: "I think she dislikes Medea more."

Forcas: "Which is why I provide my own disguise."

Alice: "But, we can go and ask."

Forcas: "Trace her, capture her by force, wrap her up with a nice little bow, and deliver her to the appropriate authorities?"

Alice: "I say we bait her first."

Alice: "Also, does the info you got prove she looked like me before?"

Virgil: "This is certainly my first time engaging in Kidnapping so I

Virgil: will defer to the Guardian present" He glances at Forcas

Alice: "It's not kidnapping." She shrugs.

Forcas: "It's an arrest."

Alice: "For all intentions and purposes, she is also a broken doll. This is recovery."

Forcas: "This is not a matter for the Sleeper authorities, this is a magical matter. And since one of the victims was a pentacle mage that makes the Consilium the relevant authority and us the agents of that authority."

Forcas: "And sorry Alice, we don't have a picture of her."

Alice: "It's fine, just wanted to make sure."

Virgil: "Fine, Fine. I've never been part of an Arrest before either."

Virgil: "I've been an Engineer and an Artist. So someone explain to me how this is going to go. As I doubt it resembles much of what occurs on TV"

Alice: "We'll have to play it by ear, I think..."

Alice: "... I think I'll have my tea near where she is."

Alice: "That way I may be able to distract spirits helping her, if they are."

Forcas: "Once we locate her, I propose we make the decision dependant on where we find her. If she is somewhere with no or minimal witnesses, we arrest her immediately. Cuff her, put her to sleep and drive off with her."

Forcas: "If she is somewhere with witnesses then we either wait until she goes somewhere else, or if that seems unworkable we can discuss the bait strategy again. Though that is one that I really don't like."

Alice: "You can tug her along, can't you?"

Virgil: "Your not the only one Forcas."

Forcas: "I can possibly encourage her, yes."

Forcas: "Either way, if she resists we subdue her. Alice, you'll have to stand ready with Life magic to make sure there are no life-threatening wounds, once we have her."

Alice: She nods.

Forcas: "If she does resist arrest, can you two defend yourself?" Forcas looks especially at Alice. This isn't really an activity they should be bringing her along to, but ...

Alice: She points at Crestfallen.

Alice: "Ward."

Forcas nods. "Virgil?"

Forcas: "I should emphasize, that if you don't feel committed to this, or even not comfortable, you don't have to come."

Virgil: "I'll come."

Alice: "Let's get going now. I /can/ heal you guys.

Forcas: "This is potentially a very dangerous situation and if you don't understand the risk and fully accept it, then don't go."

Virgil: "She has killed a lot of people. Even if they are Seers. I've seen the results of her work." He shudders.

Forcas: "Again, this is a person that has killed no less than 18 mages all by herself. Always keep that in mind."

Alice: "Remember she also caught them off guard."

Forcas: "Yes. We are forewarned, we are armed and we are protected by the best mind shield I know how to make. But no matter the preparation, if it comes to a fight anything can happen. Unexpected things *will* happen. I want to make sure you understand that."

Forcas: looks at the others, his expression very serious.

Forcas: "With that in mind, do you still want to come?"

Alice: "Yes."

Virgil: "I understand. And I think I'm ready, after all this was always going to happen."

Forcas: takes a deep breath. "Alright."

Virgil: Fishing the Strip of paper out of his hat, Virgil places the hat softly on the table. Placing the poem inside his shirts breast pocket. Pulling out the rolled up tie he puts it on with little ceremony and smooths back his hair so when it bounces forwards it rolls over his ceramic mask.

Forcas: Forcas quietly and efficiently checks his gun before putting it into the shoulder holster. Into a small bag which he carries under his jacket he packs a few things, including zip ties which he also distributes to the others. Despite the season he wears a white silk shawl around his neck.