Moonlit World - Savage Beginnings

[Michale CS]

It's been several months since our American trip, and subsequent journey into the Never never.

Things have settled for a young couple with a match made in hell. One day someone comes into the London Shop.

He stands 6'5"and is built like a linebacker. He has a tan and incredible blue eyes.Dark long and curly hair. Handsome enough to even get your attention. He spends three or four thousand on a few coins. Then he left you a card. Oddly enough, it was from that bar, the one where you first met me.

On the back it has a name. He picked up a carrying case for a fishing pole outside.

SHORIUS with a phone number. And the following brief message. I'd like to talk to you and your friend. You come recommended by Egg.


[[ Invite Only for Moonlit World Clan Members. Contact @Gands if interested in joining. ]]

 

[Ringmaster]

Double, double, toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

Something wicked this way comes.

It had been a long time since he felt a need to use a car or a plane, or even a boat as he favored. Not when he could simply take a step and be through the Nevernever and out into a place where he could lose himself in a crowd. Like the airport. He rather liked airports, at least what they represented. Languages babbled in a thousand native tongues, with over a thousand stories. A melting pot, much like New York City. On the bench where he was reading a copy of the Daily Prophet, he flicked over the articles without really getting into it, his features furrowed into a rather thoughtful expression.

He was a young looking man, with old eyes. Dressed in a clean, if somewhat battered overcoat. His hair was slicked back, in a finger-combed methodology and gave off the air of a man, who generally didn't think about these things. A beat later, he spoke and it was like a kettle whistle, but more chilling to the bone. A sibilant, sinister array of hisses as he spun a pencil in his free hand. And what it said was this.

"What's a fourteen letter word for a sea goddess who rules by fear?"

And from his sleeve, a reply with the same hissing language returned casually.

"Arnapkapfaaluk."

"Thank you dear." He said absently in English, writing out the name in the crossword. And then a beat later, he lifted up his head and blinked.

"....Do you sense something?"

Within the magical sleeve storage, a massive snake coiled and resting hissed aloud.

The wizard nodded and got to his feet, placing the newspaper in his overcoat as he said contemplatively.

"Somewhere, the laws of magic feel distorted by something. Lets go poke it with a stick."

Had Nagina the ability, she would have rolled her eyes.

Here we go again.

@Michale CS @Gands @Finally put in a post.​

 

[Gands]

New York

Alex

Chatting with Cyn at the hotel room. " You know Cyn, we've seen a few things you and I. But I don't think this is a private investigation kind of company. Too much going on. I'm going to remain open minded at least, but a little guarded too. If you see anything that bugs you let me know right away. "

Savage Institute

" He comes, he has been diverted, if we do nothing else, that should be success.

"Good, from what you've predicted before we will need him. Him and the two women both. I will send Giancarlo to the airport to meet him and bring him here in the morning. Shorius can pick up the ladies using the Rolls, might as well air it out a bit. Hamm, do you have an opinion ?

Not really, I am still looking over the rules of the White Council as regards the English mages. I don't believe we'll have any problems. I'll have an answer for you by the time he shows up in the morning.

In the morning, Shorius shows up to pick Cyn and Alex.

" Good Morning Ladies, I hope you both slept well ? "

They are taken to the Empire State Building. Shorius brings them to a hidden express elevator that goes specifically to the 87th floor.

At the Airport, Giancarlo is waiting for Tom Riddle. With a sign, that says T.M. R underneath that, it then reads SAVAGE INSTITUTE

@Michale CS @Ringmaster

 

[Ringmaster]

At the Airport, Giancarlo is waiting for Tom Riddle. With a sign, that says T.M. R underneath that, it then reads SAVAGE INSTITUTE

@Michale CS @Ringmaster

"Isn't that a bit on the nose?"

Riddle replied to his sleeve in an undertone. One thing was clear, whatever would be coming, he certainly didn't expect the equivalent of an engraved invitation. Which meant one of two things. One was that whoever had been trying to get his attention knew he was in the area, and did the following to make him jump. The second was tied into Divination, with few seers ever gaining this level of control. Either way?

Color him intrigued. He could never resist a good puzzle, especially one that appealed to his vanity.

Maybe that was why he wasn't welcomed as warmly in Las Vegas anymore.

Putting that from his mind, he stepped forward and flashed a smile, green eyes shining with a fleck of red if you looked deep within.

Not something most wished to do where wizards were concerned.

"Good day to you sir. I believe I'm expected?"

@Gands​

 

[Gands]

The Savage Institute 9 am

As the three of you, Tom, Cyn and Alex are ushered respectfully into the offices of the Savage institute on the 87th floor of the Empire state building. The décor is outstanding, in exquisite taste if a bit dated. Everything is freshly painted, new materials and old designs.

For Tom and Cyn, the presence of impressive magical protections is evident. Not obvious mind you, but evident to those who have some skill and are looking at things from the inside.

The three of you are led to a large office space. Sitting behind the desk is a woman, tall, relatively thin, well dressed. her age is indeterminate, but it is clear that she is in the winter of her years. ( For Tom ) it is clear she is a magus, likely white council. ( For Cyn ) You recognize a Magus when you see one.

There are others as well. Giancarlo you recognize. Shorius too at least the girls. Hamm Brooks is there, he too is age indeterminate, but looks younger than the woman behind the desk. On the opposite end of the desk there is a woman with a high peaked hairstyle. She is pale with deep blue eyes. Lastly, seated far to one side another woman.

The older woman behind the large ornate desk starts to speak now.

" Thank you all for coming. My name is Pat Savage. The gentleman to my right is former Brigadier General Theodore Marley Brooks. To my left is my friend Tiresias. Aside of Mister Brooks, is my associate and friend Shorius. Aside of Tiresias is my associate and friend Giancarlo. Far to the left, my dear dear friend, Doctor Pauline Michelson.

Of note, by your senses, all of those present, including yourselves, are paranormal.

"Now to answer the question you will all three have. It has been the self appointed duty of our little organization to stand between this world and those in the next that wish our destruction. This organization was started by my father, Clark Savage senior, now deceased. My brother, Clark Savage Junior disappeared in the late 1940's. Mister Brooks, is the only remnant of my brother's superior team. We were not active between 1950 and 1995. We managed a team for some years in the late eighties and early nineties. That being said, most recently we've been in mothballs. "

" Now our funding is healthy, and the enemy sadly is very active. " She retrieves something from a desk drawer, handing it to Tiresias who hands it to Giancarlo, who hands it to Tom. It is a stone circle, not unlike a coin, with a warped star inside a circle on one side and what looks like a tree branch on the other.

" Do you, anyone you recognize this ? "

@Michale CS @Ringmaster

 

[Ringmaster]

" Now our funding is healthy, and the enemy sadly is very active. " She retrieves something from a desk drawer, handing it to Tiresias who hands it to Giancarlo, who hands it to Tom. It is a stone circle, not unlike a coin, with a warped star inside a circle on one side and what looks like a tree branch on the other.

" Do you, anyone you recognize this ? "

"Where did you find this?"

Tom's voice was quiet, but suddenly urgent as he flicked his gaze upwards directly on the speaker, after a passing glimpse. That was all it took before he had visibly started as he explained.

"This...Is a protective sign against a very, particular enemy and one I will not name, not even here. Where did you find this sign?"

Passing it over to the others, he turned to them and pressed his fingers together.

"This, ladies and gentleman is what is known...As the Elder Sign. Observe on both sides, the symbols of protection- The star and the branch. Used as a warding, in exorcisms...The sign has by and large, died out as memory faded and the creatures they were meant to stop, have been forgotten."

He took a seat and sat sprawled, as he tapped his fingers in thought and a giant, green snake began to uncoil from within his right sleeve, resting over his shoulders with eerie, far-to-intelligent eyes for a mere animal.

"....That we see it here, bodes ill for what I think might be coming." He glanced at their host impatiently.

@Gands @Michale CS​

 

[Gands]

Savage Institute.

Pat Savage

"Excellent Mr. Riddle, you uphold the reputation of yourself and your school very well. The creatures you speak of are called Outsiders by the White Council. Their overall goal would be to rewrite our reality. "

She paused to get a drink of coffee.

" This has been one of the primary purposes of the Savage Family since my Grandfather's time years ago, to thwart the outsiders. Over the years, we dig ourselves up ( She smiles ) when incursions are discovered in our reality. More often the outsiders try incursions on the closer borders to our reality, what we call Hell or Hades, and the Far kingdoms. It has been my family's opinion, that this is part of the underworld's true purpose."

She takes out a Vape stick, activates it, taking a puff. Some of you catch Dr. Michaelson making a face. She looks at Cynthia then.

"It is rumored, denizens of the underworld have a special gift regarding this conflict. To answer your question Mister Riddle, that particular Star stone was found by my brother in 1925, up in Maine."

"Any questions so far ?"

@Ringmaster
@Michale CS

 

[Ringmaster]

"You're recruiting us for your war effort then?"

He questioned, eyes peering at them as Nagini hissed in reply.

@Gands @Michale CS​

 

[Gands]

Savage Institute

Pat Savage

" My war ? ( she chuckles ) You think perhaps I am the only one with stakes in this, the only one who cares ? ( she laughs again ) I am but a small cog in this machine my dear Mister Riddle. Do you wish me to call on those by who's leave I conduct my affairs within this endeavor ? "

She takes a drink of clear liquid from a cup on her desk.

"Every inhabitant in this dimension has stakes in these affairs Mister Riddle. Yes, I think all three of you will be incredibly useful defending our world from those that would destroy it. "

@Michale CS @Ringmaster

 

[Ringmaster]

Savage Institute

Pat Savage

" My war ? ( she chuckles ) You think perhaps I am the only one with stakes in this, the only one who cares ? ( she laughs again ) I am but a small cog in this machine my dear Mister Riddle. Do you wish me to call on those by who's leave I conduct my affairs within this endeavor ? "

She takes a drink of clear liquid from a cup on her desk.

"Every inhabitant in this dimension has stakes in these affairs Mister Riddle. Yes, I think all three of you will be incredibly useful defending our world from those that would destroy it. "

@Michale CS @Ringmaster

"Except that as much as we wish, we couldn't recruit wholesale. The more people in the know, the more dangerous they are. Aren't they? This seems to me, in light of this that you've been watching us for a long time, considering before drawing us in."

He leaned back in his seat before adding in a musing tone.

"As it is, I've had...Experience of my own in these things."

@Gands​

 

[Gands]

Savage institute New York

Pat Savage

She smiles, clearly pleased at his line of reasoning.

"My friend Tiresias is a seer of some considerable ability. She makes suggestions, I then follow up with resources. I have contacts aplenty in the wizarding world Mister Riddle. "

"So, yes..In fact I always do my homework with regards to recruits. For example, I discussed the position with Alexandra's father, literally asking about you Alexandra and asking your Father's permission. "

"Also Cynthia, I have written permission to offer you a job without danger of legitimate upset from your Father. "


Alexandra

She has been listening carefully to this point. She knows her head before speaking.

" Alright, that is comforting if true, I will certainly verify. Does your written verification indicate who the signer was for Cynthia ?"

Pat Savage

"Yes dear, it was by design a contract worked out by Hamm here, in the legalese accepted by that realm and the courts of this one".

@Ringmaster @Michale CS

 

[Ringmaster]

A riddle, in a chinese puzzle box, locked with an enigma. That was the whole extent of the new, hidden war he found himself on. A war against dark names and outsiders and things man was not meant to know. But here they were and he nodded, once in acknowledgement before asking.

"Where do we begin then?"

@Gands @Michale CS​

 

[Gands]

Pat Savage

" I want you all to think about it, perhaps take a look around our facilities and we'll meet again in the morning. Mr. Riddle, Giancarlo will escort you about and for you ladies Dr. Michaelson. They will answer questions as best they can, any they cant will be answered tomorrow. For the record, our first likely ... investigation will be here in the states, in the northeast up in Maine.

@Michale CS @Ringmaster

 

[York]

Evelyn Fisher
@Michale CS @Ringmaster @Gands

Like a moth to a flame, Evelyn was brought to this particular area... But this time, to a less than direct call.

Perhaps it was intuition, or dumb luck, but all the same, she had noticed a distinct aura of unrest around the place, like there was something afoot, though that something, was a great mystery.

She knew she would have to do some lengthy digging, through various places, to figure out just what had drawn her to this place... But little did she know, that said digging, would eventually end up with her caught in the midst of what could potentially be some sort of conflict.

Some matters were best left alone, but in Evelyn's case... She had a habbit of pressing further anyways, and thus... She too, would indubitably end up being whisked away by Vandal, another addition to the small group she had already gathered.​

 

[Ringmaster]

He bowed his head and went to retire to whatever quarters were provided in turn.

He had some preparation to catch up on.

@Gands @york @MichaleCS​

 

[Gands]

Savage institute

Shorius

Evelyn found herself drawn, up up and more up through a couple of elevators in the elegant Empire state building. Drawn still further to the 87th floor and the offices of the Savage Institute. Dressed in jeans, biker boots and a loose fitting velour shirt, a tall man answers when you ring the bell. Of note, the style of the bell, the door and the printing on the door all seem older to you. Not modern.

"Well hello there, welcome to the Savage Institute. My name is Shorius, how can I help you ?

@york

 

[Gands]

Savage institute

Giovani

" Well sir, allow me to show you around".

Giovani is shorter than Tom. He carries himself as a soldier and usually you can see a bit of a glint in his grey9669+
8 eyes. He carries no weapons and his hands, and his fingernails seem dirty. He is dressed in a suit.

He shows Tom through the facility. Which from a certain point of view might be considered impressive. But all of it was old, the style, the inner design work and architecture. From the original design of the building he would guess. He could feel the inner workings of the warding spells. Powerful warding spells, monitored and regularly redone. There were three libraries, one regular, one occult and one magical. Several scientific labs and one thoroughly modern computer room.

As Giovani opens the door, a young woman looks up from her screen. " Oh hi G, ooooh, there was a meeting wasn't there. Damnit !. Hi there Marvelous ! < she smiles > G, close the door on the way out wont you ? ".

Giovani smiles and shakes his head slowly. " You got it Kiki.".

That's Kiki, our technomancer.

@Ringmaster

 

[York]

Savage institute

Shorius

Evelyn found herself drawn, up up and more up through a couple of elevators in the elegant Empire state building. Drawn still further to the 87th floor and the offices of the Savage Institute. Dressed in jeans, biker boots and a loose fitting velour shirt, a tall man answers when you ring the bell. Of note, the style of the bell, the door and the printing on the door all seem older to you. Not modern.

"Well hello there, welcome to the Savage Institute. My name is Shorius, how can I help you ?

@york

Evelyn Fisher
@Michale CS @Ringmaster @Gands

Evelyn took a long pause to gather her thoughts together, before she finally spoke, trying to be as formal as possible.

"Let's just say I'm looking to become a recruit?" She said casually.

"You could say I'm a thrill seeker of sorts... Of the paranormal kind; I like to see where the rabbit hoee goes, ya know? And it just so happens that the most recent one I hopped down... Brought me here. To you."

She smirked a little, crossing her arms. Looks like she was pretty intrigued about whatever business was going down around here... And, it looked like this wouldn't be the first time she had dabbled into something like this...​

 

[Gands]

Savage Institute

Shorius

" Well, please come in wont you ?

There is something of a waiting room with a armored glass receptionist desk. There are several large potted plants a couple of small tables and several comfortable looking chairs, which Shorius chooses to sit in one.

"First thing I wonder Miss, is what lead you here of all places ?. Second, perhaps something to call you ? "

He gets a clipboard from one of the tables that has a pen and paper attached to it.

" Third, it is possible what we do could be dangerous, do you have any talents that lend themselves to survival ? "

" On the positive side, we are hiring ( He smiles wide here )

@york

 

[York]

Evelyn Fisher
@Michale CS @Ringmaster @Gands

Evelyn came in, but, cocked her head, pausing for a moment to reflect upon the trail she followed that had inevitably lead her here, though after a few moments, she just shrugged.

"I like to... Dig into certain... Matters. Hop down rabbit holes, y'know?" She said, shrugging a little.

"Guess I followed one of 'dem rabbit holes here." She added.

Then, there was a bit of a pause as she considered what Shorius told her next for a mere moment, seeming quite dismissive of the potential dangers of a job here... Which made it clear that this wouldn't be her first time tangling with affairs like this, she might even be a regular of sorts, a thrillseeker, maybe?

"Just call me Evelyn, Fisher that is. If yer looking for a trailbazer who knows th' way around a few weapons... I'm yer gal!" She said, grinning from ear to ear.

"But ya see... My sorta trails don't always come knocking on my door... So... I've got my way of... Digging for em, eh?"

Evelyn seemed to have lowered her voice at that last part, evidently seeming to want to be a bit more... Discreet about that detail, as it could certainly land her in a heap of trouble, presuming this all got aired in some way, and though she hadn't mentioned it... Some of the "digging" she did might fall in the grey area in terms of "lawfullness".

On the bright side, she'd at least have a job here... Presuming she met the criteria.​

 

[Gands]

Shorius

" So Evelyn, what do you do when trouble finds you ?

" for example "

He rolled off his chair quick as a snake and flicked something, which turned midair into a spear, skewering a chair on the far side of the room.

" my gifts are physical mostly. How about yours?