Ororo's ghost story, part 2

[Harbinger]

the gothic church- and its grounds

:: as Mayor Victoria and her capabe assistant, Delilah knocked on the large wooden door. there was no answer. Karen tried once again and found that it was ajar. the two women entered with some reservation. Down a short coridoor, the two women now found themselves in the large "sanctuary" of the church. to behold this place was to look directly into the past of Thunder Bay. the structure, the decor had bee perfectly preserved...beyond the means that mortal men could afford. the irony was that this place had now become a haven for one of the town's most powerfull WITCHES. Would her great grandfather approve? She could hardly care now.::

:: Most churches provided comfort within their walls, but this sanctuary seemed to be mysterious and somewhat intimidating and as Karen and Delilah moved cautiously through the dark hall and passages , from the shadowed corner near a holy water pool, a pair of hands silently emerge, touching Karen and Delilah on their shoulders, causing them both to gasp.::

My apologies.

:: Alison says with a low, cold tone.::

:: the precog, telekinetic witch is dressed in all black, with a few well placed silver accents. a black Dolce & Gabanna leather halter top and black leather pants...with black high heeled boots. she was hardly the image of a nun or a church care taker. she used the dark, gothic feel of the church grounds to enhance her own mysterious persona. she stared at the two women with her cobalt blue eyes::

I didn't mean to startle either of you...not really.

:: walking between the women, she moves ahead and turns back. her presentation was civil enough but the contempt she felt for Karen was hardly hidden.::


I know you're here to discuss the presentation of the statue...but there's something else i want to talk about FIRST. I assume you both saw...FELT the fog last night? how could you not have?

:: turning her back on them.::

Follow me to my office...there's something I want to share with you.::

:: and with that, she leads them through the sanctuary, through another dark passage filled with a few well placed "religious" symbols and figurines and into her private office which felt a bit chilly. Once she directed them to be seated at the large conference table, she sat at the head, and promptly poured herself a tall goblet of HEMLOCK. a WITCH who DRANK in a church...was nothing sacred? ::

Would you care for some Hemlock, Karen...DELILAH?

:: her dark humour showing itself, for they all knew that Hemlock was...utterly poisonous to anyone EXCEPT witches.::

 

[Black Widow]

Sensing a truce, he took the opportunity to flatter her with compliments on her beauty. She couldn't suppress a smile but she rolled her eyes to cover it and gave him a playful shove as they seated themselves at the table.

yeah, yeah, loverboy. Why don't you just keep your mind on BUSINESS, eh? I don't have to be a telepath to fathom the kinds of things you're thinking about now.

She shot back playfully. They ate quickly and mostly in silence, and then got on his speed boat. He manned the controls, she stood at his side, giving him direction to the ship. As they neared it, her brow creased.... she could see it, though it was way off in the distance... she handed him binoculars so that he could see it as well as she.

"That's ODD!"

She shouted loudly over the noise of the speedboat's engine and the sound of the wind passing over them. The ship was AFLOAT.... they neared it after a few minutes [and Haleigh giving their boat a little speed boost] and as Nicolas manuevered next to it, Haleigh tossed the anchor over and reeled the boats together so that they could board. the boat itself seemed fine to the eye.... but Haleigh could detect internal damage congruent with what she'd seen previously.

"Some kind of anamoly.... I'm TELLING YOU this boat has been underwater for DAYS. It suffered SERIOUS hull damage.... it shouldn't be CAPABLE of floating in its condition."

She waited for him to secure their boat and they boarded the tugboat together. Haleigh drew her pistol just out of habit. They explored the captain's cabin.... and the seaweed and cracked gauges supported her assertion that the boat HAD been underwater.... it was just plain CREEPY that it had seemingly RAISED ITSELF from the pacific floor.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

at the gothic church

<< entering the church, Karen adjusted her tailored blazer as she slipped her compact into her coach purse.>>

I thought churches were where you came for comfort. This place looks like something....out of the WITCH TRIALS! [ ]

<< referring to the darkness, the museum like hush, the chill in the air and the ghothic decor. the mayor and delilah walked around slowly, their high heels making the most noise of anything in the large, barrelvaulted sanctuary.>>

<< the large figures of religious figures that stood tall near the ceiling seemed to be watching the two women. Karen noted a few of them and as she neared the baptismal pool...she GASPED as a hand seemingly reached out of no where to touch her.>>

GODDESS!

<< there goes adherence to one of the 10 commandments about "not having any other gods before me" >>

<< Karen turned as she placed a hand on her chest.>>

ALISON?

My apologies.

:: Alison says with a low, cold tone.::

:: the precog, telekinetic witch is dressed in all black, with a few well placed silver accents. a black Dolce & Gabanna leather halter top and black leather pants...with black high heeled boots. she was hardly the image of a nun or a church care taker. she used the dark, gothic feel of the church grounds to enhance her own mysterious persona. she stared at the two women with her cobalt blue eyes::

I didn't mean to startle either of you...not really.

:: walking between the women, she moves ahead and turns back. her presentation was civil enough but the contempt she felt for Karen was hardly hidden.::


I know you're here to discuss the presentation of the statue...but there's something else i want to talk about FIRST. I assume you both saw...FELT the fog last night? how could you not have?

:: turning her back on them.::

Follow me to my office...there's something I want to share with you.::

:: and with that, she leads them through the sanctuary, through another dark passage filled with a few well placed "religious" symbols and figurines and into her private office which felt a bit chilly. Once she directed them to be seated at the large conference table, she sat at the head, and promptly poured herself a tall goblet of HEMLOCK. a WITCH who DRANK in a church...was nothing sacred? ::

Would you care for some Hemlock, Karen...DELILAH?

<< Karen seated herself with Delilah next to her. She eyed Alison with slight disapproval as the woman openly drank in front of them.>>

No thank you. I am on duty, you know that. and what about you? Isn't a little early in the day for that?

<< not afraid of what Alison might say, Karen was not one to hold her tongue and in times past...or OTHER TIMES ALTOGETHER, Alison might very well have been one of Karen's "surrogate daughters" >>

<< Alison informed them of something she had to discuss and then remarked on last night's fog. Karen's facial expression was grim.>>

Yes...the fog. Did you see it? it reached all the way here? Initial reports to me indicated that there was some structural damage to local business, but aside from a few anamolies and phenomena across town such as the...car horns and alarms and objects being moved without anyone recalling having moved them...oh and the animals...we had no accidents reported...

<< she paused.>>

There is a ship that has gone missing, one of Nicolas King's. The coast guard is out searching now. Perhaps they were immobilized by the fog as well...and just couldnt make it back in time.

<< trying to hold on to some hope. she realized she was going on and on, something she tended to do when trying to keep focused and off of negative things.>>

But here i am, going on and on...what is it you had to say, Alison?

 

[Rampage]

yeah, yeah, loverboy. Why don't you just keep your mind on BUSINESS, eh? I don't have to be a telepath to fathom the kinds of things you're thinking about now.

He laughed as she shoved him, seating himself opposite her at the table.

Well you would need to check my pulse if things didn't go through my mind, just as I do not hold your OWN impure thoughts against you, young lady.

In a flash they were on the boat as it's top speed was exceeded by at least 50%. Nicolas took the binoculars good-naturedly as he began to scan the ship as well. Haleigh noticed the oddities of the vessel's condition.


Odd is right. Let's take a look.

Nicolas secured the vessel and boarded with Haleigh. As she brandished her weapon, he searched the vessel with her, starting with the captain's cabin. The damage was completely consistent with water pressure damage, and he got the feeling that whatever did THIS was no trifle. He "spoke" back to Haleigh.

With your permission, let's go back to this mode of communication for now. In this environment, I appreciate being a silent as possible...

 

[Black Widow]

He went back to thought speak purely for stealth reasons... and that she didn't fight him on. She too wanted to make as little noise as possible. Haleigh stood at the helm for a moment, looking out the glass. She could see the coast off in the distance... her brow creased slightly.

seems a little far out for a tugboat, doesn't it? Once they got out of the harbor they would have turned a ship loose and come back.... It would take HOURS for the current to take the Valiant out this far. It doesn't make sense..... you know what ELSE doesn't make sense? the hull is cleanly fractured in FOUR places.... i don't even know HOW it's staying together... it's NOT structurally sound in the slightest. I'm going to 'hold' it together for now, for our safety while aboard.

They moved about slowly, quietly. Haleigh continued to scan the entire boat for an in depth analysis of its current state.

Signs of such a violent end.... The engine shows signs of EXTREME stress.... and it's hydrolocked, which would suggest they were hauling ASS to get back to the harbor and the engine was running when they were.... SHREDDED, capsized and SANK. You think.... the fog had something to do with this? After what it 'did' to your truck.... i'm inclined to suspect so. I don't see any bodies.... but if this ship spent the amount of time underwater that I THINK it did.... anyone trapped aboard would NOT have survived. Maybe they abandonned ship...

She thought hopefully leading the way back out onto the deck surrounding the raised Captain's cabin... looking down at the main deck... searching for....

No.... the lifeboat's still here. Dislodged.... but nowhere NEAR launched. Perhaps we should check the crew quarters?

She was well aware of what they might find and didn't seem discouraged in the slightest. In fact.... she'd proposed it as an option out of consideration that maybe HE didn't want to see whatever grim scene could be waiting for them.

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas nodded at Haleigh's suggestion, his brow slightly furrowed.

Not my favorite thing to do after breakfast, but we must try to find the crew. It appears as it whatever struck at us only grazed us if it could do this to a tug. And it hit incredibly fast...too fast to run or abandon ship. These ships have bilge pumps and usually reinforced hulls that allow for survivability during and after breach.

Nicolas took in the sights silently as they headed towards the crew cabin below. The stench there was already impressive, but he'd been in enough labs that it would be no problem. It certainly did not compare to Pyridine. He offered Haleigh a handkerchief just in case, as he took in his surroundings telekinetically. Light was VERY scarce...

 

[Harbinger]

at the gothic church

:: Alison laughed just slightly under her breath with a smug tone to it. She didnt care what Karen thought of her drinking. She wanted to throw the drink in the woman's face, but then Delilah would get involved and Alison would have to send HER flying across the room somewhere ::

I'll decide when its "too early" to do anything around here...Madame Mayor.

:: said with coldness.::

Now then....

:: after a satisfying gulp of Hemlock::

The fog last night...yes I saw it. I FELT it. the whole town did, but being that you were so busy with that mortal ofyours, Michael, i don't suppose you realized it until it was nearly over.

I was here...watching it creep across the land, it came all the way up here. But after i closed the window...something happened. by more than mere coincidence, i found this.

:: placing a very old, peculiar looking diary of sorts on the oak conference table.::

it's a diary of somekind...very old. The diary of my great grandfather.

:: she proceeds to open it, thumbing through a few pages.::

i've been reading it, and just when i thought my dim view of this town couldnt plummet any further, it has.

March 9 : Met with James Marcus this evening for the first time. He stood in the shadows to prevent me from getting a clear look at his face. What a vile disease this G VIRUS is. He is a rich man with a cursed condition- caused by unspeakable experimentation by a mad docotor who has long since been driven out of town, but this does not prevent him from trying to better his situation and that of his comrades who are also infected.

March 11: Marcus' proposition is simple, He wants to move off Arklay Island and re-locate the entire colony just north of here. He has purchased a clipper ship called the Elizabeth Dane with part of his fortune and asks only for permission to settle here. I must balance my feelings of mercy and compassion for this poor man, with my revulsion at the thought of a colony of people infected with this terrifying G virus only a mile distant.

June 31rst : The six of us met tonight. From midnight until one o'clock, we planned the death of Marcus and his comrades. I tell myself that his gold will allow the church to be built, and our small settlement to become a township, but it does not soothe the horror that I feel being an accomplice to murder.


July 9: The deed is done. Marcus followed our false fire on shore and the ship broke apart on the rocks off Arklay pointe. We were aided by an unearthly fog that rolled in, as if Heaven sent, although God had no part in our actions tonight. Blake's gold will be recovered tomorrow, but may the Lord forgive us for what we've done.

I couldn't read any further.

:: Alison says as she shuts the book, leans back in her chair and gulps more of her hemlock.::

My great grandfather...your ancestors as well...were apart of this.

This celebration of Thunder Bay...it's a travesty, Karen.

Worse yet...i believe...i KNOW the fog last night was a sign of more to come.

:: a whispering wind hauntingly flowed through the open windows around the various areas of the dark, gothic church as Alison glared at them both.::

 

[Seer]

dark secrets

<< Alison was never one to hold back words. And this journal certainly made for grim, eye opening material. It suggests that the original settlement that became a township was made possible by the murder of a group of innocent men whose only crime was that they were victims of biological experimentation! Alison, the town's history AND the only precog in the city had no reason to lie, but would Karen LISTEN? or would she do as she did the last time...as MOST of them did the last time?>>

<< meanwhile...out to the sea, across the waters at sea>>

<< Nicolas and his young guest, Haleigh made their way on board the vessel, discovering more than immediately met the eye. Something happened definately, but neither one of them could entire understand WHAT. But beneath the loss of logic, there was a nagging feeling that Nicolas had. He'd seen this before, whether he wanted to believe it or not. His wife's yacht. He'd purchased it for Alycia after becoming the major interest holder of this town's shipping operations. Alycia loved to entertain on the yacht and had many moonlight at sea parties and such. one night...one horrid night, a fog came and the ship disappeared, lost at sea just as this one seemingly was...but 3 days later it was discovered in much the same state as this one...and those who were found on board were DEAD...suffering from horrid wounds and effects consistent with having drowned MONTHS ago and yet it had only been three days. Alycia Barnett's eyes had been gouged out. Cameron King's throat had been crushed, Chrisopher Victory's thorax was crushed and his lungs filled with fluid...and Robert Kelly's body was a horrid, bloated, mutilated mess. But none of these injuries was consistent with DROWNING. it was as if they'd been pulled underwater, brutalized and THEN left to drown, but no one but Alison seemed to entertain that idea, the MAIN reason she didnt speak to half of them now.>>

<< It was a massive tragedy that the town had managed to..."bury" in its collective consciousness. Everyone from Karen to Nicolas himself played a role in not only attempting to recover but to CONCEAL this from outside cities or the press. They agreed they would handle it themselves, but all they reallly did...was cover it up in their own minds. Going through the motions of burying/cremating etc. It seemed that one generation after the next continued to some how mirror the mistakes and sins of the founding generation.>>

<< Haleigh had called Nicolas out on the fog this morning before they reached an understanding and he never answered her. how COULD a fog move against the wind? WHAT could have caused their near fatal spin out? He didnt even answer to HIMSELF how he could have heard his dead wife's voice, FELT her spirit. If he was going to be able to count on Haleigh to help..he'd have to tell her the truth...about everything he knew. This was MORE than a coincidence now.>>

<< Haleigh had no idea just what she was getting herself into now. This was a DIFFERENT kind of nightmare forming...the kind that she had no immediate control over and the longer she stayed, the deeper she'd get.>>

<< the two young people could find no signs of bodies yet. the crew's quaters all looked as though they'd been ransacked, turned upside down literally. After a while, They decided to sit down where they could, waiting for the bay patrol and the coast guard to arrival to recover the ship. now was as good a time as any to talk...to share some secrets...and to further strengthen the trust they'd BOTH need to survive the coming night.>>

back on land and in town

<< Morgan and Ava were moving through their day. At the spa, both women heard Sharon's voice on the radio station- RSK FM (Rober/Sharon Kelly...) She was reporting the loss of the ship and that the crew had not yet been found. She also reported on the fog of last night and that no accidents or fatal injuries had occurred.>>

<< the mention of the missing ship conjured memories for Morgan and Ava, who both lost people on the Alycia's yacht.>>

<< after the spa and the shopping, there was nothing left on their immediate list of indulgences for the afternoon. They now had time for themselves...but only a precious few hours before they prepared for many of tonights festivities.>>

 

[Silver Swan]

at the Arklay lighthouse

[ during the day, Sharon played a nice well rounded assortment of music. Some pop, a little r&b, some top 40, and some smooth jazz. She was well versed in musical genres and being a singer/entertainer herself...she knew what radio listeners DIDNT want was monotany. During the day she often used prerecorded voice segments of herself, so as to allow time to do paper work, write out checks etc. it was a very busy job, but one she loved. this work still allowed her to retain a link to the music industry, which is what she loved...and owning the radio station, the lighthouse...that gave her security.]



[ still, nothing could completely take away the pain of loss, the worry for herself and her son now that Robert was gone. Sure Sharon was beautifull AND tough, stronger than she looked, LITERALLY....able to bench press more than many top shape military man. She could fly, and shatter glass with her voice...but that night, not so long ago, none of that meant anything...none of that could bring ROBERT back.]

[ reporting the loss of Valiant and its missing crew gave her no joy, but she was one of the main sources of news and updates for the town, often working with the weather service satellite office in Thunder Bay , the news channel, the police or even the Mayor herself. ]

[ as reports came in through fax or email, Sharon was able to immediately verify them with Bay patrol and Mike before she broadcast updates on the situation with the Valiant.]

[inside the light house, her normally bright face was darkened by somber thoughts...of the fog, and how eerie it felt. how suddenly she wasnt so comfortable with having a house right off the ocean. she remembered how she heard what sounded like voices, jumbled and incoherent at first but then ROBERTS spoke above the rest to her! she had no idea yet that Nicolas and Karen had experienced the same thing.]

[ a phone call comes through on the private line. It's Blaze.]

on the phone: RKS. Yes, Blaze, what is it?

[ Sharon listens as Blaze explains the unsual gold coin. With all the unsual occurrences from last night, could she afford NOT to consider what Blaze just said about a gold coin transforming into a piece of drift wood and then back??]

Okay...put it in my room. Let Kyle know that I have to look at it first before he can see it again and Blaze, keep him on the deck...don't let him back out onto the beach okay? Thank you so much and I'll see you in a few more hours!

[ Sharon bid Blaze goodbye with a pleasant tone but as she hung up the phone, she slowly turned in her plush swivel chair and looked out over the ocean from the lighthouse...]

what is going on?? what arent we ...seeing...HEARING?

[ she wonders. or maybe she's overly nervous. maybe its nothing more than stress over the upcoming events.]

[ she knows its not merely that, but for now, until she can see the coin for herself, she doesnt go too far with speculation.]

 

[Spellbinder]

leaving the downtown area

<< the day went well enough, but the skies were grey and it seemed a bit dull and dreary out. thunder rumbled in the grey skies, it threatened to rain, but Ava held it off without making it look TOO obvious. After all, if their hair and skin got rained on, it would totally defeat the purpose of the day spent in the spa! >>

Well, we've got our clothes, accessories, everything we need. but everyone is acting so GLUM now. Let's get the hell out of here....we'll go back to my house for a while for a cocktail.

<< driving a LITTLE less wildly , the witch and the weather manipulator leave downtown.>>

<< in the car.>>

It's like the skies reflect the mood of the town! This could put a serious damper on tonight's activities.

<< driving along the winding roads. Morgan can't help but think about the report of the valiant.>>

That ship, the one that the Silver Swan was talking about...it makes me think about Alycia's yacht, the Pretty Lady.

<< the zoom along, dusting up some leaves as the car handles the roads well.>>

Look, I'm glad i didnt say anything earlier, with that buffoon, Michael lurking around...but last night, I thought...i thought I heard my FATHER'S voice when i was watching the fog from the open window. He's the one that i thought was WATCHING ME!

<< she looks at Ava briefly.>>

Did you hear anything last night? The only other person i talked to about it was my mother, and she didnt say anything. I remember...how she dismissed what Alison Marble said...that the yacht was no accident and my mom just totally shut her down. They havent hardly spoken sense...

But what am i supposed to tell her? that i heard voices and felt like i was being watched? A bitch i might be...but INSANE I am not!

<< in public, these two divas were bitches...but they usually showed the more substantial sides of themselves to one another , or Blaze...or even Delilah.>>

Last thing I need is for her to have that bumbling boob, Michael or one of his pigs in a uniform trailing me "for my protection".

 

[Shadow Weaver]

at the gothic church

<< Karen and Delilah sat, both women were almost transfixed by what Alison had read.>>

<< For her part, Karen found Alison's cold and almost cruel delight in reading this to be too much to bear. The woman was legendary at holding grudges, but Karen could only take so much.>>

<< there was silence as Alison told Karen the celebration of Thunder Bay was a travesty. it was almost impossible to tell that any one of them was BREATHING. only the sound of the massive, curiously designed grandfather clock could be heard in the distance until...it TOLLS mournfully indicating that it was late in the afternoon. Karen jumped a bit as the clock played its haunting tones.>>

Looking at Alison. "Your great grandfather had a way with words..."

<< Karen composed herself and lookd at Delilah then at Alison.>>

What are you saying Alison? That I should abandon everything that has been prepared thus far because of this dark story you've just told me?

<< she looks at the journal, it looked and FELT old.>>

Or is this is another way you've come up with to try to suggest that I am being short sighted yet again?

<< they all knew what Karen was referring to.>>

 

[Harbinger]

inside the church

:: Alison sat back to the table, taking smug pleasure in watching Karen jump at the sudden sound of the massive grandfather clock.::

:: Delilah dead panned about the journal entries, prompting an eyeroll from the precog historian.::

I imagine it wasnt hard to convey the GUILT he was feeling about an obvious ERROR in judgement.

:: another dig at Karen as the woman went on the defensive.::

I believe what I said is what we all heard come out of my mouth. I had something that i felt necessary to share with the mayor of this town, considering that its a compelling piece of its HISTORY.

You're about to celebrate MURDER, Karen.

And as for weather or not you're being short sighted? perhaps that is the GUILT that you and the others who went along with you feel about OTHER ISSUES. Isnt it funny how these entries paint a picture similar to the one that happened to the yacht? not quite the same ...as there was no plot, but the FOG was certainly the same.

But do i think you're being short sighted? :: exhaling with laughter as she takes another drink, clearly buzzed.:: since WHEN have you ever cared about what anyone else THINKS? oh unless its down to your approval rating!

 

[Rampage]

on the Valiant

As they searched the crew cabins, they found nothing of note. They went topside to sit and wait while he notified Sea Patrol to where the ship had been found. As they sat topside, he was nagged by a feeling of deja vu, something that was nagging at him, something he couldn't put his finger on.

Then...WHAM!!! It hit hi like a ton of bricks. He KNEW where he had seen this last, had hoped that it was not the same as THAT, but he realized as he sat there, head in his hands, what seemed to be happening. He looked at Haleigh, his mouth set grimly, and shook his head. Then he spoke to her, his voice shattering the silence between them.

You know...last night, in the fog, I thought I heard something. But I put it away, thought it was CRAZY, unbelievable. Last night, in that fog Haleigh, I heard the voice of my late wife, Alycia. Not so long ago, she and some of her friends were lost on her yacht, dead...it took us THREE days to find them, but it looked as if they had been gone a month. I will never forget that day, though at the same time, I never wanted to remember it. It was the worst day of my life, of the lives of many people here. I apologize for not putting it together before...here is all that I remember, I think this may be linked...

Nicolas transmits what he remembers about that day to Haleigh, sending it in a neat little packet, a facsimile of the way he noticed her mind stored information on its own...but piggybacked on that transmission was a share of his grief, his loneliness (despite Morgan's OCCASIONAL company), and his shame over not being able to help Alycia, or any of them that night.

 

[Persephone]

:: The retreat to the spa had gone by quite quickly, leaving Morgan and Ava to make their way back to Morgan's house for some cocktails before the party that evening. As they drove to the witches house, Morgan mentioned the weather mirroring the town's mood. With a shrug, Ava waved her hand as some of the grey clouds parted allowing the sun to shine once again. ::

"Well now it mirrors OUR mood."

:: But again, the conversation turned from light hearted to serious. Morgan mentioned hearing her father's voice lastnight causing Ava to look over at her. Morgan may have been labled many things by the towns people, but crazy certainly wasn't one of them. ::

"Your father?....Well that's different."

:: Morgan asked if she had heard any voices; Ava shook her head gently. ::

"No....I just felt like someone was in the room with me...It was eerie to say the least."

:: Morgan mentioned being hesitant to tell her mother about hearing Christopher's voice, she feared the mayor would put Mike on her tail. Wrinkling her nose in disgust, she patted Morgan's hand reassuringly. ::

"We won't let that happen. Plus, i'm sure the only tail Mike is interested in is your mothers. [pausing, Ava shuddered] Okay yeah...that was even gross for me. [now Ava became for serious] But seriously Morgan, if that fog was anything other than just an unusual weather phenomenon, we'll figure it out. No ghosts from our past will hurt us, I promise."

 

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Alison was as cruel and hurtfull as always. Karen placed her hand over her face as she sighed with weary feeling.>>

it always comes back to that...doesnt it?

<< Removing her hand, Karen leans forward in her seat, narrowing her eyes.>>

I have all but HAD IT with your condescending remarks and character assassination, Alison.

You sit here, on the grounds of this church, away from EVERYONE. You DRINK concstantly and you've grown so COLD AND DISTANT and why? because you blame US for your brother's death. We in case you FORGOT, inspite of your "visions"...my husband, morgan's father...nicolas' wife, sharon's husband and others were lost TOO!

The rest of us...we did the BEST WE COULD! You claimed their deaths were not accidents, but there was NO SIGN of any other vessel...no one else OUT there the night they were lost! How could i risk more men going out there...going out there with no real person/object to identify or find based solely on your claim? If that were the case, why didnt you warn us of the fog BEFORE hand? you're SUPPOSED to be a precog arent you? or has that bottle dulled your power as well as your senses.

:: standing up.::

Look, we came here because I wanted to ask you to give the benediction at tonight's ceremony...not to have you try to scare us with these...ghost stories. you're family was one of the founding families...you are a direct descending. its only RIGHT that we extend the invitation to you tonight.

 

[Harbinger]

at the church

:: Karen returned the favor of being hurtfull in a way that Alison didnt readily expect. as the woman questioned Alison's credibility as a precog, and suggested that she was an incompetent drunk, Alison immediately stood up, causing the chair to fall back.::

How DARE you speak to me like that!

Woman, I wouldnt give a benediction at YOUR FUNERAL, which is just what may be happening NEXT if you don't get the HELL out of my sight!

:: and with anger and hurt in her eyes, she gestures ala' Prue Halliwell. A rushing, chiming sound is heard as Karen and Delilah are enveloped in a swirling flurry of dark glowing orbs before being FLUNG from the office, passing through the WALL...[via teleblinking] and reassembled outside to land firmly on their butts just by their car.::

:: the windows and doors of the church begin slamming shut all over. but Alison's voice can be heard.::

I won't help you celebrate lives lost. You've done a good enough job of that yourself with those that died on the yacht. Don't come back here again Karen...you're not welcomed...not now...not EVER! Whatever happens tonight...it's on YOUR HEAD!

 

[Firebird]

Sharon's ocean front loft

While the day seemed beautiful something about Kyle had troubled the brunette. Reaching out to gently take his hand, worried about Sharon’s young son.

“Kyle, what is it? What’s wrong?”

Searching through his eyes she peered down as he gently enveloped her hand, leading her away and over to the underside of the pier. Curiously glancing over to near a small collection of rocks where the water regular washed over, there was a gold coin. It was unlike anything she had ever seen before. While Kyle explained the strange phenomenon, Blaze did a double-take towards the boy. Had she put more then the necessary amount of tequila in her margarita?

As the coin burst into a flame, Blaze protectively stood in front of Kyle. “Be careful, Kyle.” Warm but firm words advised him. Yet, just as Kyle had eagerly informed her the coin had transformed into a piece of wood! Shaking the side of her head, Blaze couldn’t believe her eyes. Was she seeing this correctly or was it some sort of mirage?

Kyle though being so young and inquisitive ran towards the piece of wood. “No, Kyle, don’t touch it!” Rushing after him she quickly snatched the piece of wood from him. Another chill slivered up her spine. Glancing down at him, she touched him on the back of the shoulder. “I’m sorry Kyle, but let’s see what your Mom has to say about this. This could be something dangerous and hurtful, so I think I’ll hold onto it. At least until your Mom gets home to make sure its safe.” Gentle words soothed him while peering out towards the sea. Something was just not right. The longer Blaze held on the more her instincts felt uneasy, the touch of evil, vengeance!

The spiraling winds would blow a few strands of her hair into her eyes. “Let’s go inside, Kyle. At least for me...I would feel safer if we did.” She applied to his compassionate side while glancing down to him. “I brought Rock Band with me today, we can play that.” All boys loved video games especially with the popular games. She would feel better as long as they were safely behind enclosed doors and windows.

The two would return inside Sharon’s loft where Blaze turned to lock the door behind her. “I promise you can have this back as soon as Sharon has a look.” Placing the cooler on the counter she eyed the piece of wood with the seaweed on it suspiciously. It wasn’t the best idea to be touching this.

While Kyle walked into his room to set up the game Blaze had brought for him, she picked up her Iphone. She dialed Sharon’s private line, waiting for her friend to answer. Finally the blonde picked up and Blaze was partially relieved.

“Hey Sharon, Kyle found something really strange on the beach, that I think you should have a look at when you get home. To the common eye it’s a coin but it actually TRANSFORMED into a piece of wood.”

Blaze nodded along as she glanced towards the hall where Kyle’s bedroom would be. “Okay, I’ll do that. We’re inside the loft already, I told him he could get it back once everything checked out.” As Sharon bid Blaze goodbye she still felt uneasy.

After hanging up with Sharon, Blaze walked into her room to place the piece of wood on her dresser before closing the door. “Kyle, your Mom said you can have it back once she looks at it. But that she didn’t want you to touch it until then.”

She walked into his room to see that he had turned the game on and the two were ready to play. But Blaze’s mind was hardly on a video game. Instead she worried about what would cause a coin to transform into a piece of wood. It was almost enchanted with evil, something she failed to mention to Sharon. She didn’t want to worry her friend at the moment. They would discuss it once she got back home.

 

[Spellbinder]

from one place to an other

<< Morgan smiled a bit as Ava reassured her. Ava was seen as cold hearted, a ball buster and a man eater by the towns people, but Morgan knew her as something much more. It was the fact that they were both dismissed as heartless debutants that first caused them to see the novelty of being seen around town together, but it was their childhood together that laid the foundation for their FRIENDSHIP.>>

Thanks...I appreciate that.

<< she too shuddered at the thought of Mike and her mother as Ava made a bad joke but thats all that was needed to get them out of their somber moment>>

Ick. But I guess he must do something my mom likes. It's not that he's UGLY or anything, its just that he's so...ordinary...so poor << by their standards>> so MORTAL! <<sigh>> but my mother does a good job of keeping her little affair a secret. her status as the widowed mayor definately boosted her q rating so who am i to hate?

<< they were driving into the exclusive neighborhood where several of the key players of this story lived when suddenly...>>

SHIT! I forgot that I'd swing buy to pick up Blaze from Sharon's! We're almost at the my house now...there's no way we can get there and not lose the time we have...unless...

<< Morgan looked at Ava with a knowing grin as Ava nodded for her to go for it. and with that, Morgan uses her power and manifests a large stepping disc that TELEPORTS them...CAR AND ALL from where they were at, to another road on the countryside all together, leading straight up to Sharon's ocean loft!>>

let's see that stupid Michael keep up with THAT! << laughing smugly>> who needs speed limits when you have stepping discs?

Now all we need to do is pick up Blaze and we can teleport BACK to the house.

<< knowing full well that she'd have to cool it with the discs after that. teleporting to the evening's festivities was a no-no...unless she was too drunk to drive. after all, Mike COULDNT impound a stepping disc OR arrest her for a TUI- Teleporting Under the Influlence >>

<< she does a quick hair/make up check as she primps in her compact.>>

Sharon's loft is pretty nice. You know...for her to be as popular as she is around town, she sure stays out of sight. If Sharon was just a LITTLE YOUNGER, i'd say let's invite her to hang with us!

I remember Nicolas and some of his crew oggling her at the bar one night. She threw a guy that tried to man handle her INTO a dart board. I think some of the men were as TURNED ON by that as they were AFRAID. She seems more like Nicolas' type. The "stay at home" type...like Alycia. Nicolas is fun...every now and then, but sometimes he takes up a little too much of my air.

I know he's a widower and all...but I'm not really interested in filling whatever void Alycia left...and goddess knows he ALWAYS wants to fill MY void.

<< laughing softly as she thought about how much of a horny toad Nicolas was b ehind closed doors>>


<< Morgan and Ava get out and walk up toward Sharon's place. They were welcomed there. anyone among the town's "elite" was most likely friendly with Sharon and with Blaze there, it was no problem.>>

I wonder how Blaze can stand it?? BABYSITTING...Kyle is cute and all? but I'd not be too thrilled about chasing after a 6 year old.

 

[Persephone]

:: Ava and Morgan were like Thelma and Louise...except hotter, and way richer. They just fed off each other's jokes and comments; always managing to make whatever situation they were in enjoyable and fun. As Morgan mentioned they had to head to Sharons to pick of Blaze, Ava smirked knowing the witch wanted to use one of her stepping discs. ::

"Teleport away, Sourceress Slutpreme."

:: And in the blink of an eye they arrived, car and all, on Sharon's street. ::

let's see that stupid Michael keep up with THAT! << laughing smugly>> who needs speed limits when you have stepping discs?

:: Laughing, both woman took out their compacts in sync and began to check their hair and makeup. ::

If Sharon was just a LITTLE YOUNGER, i'd say let's invite her to hang with us!

"Yeah....she could be fun to hang around with...if I was into partying with patients from the geriatric ward."

:: Wrinkling her nose playfully at Morgan, Ava had nothing against Sharon. In fact, Sharon her Ava had a pretty nice friendship. But hell, Ava could never pass of the opportunity to get in a wise crack or two. ::

:: Opening the car door, Ava stepped out of the Jaguar and began to make her way up to the front door of Sharon's building. ::

I wonder how Blaze can stand it?? BABYSITTING...Kyle is cute and all? but I'd not be too thrilled about chasing after a 6 year old.

"Uck....kids are like cockroaches: they're EVERYWHERE, and pop up at the most inconvienent times. [pushing her finger against the button that buzzed up to Sharon's apartment, Ava then turned to Morgan] I remember the one time Sharon actually convinced me to babysit Kyle a couple years back, he managed to walk in on me and Cameron King in a most....compromising position. [Ava sighed] God that boy could fuck.....Couldn't you like...ressurect him for one night for me?"

:: Pushing Morgan playfully, finally the door buzzed open allowing both woman to enter Sharon's building and head up to her loft. ::

 

[Firebird]

Sharon's loft

At the sound of the bell, Blaze got up from the Kyle's bed to walk out of his room. Walking over to the door she opened it to see Morgan and Ava. Usually Blaze greeted the two with a smile but her expression seemed worried.

"Hey guys.."

She seemed hesitant, side-stepping to allow them inside. Nibbling on her bottom lip, Blaze shut and locked the door behind them. Almost deep in though, Blaze snapped out of her reverie as she eyed Morgan and Ava.

"There's something you guys should see...Kyle found it at the beach. I called Sharon already and informed her."

Leading the two towards Sharon's room she opened the door to motion towards the piece of wood. "You guys are gonna think I'm crazy but that piece of wood can transform into a coin! Kyle and I both witnessed it. But what worries me the most is I felt uneasy around it....like something evil and vengeful from it! I'm obviously not afraid of most things but that thing gives me the creeps!"

Placing both hands onto her hips, Blaze waited for either woman to investigate it. "We found it by the pier, on a pile of rocks. It flamed over to that piece of wood."