PC's: Nina, Scarecrow, Leon, Joelle Location: Abandoned parking lot downtown Summary: Group meets for first time as a whole to discuss the direction of the group. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Nina Reynolds Subject: IC Email To: Stormcloud --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friend; Would it be possible to meet with you soon to discuss the group? That fella named Worg and an associate of his I belive are interested in meeting to discuss the group further. Would a meeting be possible in the near future for you? Mist --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 From: Stormcloud At: Thu Aug 22 12:39:12 2002 (Conn) Fldr : 0 Status: Unread To : Nina Reynolds Subject: IC Email --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Omae; Sure, I tink I can set some time aside for a meet. Name time and place. Stormcloud --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Nina Reynolds Subject: IC Email To: Stormcloud --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stormcloud; Alley behind Noir days, turn north in alley to open area between buildings.. 20 minutes? Mist --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Nina Reynolds Subject: IC Email To: Leon --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Worg; Another member of the gathering has agreed to meet with you to discuss the 'group'. I will also be attending and would request that you arrive in the alley behind the Noir days.. work north to the large open area in that area. I will be there in 30 minutes. If you can make it that would be great, feel free to bring your companion. If you can not, I understand, its short notice. Mist --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Isolated Parking Lot You are in an old abandoned parking lot which once served this city. Modern buildings have encroached upon this area and isolated this parking lot from vehicles several years ago. The parking lots' paved surface is roughly cracked and heaved by winter frost and weathering. The yellow lines have long since faded in place of tall brown weeds and thorny vines growing up from below. You see an orange rusty basketball rim bolted into the back wall of a building to the north. To the east of the basketball rim is a lightweight rust encrusted ladder leading up to the roof of the two story building there. The western edge of the parking lot is bordered by an ominous black brick building climbing seven stories into the air. There are no windows facing this direction in the building until the fifth, sixth and seventh floors. The residents within being given the opportunity to forget about a run down parking lot behind their high class executive office building. The eastern edge of the parking lot is bordered by a red plascrete wall that reaches up five floors. There are no windows on the building facing the parking lot, saving those within from having to watch the proceedings of a forgotten area far below. The south edge of the parking lot also has buildings towering over the area, but you can see a narrow walkway between them, leading to a wider alleyway beyond. Obvious exits: Ladder Up East [E] South [S] Nina makes her way be taxi half way, then by foot to the meet location behind the Nordic gym and Noir days in the back alley, her trenchcoat and umbrella aiding to keep her dry at the meet. Scarecrow has arrived. Nina Reynolds is standing in the rainstorm in her trenchcoat and holing an umbrella. Currently she is standing alone near the north wall under the basketball rim. Scarecrow is wearing a rain coat, glossy black and slick with rain. He enters the area slowly as his eyes are hidden under the large hood. The wind seems to swirl the rain around him a bit as he just lingers about the area for a few moments. He then steps slowly on the paved wet surface of the parkinglot. Eyes seeming to slowly scan the area, hands held within his pockets. Nina Reynolds tilts the umbrella up higher as she spots the astral form of Scarecrow in the rain and recognizes the patterns of his aura and she shifts her vision back to the mundane world as her face comes into view from under the umbrella as it tilts back. A smile comes to her face as she calls over, "I email'd Worg.. I'm unsure if he will be able to make it." Scarecrow nods slowly as he says,"Any idea who this companion is?..." His tone is that of someone on edge, assured of his situation. His face still under the dark glossy hood of the raincoat as he stands closer to the woman with the umbrella. A brief glance from the ork to Nina before he looks over the alley again. His astral pereption snapping on like a sudden gust of wind and dying down again as he returns to the physical world. Nina Reynolds nods, "I didn't catch her name, but she was the woman sitting at the tube cafe counter closest to you during my meet with Work <@desc of Joelle given here>. Nina walks forward and inquires, "Have you given any thought to the traditions we want to maintain in the group? I've been doing some research on established magical groups that have been written about and they hold some strict type guidlines and practices which they maintain helps them focus their energies.. a regiment per say, traditions which solidifies them as a group and bonds them more aptly." Frost has arrived. Nina Reynolds is standing in the rain in a trenchcoat and an umbrella chatting with Scarecrow. Frost stops as he ambles in, seeing folks here, and deciding perhaps he doesn't belong here, but stands there as though he is unsure wether he should be here or not Nina Reynolds rolls 7 dice: 1 1 2 2 3 5 7 Scarecrow rolls 5 dice: 1 1 4 5 14 Nina Reynolds cocks an ear and then pauses in the conversation and then looks around, something having caught her attention. Frost has left. Scarecrow was about to say a few things to Nina, but the entrance of someone or something new into the abandoned parking lot quiets him down. He then watches is that figure leaves the area. hmm. Nina Reynolds follows Scarecrow's gaze and watches as the figure leaves, "You think Worg sent again someone to take a peak on the area before he got here?" Scarecrow hmms as he comments in a low and suspicious voice,"Could be... or it might be something else, someone else. How well do you know this are?.." His eyes now phazing into the astral as he looks into Nina's eyes. THe head under the water pelted hood turning to check over the area again. Nina Reynolds offers as she turns to explain, "The alley to the east leads out next to Vasily's Army Surplus store, the south edge of that alley is the wall of the Nordic Gym. She then motions to the north of where they stand to the basketball rim and ladder on the wall there, "That leads up onto the roof of the cafe erotica.. the alley you came in from of course you know leads back to the Noir days alley." Leon has arrived. Joelle has arrived. Nina Reynolds is standing in the rain in a trenchcoat and an umbrella chatting with Scarecrow. Nina Reynolds is standing in the rain in a trenchcoat and an umbrella chatting with Scarecrow. Leon rolls 8 dice: 1 1 4 4 4 5 8 9 Scarecrow rolls 5 dice: 1 1 2 4 4 Nina Reynolds rolls 7 dice: 1 1 2 2 4 5 9 Leon rolls 8 dice against a TN 4: 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 8 (3 successes) Leon rolls 4 dice against a TN 2: 2 3 4 5 (4 successes) OOC Note from Leon: Rolls above are for attempting to arrive subtly (stealth and physical camo) (Result: 9+4 (for camo)=13) Scarecrow looks over to an etrance into the area, already on edge as he just leans his head back. His astral sight currently active as he takes in the aura of all living things around him. He eyes the two new arrivals as he glances back to Nina quickly,"...well." It's dark out in the alley, no matter what time of day. Filth and stench fill the area as to make it even more pleasant while the ground is covered with layers and layers of old newspaper and trash. It's the perfect area to hide. From out this rotten surroundings Leon emerges into a not much better looking parking lot. His steps are silent while he tries to remain in the long shadows cast down upon the area by surrounding buildings. His approach is slow, stalking like a predator through the night. Darkness might be his turf and he seems to know how to move through it. Joelle isn't far behind Leon as she two keeps her steps silent and movements hidden by shadows as much as the night and rain allows. She tries to look ahead of the man to see where they are going, who it is they are to be meeting but at the same time trying not to draw attention to herself. Nina Reynolds doesn't see exactly what Scarecrow is looking at but she notice that his expected response has been halted. Low and behond, a figure steps out into the open parking lot and it makes sense now, though the rain blocks clear sight. Nina shifts her gaze into the astral realm and confirms its a familiar aura.. Worg, the same peculiar response comes to her mind that she felt when looking at him similarly in the Tube Cafe a couple days previous. Nina shifts her gaze back to the mundane world and calls over in a welcoming voice, 'I am pleased you could make it." and then she glances past Leon to Joelle, a smile coming to her face as she is pleased she predicted whom might accompany Leon to the meeting. Leon pages: astralemited too for anyone observing that plane (just mentioning because wanting to ask if you wana have that pose too for the log, in case you aren't perceiving codewise) Scarecrow tilts the hood of his glossy black raincoat back as he keeps at the side of Nina. He looks over the two new arrivals, humans. He stays silent as Nina begins her welcome. He just stands still as he eyes the three and allows the rain to run against his form and drip to the ground. It takes an instance until a response comes from the dark passage to the alley. "Indeed, I could." Leon says in a rather factual voice while emerging out in the open. His head dips to a nod and his gaze flicks from Nina Reynolds towards Scarecrow, giving the man a brief look over. "I take it this is the mentioned business partner?" It might be a part of a second delay when his clothes, a expansive looking suit, appears to change in color, shifting from darker to some brighter tones as it seems to adjust to the background he currently is in. It's dosen't seem to be a feature of the suit though as the same moment his skin and hair does the same. Somehow as if whatever mystical forces would wash over him and try to shroud his presence. At this point it's probably more annoying though than actually concealing him. Not when he stands in an area so exposed. "Pleased to see," he tells the female, "and meet ye's," he adds with his gaze on the male. "This is Mouse, my business partner if ye want so." Is said with a dip to where he at least seems to suspect Joelle to be. Joelle keeps herself in the background, even as Nina speaks up and her companion answers. She fallows him out of the shadows but stands quietly just to the side of him. Her eyes studying the new man with interest before nodding at Nina in a silent hello. Even as she's introduced, she's still... well as quiet as a mouse, alabit a drenched one from the rain. She brushes back her sgraggly hair from her face. Nina Reynolds nods to Leon and then to the last known area of Joelle from the astral view she took previous, adjusting for Leon's motion to where she might now be, "I am plesed you brought Mouse with you." she shifts and motions to Scarecrow, "My associate is named Stormcloud, an air elementalist to be specific." Nina extends her hand to the unseen Joelle somewhere in the general direction as if to greet her. . o 0 (Ah.. there she is), "I'm glad you decided to attend." she then looks to Leon as her hand is still extended to Joelle, "Stormcloud and I were just discussing possible traditional desires for the group. I've done some research of established and publicized associations and they all seem to agree to some degree of traditional structure. It is said that it helps them bind together, much like a family grows closer when having family traditions.. practices that become expected at some extend by the others in their circle. We failed to develop any further decisions though for you arrived promptly." she smiles as if pleased at that. Scarecrow nods as he greets the others. Familair faces as he says,"... Ive done a bit or reseach on my part, it seems as if the Oath, Material Link Exclusive Ritual are the most common." in his dulled out German accent. His hazel eyes peering about the other entrances as he checks for any unexpected visitors. "There are others, but I havn't been able to get into detail as to what they exactly area." He moves over to the group to complete the circle of individuals. "Stromcloud," is repeated by Leon while his head moves to yet another nod in direction of the man. Nina soon got his attention back and his eyes swivel from her to Joelle and back at her when the hand is extended. "At which traditions did ye look like?" He then querries with a perked eyebrow, "Wicca, Shamanism, Druids, Celtic? Believe me, there are many out there, so I hear, all in a way symbolizing a truth, one of the many, but not all necessarily symbolize my truth. In some way they can be considered like fire and water or ...," his lips curve to the faintest hint of a grin, "earth and wind. However, I could provide ye with the basic concept of Ragnorok, should ye so desire and should it help any. Yet believe what we need to find, if we want this to be successfull, are ties that bind." His look shifts back to Scarecrow there and he responds to him, "oath, I think makes sense. A group of sworn individuals much less tend to try and get into each others backs and a material link might come handy for those who do. I like the ideas though. It'd be nice to know that everyone involved is serious with that and not tries to ambush it or follow some own enterprise which could become harmfull for the group, while a link might help to find members which got ... lost." Nina Reynolds nods at Scarecrows comment, "I heard of the Oath, the material link I had not heard of to be used in something like this.. but it makes sense. In fact a bit of safety would be encompased by that idea, should one of us dissappear for some reason it would make finding them much more convienent." she nods as if liking that option. Nina then offers, "The two I was looking into mostly was that some groups require that you can only be a member of their gorup and join no others. Much like many groups, be it a church or a company, exclusive loyalty is a comman trait of people committed to some cause. The other was Secrecy.. which was a type of oxi-moron considering I was learning about that tradition on a public matrix host." she chuckles at that comment of her own. Joelle's hands are in her pockets and looking a bit unsure with a glance to Leon, she pulls her hand out and places it in Nina's for a shake. Guess the girl isn't too use to such formalities. Probably faster then is polite, she pulls it back and shoves it into her jacket pocket again. The conversation about how to form the group is interesting despite the bored look on her face. Come on... she's a teen and its wet... Nina Reynolds withdraws her hand after her greeting with Mouse and offers another smile as is habbit when shaking someone's hand and then she responds to Leon, "It was my hope that a group could be formed without a religious influence. Religeon is a very polarized topic and I belive it is more apt to divide than join a group of strangers. A group formed out of a religeon is more stable than a group formed to a religeon." Scarecrow seems to let the other discuss the matter as he keeps probing the area for anything out of the ordinary. His eyes return to Leon as he says,"Yes.. the mixing of traditions will complicate matters from what I have read. The pattern of many known groups having exclusive memberships is large in numbers." The light rain trickling down from a gray sky. "I think we have to clarify what each of us are looking for within this group. Only then cn we decide what will take part when the group take shape." He glances to Nina. Nina Reynolds nods to Scarecrow, "I think Stormcloud is onto something. It will be wise to lay out what each of us is looking to gain out of the bonding. First.. I want to say I'm not intending to be the leader of this group if a leader is determined a neccesity to single out and label, I am mearly the catalyst that saw a need and worked to try and help all those whom sought similar insterest. Personally.. I'm looking for a group of persons whom wish to share experiences, knowledge.. the secrets of their art with each other and to assist in advice in all things magical and enlightened in the realm of gifts. I intend to spend much effort upon realigning myself with the greater force which flows through all life, for I have loosed some of my capacity because of some implantations in my body. I search to restore that ability so that I may feel fullfilled and complete again." "Religion," Leon perks up while the previous notion of his lips grows to something like a flat grin. "Is just another word for believe, isn't it? As soon as magic or whatever else supernatural power is involved and people able to command over such, ye will have influence of various believes. Instead of trying to avoid it, I would rather suggest to make it accepting different believe systems and incorporate them. I am convinced that we all believe in something at least, as am I sure that most modern concepts therive from a basic truth, or comon roots if ye want. It could be one of the goals of the group to find those roots." He looks back over to Scarecrow and nods, "I furthermore would suggest that everyone serious and interested in this project lays down as much facts of his believe as he is willing to. Based on this information we might find comon ties. It is my understanding that what most people here search is knowledge and individuals who are willing to exchange their experiences. The question is for what? To increase ones personal power or find a comon truth? I also think a point of interest might be to find allies in a world as dark as we live in today. I heard about some groups which have grown rather thight, performing deeds for the good of thei purpose, helping each other out when needed and going even so far that only members of the same group can be involved in ritual magics." Nina Reynolds offers openly to the group, "I am not a religious person myself.. likewise I don't condemn people for what they belive, but in the same aspect I expect the same in turn and others not to press their beliefs upon me. I'm flexible and adjust to whatever the world throws my way. Perhaps its this mindset that dislikes the rigid formality and system of beliefs that many religions bring into peoples lives. I can not bring myself to say this person is right, or this person is wrong. I mearly find the path which best fulfills what I feel is right and I live in that light which has offered itself as guidence to the path before me. Beliefs frequently bring bigotry and shortsightedness.. limitations and minds rutted within rules." Scarecrow nods to Nina as he turns to Leon and says,"Well. Seems as if we are still left with much to do and understand about each other. I only wish to grow, further and more than I have already." He fixes his raincoat as he says with a calm voice,"We each have our points of views, and nothing can be changed about the way we individualy see the world. Its not to have others think what we think, but to understand what the others believe." Nina Reynolds nods to Scarecrow, "I agree with that. I am all for understanding what others believe.. but I am not willing to take on the wide range of beliefs as my own.. for most of them are dynapically opposed to each other and would be immpossible to embrace as my own." "I doubt ye believe in nothing," Leon comments while his eyes flick back to Nina Reynolds, "there must be something, a source ye draw a power from others lack. Ye might not call it religion, but I call it a believe aswell." His head dips to the side, taking in Scarecrow again when he continues. "What brings me to my next question, this project was introuced to me as attempt for people to find 'likeminded' individuals to share knowledge. Now, does this also involve knowledges and experiences outside the ... mystical? I recently encountered some fellows very interested in also furthering martial skills. Well, she did," he dips his head to Joelle, "however, we maybe want to consider extending this project outside given boundaries, adding the exchange, knowledge and training of other, more mundane skills to it." Scarecrow agrees with nina as he makes his way off and says,"We should meet again. Or find a more private place to talk. I'm sure I can secure a room within the matrix.." "This is another thing we might wana talk about," Leon responds to the most recent comment while watching Scarecrow, "a place to meet. I neither like, nore trust the 'trix. We should find something everyone feels comfortable with and I on my side, definatly don't feel comfortable with meeting in a terrain and reality I have no knowledge of or desire for." Nina Reynolds inquires of Leon, "What terrain do you prefer?" Nina Reynolds looks to Mouse with a smile, secretly looking to see if she's really breathing. Scarecrow stops and walks back to the group as he takes out a blunt and says,"When I say I can make a secure place within the matrix, .. I mean it." He takes out the micro torch and tries to keep the water off his smoke. The blunt lights up as he inhales the essense of the ganja. He waits to see where the next meeting spot should be. Leon shrugs at Nina's question and moves his right to a vague gesture through the parking lot, "this reality. I know that it not necessarily is safe, but then again, I learned soon that there is nothing like hundred percent security, neither virtualy, nore mundane nore astral. I just happen to have experience with astral and mundane foes. So maybe we could some point consider and try to find a mundane location which is adequate for discussion." He looks back to Scarecrow and continues, "I didn't hear me saying ye can't, but ye see, from my perspective it is like saying, I will secure ourselves a cave somewhere in the rural areas outside of the city. It'd be safe too, if ye would feel comfortable with meeting there is another question." It seems the girl really is as quiet as her nickname. She seems to be just standing there letting you all decide what happens. Every so often she shifts her weight around. At Leon's nod towards her and mention of the martial skills, she smiles softly and shrugs a bit self-consious. Her eyebrows raise slightly at Scarecrow's sore spot but then shrugs it off. Nina Reynolds offers as a suggestion, "We could always meet on that wildlife preserve island in the river.. its' highly attuned to the magically active and a group of glowing mages or shamans gathering there would draw very little attention at all." Scarecrow exhales his smoke as he says with a calm tone of voice,"We could meet at both, at different times. I doubtwe will conclude to a solid decision anytime soon.." He holds the blunt and protects it from the rain as the smoke rises slowly within the rain. Nina Reynolds nods to Scarecrow, "Stormcloud and I could meet in the 'trix and discuss matters and I could relay them in person with Worg and Mouse.. this anyways would allow a bit more flexability... easier to schedule three to meet than four." Leon stays silent for a moment and just stares a bit. Well, perhaps he is thinking. However, when Nina speaks up his head dips to a nod. "Agreed, more easy that way," he responds to her comment with a bit more satisfaction in his voice. This might be well caused by it opening a possibility fo him to escape having to enter a location he dosen't want to, the matrix. Nina Reynolds nods and hands out three napkins, each with her phone number and email address on it. 2600-70897, blahblahblah, "These are the quickest ways to find me." Scarecrow tucks the napkin away as he takes in a calm breath or herb and exhales relaxation within a thick cloud of smoke. He nods to Nina and says,"Ok.. I'll look depper into the matter so of other scriptures, see what best fits out currnet potenial." Leon reaches out to accept the napkn, casts a brief glance at it and lets it vanish in his pocket. The same turn a small chip carried, including datachip is retrived and offered in return. Despite his previously displayed technophobic, or actually matriphobic behavior he appears to have no complains about modern business cards. "This are the number and address I am reachable for the next couple of days still." Joelle pockets the napkin without a glance before the rain can cause the ink to run too much but stays silent Nina Reynolds accepts the datachip and slips it into a pocket of her trenchcoat with the freehand which isn't holding her umbrella, "Don't hesitate to contact me for a one on one meeting if you want. A more personal and intimate.. well.. that might not be the best word.. a more personal time with each other may yeild quicker progress in understanding each other as these things go." she looks down the alley to the east and appologizes the group, "I must be going now.. I have responsibilities elswhere and must tend to them now." Scarecrow looks over as Nina takes the card from Leon and nods as he says,"I can only be reached. one way. and thats at stormcloud@anonymous.axa.net." He gives a tusky smirk and starts in the opposite direction of Nina's departure as he says,"See ya around" in his dulled out German accent. He nods to Leon and Joelle as he makes a unhurried departure. "I'd have had no objections to intimate neither though," this is said of course to Nina. Leon's lips twitch up a bit more and he takes a slow step back as the two, Reynolds and Scarecrow, announce their departure. Moving backwards in direction of the alley again shadows and darkness soon threaten to consume his figure once more. Whatever otherworldy effect not gone yet. "take care and watch ye back, both of ye." Scarecrow has left. Nina Reynolds rolls 10 dice against a TN 4: 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 7 (3 successes) Nina Reynolds rolls 12 dice against a TN 3: 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 5 5 10 11 11 (9 successes) Joelle nods at the two as she realizes departure is emminant. The girl hasn't said word one through the whole meeting. Even before Leon has finished his first step, she's turning and disappearing into the shadows again quickly, seemingly much more comfortable there. Nina Reynolds starts walking east, her body shifting quickly and then vanishing completely and heads off out of the meeting location.