February 6, 2008

At the Diner

Zoe spent the day at work.  The actress was still studying her script in a booth and drinking coffee.  Zoe tried to engage her in conversation, but the woman was not interested.  Zoe did not notice anything unusual about the actress. 

At Kyna’s House

When Kyna went to bed as soon as she got home.  When she rose in the morning, the doorbell rang, and there was a delivery guy with an orchid plant.  She used her Sight and determined that the man was normal.  There was a card with the plant that said “Beauty for a beauty.”  She tended to the plant and then went to the the Diner for brunch.

At Walter’s Office

When Walter returned to his office, he checked his messages.   One was from the Devon asking when his next appointment was.  They must have forgotten.  He made a note to call them in the morning.  Another was growling and heavy breathing.  He checked the caller ID, but the number was unlisted.  Then he went to bed.  When he awoke the following morning, there was a package at his door.  Inside was a crystal paperweight with natural crystal dodecahedron inside it.  There was a note that just said “Thank you.”  He cleaned up and then went to the diner.

At Ely’s House

Ely went to sleep as he had nothing better to do.  When he awoke, he checked for messages.  Seeing none, he went to a diner 

At the Diner

Zoe found a $500 tip in a booth that had not been occupied.  Ely found an envelope in his usual booth. Inside was a diamond stick pin and a note that said “We appreciate your efforts.”   He ordered waffles for everyone.  Then his pager went off.  “So you did get the gift” it said.  He texted back “Sure.”  The waffles arrived and were consumed.  They related their gifts to each other.  Ely told them that he thought it was payment from his employer for the troll assignment.

When they started talking about their gifts, the actress left, though it was about the time she normally did.  They tried to remember what part she got, but could not.  Kyna recalled that the play would generate magical energy when performed on March 15th.  Ely remembered that they were recruiting mundanes to participate in the ritual.  Since people did not usually conceal good rituals, Walter suggested that the ritual was probably not beneficial to the general welfare.

They decided to do some research into the theater.  Zoe and Walter went to the Arlington County Government Center to look up the tax records.  Ely went to get more ammunition:  wood shot, silver shot, cold iron shot, a crow bar, and holy water.

Kyna attempted to find out who the wizard was.  She noticed a young man following her.  She confronted him.  He refused to communicate with her.

At the Arlington County Government Center

Walter and Zoe went to the Bureau of Land Management, where Walter paid $50 for a copy of the records for the theater.  The Arlington Theater Company, Inc. owned the theater, but that was all that was provided.  They then called Ely to make inquiries in Richmond about the Arlington Theater Company, Inc.  The Arlington Theater Company, Inc. was not noteworthy. Their records and paperwork were up to date. But they did rent out the theater to other groups.  He had the documents faxed to Walter’s machine.

At Kyna’s House

Having discovered that she had been followed, Kyna went home and brewed something.

At the Diner

Walter went to his office to collect the paperwork and brought them to the diner.  Zoe, Ely and Kyna were there.  It was around 3:00.  Kyna noted that her shadow was still watching her.  Ely chased him off.  Zoe thought about what she knew about the theater.  It ran shows about 4 times a year, and the plays ran for 3 or 4 weeks.  They usually advertised heavily, and rehearsals ran for a few months before the performances started.  The play in question was unusual because it was only running for one night, had not yet been advertised, and were only starting rehearsals.

Kyna suggested that the wizard might be easier to identify if they had a photograph.  Zoe waited outside the door and took pictures of the cast members as they arrived for rehearsal and got them developed at the one hour photo place.  The pictures were not very clear.  

Zoe decided to ask her grandmother about the theater.  Grandmother was unbreakable.  Zoe emerged distraught.  She had learned nothing.  They shared Ely’s rum in sympathy.

The Group

  • Zoe Kallas – waitress at grandparents’ diner in Arlington; journalism graduate looking for a real journalism job. (Changling who has no clue, mother was fey of Summer Court)
  • Ely Vantide – debt collector – all kinds of debt. (Emissary of Power for a Dragon)
  • Kyna Quinlan – wizard of Irish descent. New to the White Council. Muscle for Ely.
  • Walter Ballard – were-leopard and therapist to the Supernatural.