(1942-05-02) Rotten
Rotten
Summary: Things don't stay peaceful in Higsi, for very long. And this, here, is very rotten indeed.
Date: 1942-05-02
Related: None.
Players:
nathan..virginia..lucietta..

Town Square, Higsi
Tue May 02, 1942


A lot of work has been put into the town square, which is actually more of a circle really. A street makes a one way circle around a large round grassy area with a statue of a local civil war hero overlooking a duckpond. Lining the other side of the street are various businesses as well as the large court house and the local church.

Weather:
It is spring. The weather is warm and drizzling.

(GM = Chickamauga)


The sun has set on the quaint town of Higsby… or Higsi, depending on who is asked. The drizzle for the day has stopped leaving the air with that fresh and clean smell…well except around the church area, anyone getting to close to the church may notice a sulpherous, rotten egg smell.

Virginia's walking home from meeting with a student's parents. Poor dear is just not fulfilling his potential. The young teacher slows, her pretty but modest spring dress has a flower bring on it and her hair is pulled up. A frown mars her face at the stench. That isn't right. Thinking it's a prank by children she's more frustrated than anything else. Stepping closer to the church she glances around, trying to see who is there and what the most likely boys egged.

<FS3> Lillie rolls Empath: Good Success.

A certain Empath has been running a bit late, having decided to check in on Josie over on Pine street to take her mind off of 'Things'. Despite the drizzly weather, there's still enough daylight left for her to safely make the long walk home out toward Cotton and McComb. But that means Lillie O'Clery is to be left to her thoughts as she walks alone; that is not a preferred thing. But life must go on, everyone has their troubles… Lillie's aren't the most catastrophic in the world tihs day and age, for sure. After making sure her dear elderly friend was settled in for the night, she started off into the damp evening.

Though, passing the church… something smells 'off'. Hugging herself beneath her cardigan, hoping that she dodges a downpour, the lovely Irish lass slows her gait as she catches whiff of something on the air. She, too, thinks it to be a prank.. and her expression is much like Virginia's as she approaches the church. The pretty young teacher may very well see her approaching, concerned and curious. "My word, what /is/ that?" Lillie asks gently in her accented, lilting way.

The door of the church opens, emitting the golden glow of light, partially blocked by the two men that step out "Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to meet with me Reverend." Nathan tells the older gentleman that exits the church with him, the British accent quite evident. "I've taken enough of your time. I'm sure your wife is waiting with dinner ready.

"Of course Mr. Windsor, it was a pleasure." the two shake hands and the Reverend goes back into the church, closing the door while Nathan stands there a moment to allow his eyes to get used to the dark.

There is a slight scraping noise and the sudden flare of a match igniting. The flame brings an angular face into stark relief, the owner standing near the bottom of the church steps. Wait? Was he always there or did he just appear out of the blue? The match is used to light the cigarette hanging from his lips and then he shakes the match out. A pull of the cigarette is has, the cherry red end glowing in the gray twilight "The stench of lost souls burning for their sins?" he answers, his voice deep and hollow.

You paged GM with 'Anything particularly nasty to detect from this fellow, empathy-wise?'
GM pages: Off the chart nasty.

Virginia starts to answer Lillie, but then she turns first to the church doors and then the sudden appearance of the smoking man, "More likely it is little Johnny. He has a habit of hiding rotten eggs thinking he's funny." The poor reverend will have to find it and clean it up quick before Sunday! She offers a smile than to all, but takes a step closer to Lillie.

What could be the problem here? Lillie's green eyes flit to the door opening, revealing the two gentlemen who talk between themselves. One of whom has a distinct accent to his words… quite honestly the first British accent that Lillie has heard in Higsi. Since /ever/. The young woman watches Nathan and the Reverend for a few seconds, but she still cannot understand why such a foul smell is coming from the vicinity of the building. Should the British gent look their way, Lillie shall smile kindly, but she is most immediately aware of Virginia, whom she does not move away from but closer.. and … /that/ which dwells at the bottom of the steps.

Her sense, ever-present and always seeking, is drawn to the smoking man on the stairs. Lillie's brow furrows as it hits her; a vile, awful feeling that she does /not/ want close to her or /in/ her psyche. But it's originating from the hollow-voiced man, and the Empath instinctively stays close to Virginia almost protectively. "Now that is not necessary," She remarks to the stranger, voice calm but intent. Her green eyes watch the lit cigarette bobbing from his mouth, heart fluttering. Lillie, just being near him, feels disgusting.

<FS3> Nathan rolls Supernatural Lore: Great Success.

Nostrils flare as the smell of sulfur hits Nathan's nose. A handkerchief is pulled out of a pocket and placed over his nose. The flare of the match has him squinting then glaring at the man's words. He moves down a few steps, though pauses when he notices the ladies on the sidewalk below "Ladies, I hate to be rude but I strongly suggest you leave." his tone suggests anger and strongly controlled fear. He reaches into a pocket, pulling a vial out and holding it for the moment.

<FS3> Nathan rolls Alertness: Success.
<FS3> Lillie rolls Alertness: Success.
<FS3> Virginia rolls Alertness: Good Success.

Black eyes focus on Lillie a moment and the man goes down a step or two in her direction. The man wears a pair of dress pants with a white shirt that is only partially buttoned leaving the upper part of his chest exposed. One could notice that the man has strange markings on his chest, lastly he is barefoot. How indecent, bare chest and no shoes. "So much passion." he seems nearly giddy as he says it, studying Lillie "That's getting harder and harder to find these days." he smiles at her but there is nothing pleasant about the expression. At the warning from Nathan his dark glance slides to him "Come now Mr.. or is it Reverand..or are you going by doctor? I promise I won't touch." eyes go back to the women "This time."

<FS3> Virginia rolls Lore Witches: Good Success.

Virginia's eyes widen at the strange man and she immediately grabs a hold of Lillie's arm, pulling her back, "Now see here, sir. There is no reason to be beastly." She has some hidden strength of character she doesn't usually show that springs for now. Pretty eyes study the man, fear and something else in them now. She picks up on both men's words, "Perhaps we should all leave?" but her gaze doesn't leave the barefooted man.

Anger, yes, and fear… very powerfully restrained. Nathan's countenance suggests strength and that which boils underneath only adds to Lillie's unease. She's no fool; when bid to step away, she will heed. Between what she's tuning into with the smoking man.. yeah. It's a cocktail, and not a nice one. Lillie's nose wrinkles, and not from the smell. She is aware of Nathan's warning, and the unease is backed by this creepy man actually beginning to approach! Green eyes widen, watching him descend a couple of steps.

Of all things, too, Lillie notices his chest… she doesn't give one whit about decency here; what's that on his chest? No matter.. he's speaking to her and both his words and his aura wash over the Empath like some gross, oily film. Lillie's brows knit together, and once Virginia touches her arm her sense immediately latches onto the young teacher, sampling her inner strength. Lillie frowns at the man with his eerie giddiness, almost snarling her distaste.

<FS3> Nathan rolls Reaction: Failure.

Naturally Nathan seems disturbed by the situation, even more so when the demon seems to know of his various titles. He begins to descend the steps to put himself between the strange creature and the ladies, but it seems that the Barefoot man is one step ahead of him, moving into his path and blocking it. His hand tightens on the vial "What is your business here?" he demands.

"Leave?" the sigiled man sounds disappointed "But the night is young and full of terrors." he says mixing his quotes up on purpose. There is that unpleasant smile again "And I just got here and your town is quite…" there is a beat "what's the word…ah tempting." step to the left and he is blocking the good Nathan from interposing.

Virginia's fingers tighten on Lillie's arm, but she keeps her eyes glues on the barefooted man. In fact she step in front of Lillie who seems she may get sick from the smell. "Perhaps it would be best to call upon the Reverend?" She seems to be studying the man intently though, curiosity? Or something else?

The Empath is taking anything and everything she can into account, trying to get a clear glance at the markings but of course, not being close enough to /really/ look. Why would she want to be that close? Ugh. She reaches forth to clutch Virginia's arm in turn, her own doe-eyed gaze locked upon the sigiled man… rife with both fear and resolve. She's trying to commit him to memory, or at least details… this needs to be spoken of to Frank. Unless things go on their ear.

"Tempting..?" Lillie grates, under her breath, eyes flitting from his head down to his bare toes. Ugh.. he feels awful. The Empath rubs her other hand along her hip, as if wiping something distasteful from her body. Eyes move to Virginia when she mentions the Reverend, and upwards toward the doors of the church.. her heart is pounding and she still looks repulsed.

There is a glance over his shoulder but the church is dark, no help from that quarter. The hanky is shoved into a pocket and Nathan pulls the crucifix hidden beneath his shirt off. He begins to speak softly in Latin, for those that know it, he is reciting an prayer of exorcism and banishment, holding both the cross out and seeming to be about ready to do something with the vial of clear liquid. The demon did ask he he should be called reverend.

"You mean the old man?" the barefooted man hardly seems threatened by the idea 'If only you knew what he gets up to when no one is paying attention." he seems amused at the prospect. "Oh so tempting…" his hollow tone makes a subtle shift, sounding almost seductive, but it is short lived. The words from Nathan have him bristling, hand going to his chest "You think a prayer and using Gods name will get rid of me?" he turns so he is partly facing the British man it is clearly causing him some discomfort though. The rotten egg smell intensifies as a black fog begins to pool around his barefeet.

Virginia watches, not setpping backwards from the thing in front of them. She's clearly taking in everything she can, the symbols on his chest to the words Nathan is reciting.

That is… oh. /Oh/.

Recognizing the language as archaic (though not understanding it), Lillie also acknowledges it's power and her lips move in a solemn Gaelic oath. She's not chanting; it's about three or four words. Perhaps a prayer to the God of her choosing? Or simple expletives? Hard to say. It's under her breath and maybe it's just a mantra to stay calm, as her sense throbs in her head and heart and gut. Her eyes are round with fear and disgust, but she can't look away. But this has to be it, right?

Oh God, it only seems to piss it off! Lillie's lips purse into a moue of distaste as the black fog arises, bringing with it that wretched stink. She gags, and presses a palm over her mouth. The fear that she catches from Virginia only intensifies her own… but there's something else…

What fear Nathan had before had faded to stonger anger and determination. His prayer continues and gets louder as he sees it having an effect on the creature, he knows better than to name it a man. He swings the vial, a few droplets of liquid comes out flying toward him.

There is a growl from the sigiled man his hand clutching at his shirt. "Do not think you have won. I am only just beginning here." the droplets of what could only be holy water land on him, sizzling on his exposed flesh. The black for quickly engulfs him, and then seems to be sucked into the ground, taking the strange barefooted man with it.

Virginia stands there wide eyed, trying to see where the man-thing went. Certainly looked like he was sucked into the earth, but that impossible…Right? She looks up quickly at Nathan and demands, "What did you splash him with?"

Silence from the Empath. She looks pale, and sick, as she sorts through all that is felt and /has/ been felt. She stares outright at the spot where the demon stood, and she shakes her head slowly.

The crucifix and vial go back in his pocket as Nathan leans heavily on the banister of the steps, taking a few deep breaths "Holy water, miss." he answers. There is a look between the two women "I think your friend here may need an escort home." he suggests looking at Lillie worriedly "If you will excuse me I think I should be speak to the Reverend about this." and a few of his other contacts. He descends the rest of the steps, deftly avoiding the spot where the strange creature disappeared and heads in the direction that the reverends house is in.

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