HtV: "Am I Pretty?" Part 2: The librarian

[20:51] Hamsaperiel: When we last left our intrepid heroes, they had been given a sketch [i.imgur.com] of the killer by her latest victim. Now certain that this killer is the urban legend Kuchisake-Onna, or at least someone posing as her, they leave the hospital to make plans to capture her... on film, at least. Joel waits outside, sitting in the back of the van with his feet hanging out the door smoking a cigarette. He gives a little wave.
[20:53] Lohengrin Theissen waves back at Joel as they head out, hands tucked into his pockets as they head for the van. "Alright, so, we have this sketch...What next?"
[20:55] Becky Smalls gives a little smile. "Now? Research. We hit the records, see what patterns we can find, if our subject has a particular hunting ground and so on." She looks over to her cameraman Joel, you can film a research montage for us? What music were we using these days?"
[20:57] Hamsaperiel: "Stock music or whatever I can make with Fruity Loops," he says, putting the cigarette out on the bumper and tossing it. "We don't have the budget for licensing, Becks."
[20:58] Lohengrin Theissen nods. "Ugh, my parents were always better at research than I was...Say, I think I have some friends in this town from a while back. I'll go talk to them, see if they know anything about this Kuchisake-Onna."
[20:58] System: Amy Delize is offline.
[20:59] Isabella Dawson she glances towards Becky "You think the library might have anything? Might be a book on that Kuchi thing."
[20:59] Becky Smalls: "Yeah, I know. We prolly wanna use the smokey jazz one for this. Bear that in mind when we're filming, people!" She claps her hands together "The library might not have books, but it should archive the newspapers! Lets head off there!"
[21:03] Lohengrin Theissen: "Alright then, meet back at the motel in a few hours?"
[21:03] Isabella Dawson: "Sounds like a plan"
[21:03] Hamsaperiel: Joel heaves himself up and stands in the back of the van, ready for orders. "I'm gonna need you guys to fill out some release forms, you cool with that?"
[21:04] Lohengrin Theissen: "Of course, what for?" Lohen goes over to his bike and turns the key, starting it up while they waited.
[21:05] Isabella Dawson slowly nods towards him "You want to give it to me now and ill finish as we go?"
[21:07] Becky Smalls: (ST, that's 'I'm okay with being on TV', right?)
[21:07] Hamsaperiel: That is what a release form is.
[21:08] Becky Smalls: "Just a formality if we're gonna film you, okay sweetie?"
[21:08] Lohengrin Theissen signs it before looking back at Becky and Isabella. "Alright, see you in a few hours. Stay safe you hear!"
[21:09] Hamsaperiel: Joel heads into the van and rummages around in a makeshift desk, and on the table, then comes back with two thin packets of paper. He hands them to Lohen and Isabella. One of them has a coffee stain on it. "Uh... good enough."
[21:11] Isabella Dawson quickly scrawls a signature onto the doted line before handing it back a smile on her face. "We good to go then?"
[21:12] Lohengrin Theissen also signs it and hands it back to Joel. "There ya go."
[21:12] System: Chtutoor is offline.
[21:16] Becky Smalls: "So, what's the plan, are we just all going to the library together?"
[21:17] Lohengrin Theissen: "I was going to ask my contacts about the whatever the hell. I know some people in the city, probably in the slums too."
[21:18] Becky Smalls: "Right, um... could we film that, too?"
[21:19] Lohengrin Theissen: "Uhhhh...I don't think so...My friends would not really be open to that.
[21:19] Hamsaperiel: "We can always blur their faces," Joel suggests.
[21:20] Lohengrin Theissen: "Ha ha ha, no. These really aren't the kind of people who want to be anywhere TV."
[21:21] Hamsaperiel: He shrugs.
[21:21] Hamsaperiel: What, did Lohen run with MS13?
[21:22] Lohengrin Theissen: Yes
[21:22] Lohengrin Theissen: :I
[21:22] Becky Smalls: "Well, that's lame. I guess we can play up the 'didn't want to be on TV such mystery' angle, you go do your thing?"
[21:23] Lohengrin Theissen: "Yeah, that would work. Also I need to ask some personal things from them, so I might be awhile if I get a lead on that.
[21:26] Becky Smalls: "Right, right. We should swap phone numbers!"
[21:28] Becky Smalls offers Lohen a business card!
[21:28] Lohengrin Theissen grins sheepishly. "Phones cost money, something I have in a rather short amount."
[21:28] Becky Smalls 's card has 'Becky Smalls, Ghost hunter!' and her phone and email on it, along with a terrible clipart of a spooky ghost.
[21:29] Lohengrin Theissen takes the card and pockets it.
[21:29] Isabella Dawson "Its a bit of a old one for me but it should work" she mutters, as she holds out a small scrap of paper with her number written onto it.
[21:30] Lohengrin Theissen also pockets the offered scrap of paper.
[21:31] Becky Smalls does not pocket it, instead looking awkwardly at Isabella's empty hand. "We should get going!"
[21:31] Becky Smalls: (I propose a scene-jump?)
[21:33] Isabella Dawson: (To the library we go)
[21:33] Hamsaperiel: Jump indeed. Also, am I gonna have to split the party for Lohen?
[21:33] Hamsaperiel: Also, Becky's a dork
[21:34] Becky Smalls: Becky is totally a ghost-nerd
[21:34] Lohengrin Theissen: Yeah, looks like.
[21:35] Hamsaperiel: Mmkay. Let's just handle you here, Lohen. No one else mind?
[21:38] Becky Smalls: Nope!
[21:38] Hamsaperiel: Tell me who you're going to see and what they are like
[21:42] Lohengrin Theissen is going to see his old buddy Wade Quinn. Wade joined the gang about the same time Lohen did and the two grew to become friends. The Irish Immigrant had always been able to empathize with Lohen over not being Yankee's and also had a streak of idealism running through him. After the attack that streak had been broken and Wade had fallen into depression. Despite this Lohen still counted him as a friend and kept contact.
[21:44] Hamsaperiel: When Wade answers the door, he perks up seeing Lohen, and gives him the old gang handshake, ending with pulling him in a hug. "Eh, what've you been up to, man? You look like shit and smell like gasoline."
[21:47] Lohengrin Theissen hugs him back, smiling as he did. "Its been to long Wade, far to fucking long. I've been doing the usual, gallivanting from town to town, being a goddamn idealist. Actually that's why I'm here, but fuck, let's save the business talk for later." Unless Wade has something pressing to say Lohen will reminisce with his old friend for awhile.
[21:49] Hamsaperiel: He reminisces. And by reminisces, I mean he drinks with you.
[21:50] Lohengrin Theissen: There is indeed much drinking and shooting of the shit. Finally Lohen looks a bit more serious and gets to the damn point. "So, the reason I came here is to ask you a few things. You hear about the recent string of murders?"
[21:54] Hamsaperiel: "Yeah, two high school chicks," he says, sipping on his drink, "you think that's some gang shit? I hear a guy got his face all cut up."
[21:55] Lohengrin Theissen shakes his head slowly. "No, I don't think its the gangs. I went to go see the kid in the hospital earlier today, gave me a drawing of his assailant. Ever heard of the Kuchisake-Onna?"
[21:57] Hamsaperiel: "Sounds like some anime shit," he says with a shrug, "what is that, some kinda ninja?"
[21:58] Lohengrin Theissen shakes his head again. "Nah, Japanese Urban Legend. Its a woman who goes around asking people if shes pretty. Her face is cut up in a a Glasgow smile so most say no, so she kills them. If you say yes she cuts your face to make it like hers. Funny thing is that kid handed us a drawing of a woman with a slit mouth."
[22:03] Hamsaperiel: He goes a little pale, "Jesus. I heard about her, actually. Was this chick at the bar the other day and she had on a mask like doctors wear, when she took it off to drink, her face was all fucked up."
[22:04] Hamsaperiel: "You saying I was in the bar with a crazy chick?" He waits a beat, and then laughs, "then again it wouldn't be the first time. Remember Darla?"
[22:05] Lohengrin Theissen seems to light up. "Really? What bar? How long ago was this? And hell yeah I remember Darla, told you she was bad news. Your lucky your hand was the only thing that got stabbed."
[22:08] Hamsaperiel: "Who the fuck uses a fork like that?" he laughs, "It was Ramano's, on Park Avenue, about a week ago. Think she was asking around about a book, apparently some ex of hers stole it or something. Think he was the one who fucked up her face?"
[22:09] Lohengrin Theissen: "I dunno man, she was crazy." Lohen chuckles at the good memories. "Thanks, I'll hit it up for info. And I dunno hoping shes just another crazy, not like you...You know, those guys."
[22:11] Hamsaperiel: His face sours again, and he swallows down the last third of his beer. "Yeah... you think that's what it is? I really need to get the hell out of this city..."
[22:12] Lohengrin Theissen shrugs and takes another long sip from his beer. "Don't think its just this city man, the whole damn world's gone crazy. Anyways, one last thing to ask you. Ever heard of a guy with a surname of Swan? Possibly having a young niece named Marisa?"
[22:13] Hamsaperiel: He shrugs, and shakes his head. "Nah."
[22:14] Hamsaperiel: Anyway, that's enough of that.
[22:14] Lohengrin Theissen: "Ah, oh well. Tell me if you hear anything. And stay safe on the streets, you hear?" Lohen gets up to leave, offering Wade his hand.
[22:21] System: Your invitation has been sent.
[22:23] Hamsaperiel: And now you're all at the library!
[22:24] Becky Smalls: yaaay!
[22:24] Lohengrin Theissen: Including Lohen?
[22:24] Becky Smalls: Okay, first up: can we film in here?
[22:25] Isabella Dawson pushes the door open with a slight sigh, as she steps down onto the concrete of the car park she looks over towards the library a thin smile on her lips.
[22:26] Hamsaperiel: You can.
[22:27] Hamsaperiel: Public library
[22:27] Hamsaperiel: Can't show people's faces, though
[22:27] Becky Smalls: Coool. Okay, so what information are we looking for and how?
[22:28] Hamsaperiel assumes you're asking each other.
[22:28] Isabella Dawson: "News papers and maybe a book on urban legends? Im not sure never had to look up a ghost before"
[22:30] Becky Smalls: "Books in here are likely to be less in-depth than what we want. Just use google for that, I would. We're mostly here for the newspapers, I think?"
[22:30] Isabella Dawson nods and starts to wonder towards the entrance "Sounds about right"
[22:31] Hamsaperiel: Also, it is currently getting dark. You've got a few hours of library time, though.
[22:31] Lohengrin Theissen follows in after them. "Alright, sounds good. Point me at the things that need to be read."
[22:31] Becky Smalls: "I think we mostly want to find out if there's a pattern to her attacks or where she tends to be encountered. It might be worth marking the locations on a map."
[22:33] Hamsaperiel: Sounds like it's time for some RESEARCH ROLLS.
[22:33] Lohengrin Theissen: Oh boy
[22:35] Becky Smalls: YAY!
[22:35] Hamsaperiel: Assuming you want to teamwork it, choose who the primary actor is. Secondary actors will then roll Intelligence + Academics and add their successes to the Primary Actor's roll. Each roll of the Primary Actor is what counts. You're looking for five successes, and each roll takes 1 hour. You've got three hours. Also, that mousy little librarian girl might be able to help you out a bit. She seems rather interested in Becky, and that camera with the Most Haunted logo on it.
[22:36] Lohengrin Theissen: What if we don't have Academics?
[22:37] Hamsaperiel: Then you probably shouldn't be the primary actor. But your roll will be at -3.
[22:38] Isabella Dawson: I have a feeling Beckys probably going to be the best at this.
[22:38] Hamsaperiel: Also, the library's newspaper resources will give you a +2 on the rolls.
[22:38] Hamsaperiel: I expect you guys to succeed, I mostly just want to keep track of how long it takes
[22:38] Lohengrin Theissen: So with 1 in intelligence I would be rolling 0 dice?
[22:39] Hamsaperiel: Lohen, wait by the water fountain and try not to break anything.
[22:39] Lohengrin Theissen does that.
[22:39] Sara Rome: (hah)
[22:39] Hamsaperiel: Also, technically you'd roll 1 die and it would only succeed on a 10, but a 1 would be a dramatic failure.
[22:39] Sara Rome: Whereupon you'd knock down a shelf, which causes a domino and knocks down four more shelves
[22:39] Hamsaperiel: You could also spend Willpower to get +3 on one roll.
[22:40] Hamsaperiel: Only Lohen could damage himself with an Academics roll.
[22:40] Becky Smalls: (I'm only at a pool of 4 before wp, anybody better?)
[22:40] Lohengrin Theissen: How do you get willpower back?
[22:40] Becky Smalls: RISK IT
[22:40] Hamsaperiel: By not being a bitch. Also, sleeping, and risking it.
[22:40] Lohengrin Theissen: Fine, fuck.
[22:40] Isabella Dawson: I got two dice.
[22:41] Lohengrin Theissen will use a willpower to get 4 die?
[22:41] Hamsaperiel coughs. You know, that nice little Librarian girl might be able to help.
[22:42] Becky Smalls beckons the librarian over. "Hey, sweetie, do you want to be on TV?"
[22:43] Lohengrin Theissen: Wait, I would be rolling 4 dice if I spent a willpower, right?
[22:43] Hamsaperiel: Yes
[22:43] Hamsaperiel: But only for one roll.
[22:43] Lohengrin Theissen: Cool, Lohen will help then with one roll then.
[22:44] Sara Rome looks up. She had been carefully watching them prior, especially the guy that looked like he was about to accidentally wreck shit, but had lost interest. "...Huh. You're, uh, familiar."
[22:44] Hamsaperiel: Well, you can spend another point of Willpower for the next roll.
[22:46] Becky Smalls: "Yes! I'm Becky Smalls, you may remember me from such shows as Becky Smalls's Craziest Hauntings!, Paranormal Panoramas, with Becky Smalls and Help! Ghosts Ruined My House! We're here researching for a show, would you like to help us?"
[22:48] Sara Rome dog-ears her novel and puts it down, stepping outside the desk-island. "Sure, then, I suppose. What are, uh. What are you looking for?"
[22:49] Becky Smalls: "Well, we were trying to find out about the recent string of murders. We think there might be something interesting going on!"
[22:51] Sara Rome: "Huh. What, are you planning on being a vigilante? People die like that, you know."
[22:52] Becky Smalls: "Oh, no, nothing like that. We're making a documentary! Because journalism matters, and if I don't report on the wacky stuff, nobody else is going to!"
[22:53] Sara Rome: "Noble. Out of, um, curiosity, which killer are you looking for?"
[22:54] Becky Smalls flashes her a sketch.
[22:54] Becky Smalls: "This lady! [i.imgur.com] Do you think you can help us?"
[22:55] Hamsaperiel: My my, doesn't she look familiar.
[22:55] Sara Rome: My, she looks fami-
[22:55] Becky Smalls:
[22:55] Becky Smalls: GRR
[22:56] Becky Smalls:
[22:56] Becky Smalls: Better
[22:56] Sara Rome: "...Huh. Yeah, I think I saw some newspapers with her. I don't do the loading, though."
[22:58] Becky Smalls: "Well, do you mind being filmed helping us? You'll get a spot in the credits, and we might even come back! There could be a career in this for you!"
[22:58] System: Mickey Clayton is online.
[23:00] Sara Rome seems to find this somewhat humorous, but only delivers a quiet "Sure" as she starts to walk towards the newspaper section!
[23:01] System: Kel Tralsman changed status to Busy, showering.
[23:01] Lohengrin Theissen: (Showering, be back soon.)
[23:01] Hamsaperiel: (You guys can start the research rolls whenever you like)
[23:01] Becky Smalls: "Joel, get a good panoramic shot of this, make it look all intellectual."
[23:01] Hamsaperiel will just roll for Lohen! To keep this train moving
[23:01] System: Your invitation has been sent.
[23:01] Robutt: Robutt Epsilon online and operational.
[23:01] Becky Smalls: (iirc, we want all the helpers to roll first, and then Este gets bonuses to the dice pool based on our sux, right?)
[23:01] Hamsaperiel: Indeed.
[23:02] Hamsaperiel: You all are equipment.
[23:02] Becky Smalls: ...does that change the pool?
[23:02] Isabella Dawson: (Sorry, just trying to work out how to do dice rolls on here.)
[23:02] Hamsaperiel: No, I mean that your successes are counted as equipment bonus. Although the library does provide a +2 to the roll
[23:03] Hamsaperiel: So first everyone but Sara rolls Intelligence + Academics + 2.
[23:03] Becky Smalls: !roll 9w@8r10 Risking a willpower
[23:03] Robutt: Becky Smalls: 9w@8r10 = 4, 8, 1, 4, 2, 10, 5, 3, 2, 2; 2(1) Successes
[23:03] Hamsaperiel: Which option are you taking for the Risk?
[23:03] Becky Smalls: what?
[23:04] Sara Rome: \o/
[23:04] Becky Smalls: risking is 'if you succeed, you get the WP point back, but if you don't, you lose the whole DOT, isn't it?'
[23:04] Isabella Dawson: !roll 4w@8r10
[23:04] Robutt: Isabella Dawson: 4w@8r10 = 7, 10, 1, 2, 7; 1(0) Success
[23:04] Hamsaperiel: Nope!
[23:05] Hamsaperiel: You Risk Willpower and get to alter what your Willpower point does as well!
[23:05] Hamsaperiel: Although with the new rules, I should say optionS.http://i.gyazo.com/e617371cb98675c68b1c4f294dea619c.png
[23:05] Hamsaperiel: You get to pick two.
[23:05] Becky Smalls: huh, where's this from?
[23:05] Hamsaperiel: This is from Mortal Remains.
[23:05] Hamsaperiel wasn't going to give you the rules updates until after you became "real" Hunters.
[23:06] Hamsaperiel: Same as when you get your Tactics.
[23:06] Becky Smalls: (oh, right. Then just *spending* a wp)
[23:06] Hamsaperiel: Mmkay
[23:06] Hamsaperiel: !r 3w
[23:06] Robutt: Hamsaperiel: 3w@8r10 = 4, 2, 8; 1(1) Success
[23:06] Hamsaperiel: So 1 from Lohen, 2 from Becky, and 1 from Isabella.
[23:06] Hamsaperiel: That's a total of +6 for you, Sara.
[23:07] Sara Rome: erm, what's the code for 9 again?
[23:07] Hamsaperiel: rr9
[23:07] Hamsaperiel: I think?
[23:07] Sara Rome: !r 12w@rr9
[23:07] Robutt: Sara Rome: 12w@8r10 = 1, 8, 8, 6, 8, 6, 1, 6, 2, 8, 9, 6; 5(3) Successes
[23:08] Sara Rome: !r 1w since that didnt add the extra die
[23:08] Robutt: Sara Rome: 1w@8r10 = 4; 0(0) Successes
[23:08] Sara Rome: \o/
[23:08] Hamsaperiel: Exceptional!
[23:09] Becky Smalls: (it's just r9 not rr9)
[23:13] System: Kel Tralsman changed status to Online
[23:13] Lohengrin Theissen: Oh hey did Lohen do something right?
[23:14] Hamsaperiel: If by "right" you mean not fucking up :V
[23:14] Lohengrin Theissen: Yes
[23:15] Hamsaperiel: You don't find any information on similar murders or anything. There haven't been reports of a Kuchisake-Onna type killing before... but there are two rather disturbing things that seem like they might be connected. The first is college drama student who was murdered. Unlike the others, though, he was killed in his own home. There was an altercation, and he was stabbed several times with a pair of long sheers he'd been using to put together a costume. They were missing from the scene, but forensics determined it was the murder weapon. His face was attacked quite a bit. Witnesses say a woman with long black hair had been stalking him.
The second interesting thing is an article about a man who suffered lacerations and had his throat cut. It looked like a robbery of some kind, with his backpack contents scattered around and his pockets turned out. He was from out of town, and the kicker is that Sara saw him in the library a week and a half ago.
[23:19] Becky Smalls: "Well... oh, ew! Ew! That's horrible!"
[23:20] Lohengrin Theissen: "Eugh, I agree. It appears the killer stalks her victims before asking them the fatal question, more than likely getting to know when they will be alone. It must be stopped, before it picks another target!"
[23:20] Hamsaperiel: Obviously the picture attached to the second article is of him when he was alive.
[23:20] System: Alexis Williamson changed status to DND, "BED"
[23:21] Hamsaperiel: Also, first guy was said to be very pretty~
[23:21] Sara Rome: (Waitwait, sec)
[23:21] Sara Rome: (When was he killed?)
[23:21] Hamsaperiel: Later the same day you saw him in the library.
[23:22] Hamsaperiel: Likely a few hours after he dropped the book in your slot.
[23:22] Sara Rome pours over the paper. "Oh jesus christ, I know him. Or, knew him. He was here that day."
[23:22] Becky Smalls places her hands on Sara's. "Oh, honey, I'm sorry."
[23:24] Lohengrin Theissen pats Sara on the back as he looks over the news article. "Urgh, terrible thing to happen."
[23:24] Isabella Dawson: "Do you think the police knows about these other two?"
[23:25] Lohengrin Theissen: "Since they're in the paper I would hope so."
[23:25] Hamsaperiel: They know, but whether they've connected the incidents is another question.
[23:26] Sara Rome shivers! "Man. That's too creepy, oof."
[23:27] Lohengrin Theissen: "I'm sorry you had to find this out. Terrible thing to have happen."
[23:29] Sara Rome shrugs. "I don't know. He's still as much of a stranger to me as he is to you. That book, though."
[23:29] Becky Smalls: "What book?"
[23:29] Lohengrin Theissen: "What book? Wait, was the book a journal?"
[23:30] Sara Rome: "Uh, something. When he stopped by here, he left some old book in the deposit."
[23:30] Lohengrin Theissen: "Can we see this book?"
[23:31] Becky Smalls: "That sounds interesting. Was it, you know, an Eldritch Tome? Ooh, I bet it was!"
[23:33] Sara Rome: "It's back in my apartment. Not eldritch, just, uh. Van Helsing kinda stuff."
[23:33] System: Doctor Sam Hark is offline.
[23:34] Lohengrin Theissen looks up, suddenly very interested. "Oh, may we take a look at it? It might help with the investigation."
[23:34] Becky Smalls: "Really? Congratulations, your home's gonna be on TV!"
[23:34] Isabella Dawson: "Something like that could be useful if where chasing this ghost around."
[23:35] System: Doctor Sam Hark is online.
[23:36] Sara Rome: "...Huh. Okay, I think. I can probably take off early."
[23:36] Hamsaperiel: Joel is moving around the soon to be cell, getting a few close ups.
[23:37] Becky Smalls: "So that's a plan, right? And then we all go to the pub afterwards, because of course we do."
[23:37] Isabella Dawson: "Perfect way to take the edge off after some researching"
[23:38] Lohengrin Theissen nods. "Yes, heroics, strange tomes and booze. I can get behind this.
[23:38] Lohengrin Theissen: "*
[23:38] System: Samra changed status to Online
[23:44] Becky Smalls gathers up her stuff. "Well, that's a wrap for now, shall he head out?"
[23:45] Lohengrin Theissen nods. "Lead the way Miss Smalls."
[23:48] Becky Smalls leads the way!