# groovygamers.com

## secretoracle's Games => Back Issues => Topic started by: secretoracle on September 04, 2007, 09:20:28 AM

Title: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: secretoracle on September 04, 2007, 09:20:28 AM Donnie has spent some time shadowing his father, and he's learned a few things. Donald Douglas is a well liked man at his place of work. He has a corner office on the 18th floor, and from the 22nd floor of the Eagle Industries building, where the massive bird head motiff's jut on the four corners, there is space enough to park a dragon and watch his office with binoculars. Douglas usually has lunch in his office, which consists of a club sandwich and his secretary. She's athletic, and very flexible. Mr. Douglas takes advantage of both of these things. After lunch dad showers and heads out of his office. Donnie knows he goes to the sports club in the building's basement where he plays hand ball or raquet ball with assorted managers and they have what the waiter at the ajoining juice bar calls fitness meetings. After the fitness meetings Douglas is back in his office, showers, and is then on his PC until close of business which is usually around 3:30PM. He leaves the office, but Donnie can never remember his dad getting home before 6PM. It's not hard for Donnie to figure out where his father is going, since his secretary lives three blocks from the EL stop where Douglas parks his car to commute into the city. He's so conscientice about the environment. This is the usual routine, except for Thursday. Dad is normally home by 6PM for Chinese food with Donnie, and he skips his trip to the secretary. Instead he goes to another office near the airport for about an hour. It's a second floor walk up in a little shopping center right over a 7-11 store. He turns the lights on when he gets there and shuts them off when he leaves. From there he goes home. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 04, 2007, 04:06:15 PM Donnie spends the first couple days both fascinated and repulsed watching his father have sex with his secretary. After the second day, (and finally deciding that it was more repulsive than fascinating) he usually stares into the sky or discusses things draconic with one of his dragons during Dad's lunch hour. He does not watch every day, because skipping school would become quite noticable if he did, but after catching hs father leaving and heading out to the crummy little office, he made sure to go at least three afternoons a week. He tried to see into the office from afar, but the blinds were always drawn. The two weeks after catching his dad at the restaraunt with the Secretary, Thursday night chinese has been awkward and silent. His mom is curious about it, stealing glances at Donnie as the blonde teen picks at his food and refuses any attempts at conversation. After dinner, he always disappears into his room. After the fourth or fifth visit to the secret office, he calls his mom's cell and says he's gonna be at a movie with his friends, then turns off the cell phone. He waits until his dad leaves the secret office, then fifteen minutes more, before heading over to the rooftop to see if there was a roof access point. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: secretoracle on September 04, 2007, 05:41:15 PM There is a door on the roof that provides access the the stairwell. It's not difficult to get past it and into the building itself. There are two offices here, one is the front facing office Donnie's dad uses and the other is a rear facing office for an attorney. The sign on the door and the location makes Donnie think ambulance chaser. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 05, 2007, 12:04:30 AM Donnie pulls his mask over his head, just in case, and tries the handle to his dad's office. If it is locked, he will try the old credit (in this case library) card trick and try to pop the lock. His heart is pounding, the thrill and fear of actually breaking into an office makes him grin an nearly a grimace as adrenaline pours through him. Am I breaking the law? As he begins, he summons Pip and sends the little dragon out to the roof to keep watch. ooc: is there a sign on Dad's office door? Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: secretoracle on September 05, 2007, 08:48:40 AM Quote from: BaboonBill on September 05, 2007, 12:04:30 AM ooc: is there a sign on Dad's office door? OOC: No sign. Need a (D20 (modified by IT bonus) -7 roll) please. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 05, 2007, 10:09:36 AM 1d20+2-5=-1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=1243220) ooc: lol, not a chance. First time I have rolled a negative number.. Frustrated, Donnie gives up. He ponders having Pip eat the door handle or using the sword to cut his way in, but the idea behind being sneaky is not leaving any trace of.. waitaminute. I wonder if.. He goes back up to the roof and turns back on his cell phone and dials a number. "Sarah? Hi, it's Donnie. Can you do me a really big favor?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 06, 2007, 09:00:51 AM Sarah glances at her phone and smiles, flipping it open an answering, "Hey Donnie, uh sure. Want me to pick up a pizza for a game session or something? I can get it piping hot to your door in ten minutes or less or your money back." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 06, 2007, 10:15:21 AM "Ehh. No. I actually need you for what you told us about last week. Your newest, uh, talent. I'll tell you all about it in person. Want me to pick you up? I am near the airport." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 06, 2007, 10:35:28 AM Sarah smiles thinking of a hungry little Pip. She says, "Us? Are your friends with you? I'll bring cookies! Just give me a landmark and I'll be there in a minute. Wait.. Midway or O'Hare? I'll need to know if I'm heading North or South." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 06, 2007, 02:27:21 PM Donnie gives her directions to the appropriate rooftop above the 7-11. When she arrives, she finds him in full get-up, his leather fighter helmet on his knee and Pip gamboling around the roof. He smiles at her and Pip chirps in glee, divrbombing her shoulder. He can't contain his excitement when she produces the cookies. Donnie waves away her offer and motions with his hand an open spot on the roof. "Can you keep a secret? Seriously, like from Colin? It's nothing harmful to anyone else or supernatural. Just.. private." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 06, 2007, 02:43:27 PM Sarah gestures to Donnie's outfit. "Aw man. I totally have to get my act together. I've got some pieces picked out and I never wear them. I have to start dressing for the occasson. I'm totally going to get snubbed by the other supers." To Donnie's question she nods and says, "Yep." She hand feeds Pip several cookies, scratching the little dragon's scales. "Whoosa good widdle dragon? You are!" Finally polishing off the sack of cookies she brushes off her hands and gives Donnie her serious face. "Colin doesn't have to know anything. I don't have to know much if you can promise no one is going to get hurt. I can appreciate private." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 06, 2007, 07:47:58 PM Donnie sighs. "Thanks. I need to get into the office downstairs. I am investigating what my father does, and he comes here every Thursday instead of his regular routine, which consists of going to spend the afternoon at his secretary's condo in the city. This isn't his normal office. I want to know why he comes here and spends several hours. I am finding out all my father's sordid secrets this week." He shrugs. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 06, 2007, 08:09:29 PM Sarah blinks a few times before figuring out something to say, "Well.. okay then. Is there a way to peak in? Mail flap? Keyhole, window?" She smiles and says, "Why don't we go take a look and I'll see what I can do. " Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 06, 2007, 08:48:33 PM "Window. I could have Althea lower you down or something. Or we could go across the street. You can see in if Dad hasn't closed the shades." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 06, 2007, 09:28:40 PM "The across the street idea works for me. I'll be right back." Sarah moves over until she can see the building Donnie was suggesting and is gone in a blink. From the roof she tries to look into the office window. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: secretoracle on September 06, 2007, 10:13:52 PM She can see somewhat into the window. Don't worry. Let's make this our first cooperative jump. Morpheous says. OOC: Ignore any changes in color for voices in your head. The GM is too lazy to check the right color. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 07, 2007, 05:58:04 AM Sarah nods to herself.. well to Morpheus but.. "Cool!" With Morpheus' help she teleports into the office. OOC: No worries. I think I'll manage to figure it out okay. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: secretoracle on September 10, 2007, 08:04:21 PM The office is lit some by the street lamps outside, and there are a few flashing leds on the bank of computers in the closet. There is one desk, a telephone, and little else. A small filing cabinet holds software boxes (windows, office, etc). There are six servers in the rack, a KVM switch on the desk lets the pair of monitors and single keyboard & mouse handle them all. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 10, 2007, 09:18:21 PM Sarah holds still, looking around with her eyes. She looks at the ceiling and walls for a motion sensor, camera and finally for a security alarm on the door before she opens it for Donnie. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: secretoracle on September 10, 2007, 09:41:23 PM Sarah sees nothing of the sort in the room. The door is easily opened to let Donnie in. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 11, 2007, 08:13:27 AM Sarah waves Donnie into the room. She gestures to the bank of computers and says, "Definitely looks like he's busy in here. That's a pile of computer power for just one person. Want me to stick around or would you like to sort this out on your own?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 11, 2007, 08:29:01 AM ooc: dammit lost my original post. Donnie enters the room, squeezing Sarah on the shoulder as he passes by. "Thank you." He looks around for a moment, then says "Originally, I thought I would do this solo, but if you have the time, I would appreciate it if you could stay." He looks at the banks of monitors, his geekside noting the expensive server array and set up. He sits down at the desk and cracks his knuckles before turning on the monitors. "Okay let's see what we have here." If Computer rolls are necessary, I have already made mine, though I lost the link. I rolled a 2 for a total of 6, so likely I will take a hero point to reroll. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: secretoracle on September 11, 2007, 09:15:41 AM OOC: You're not getting passed the passwords on these machines with a 6. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 11, 2007, 09:54:51 AM Crap. Bad day for dice rolling eevidently.. Computers reroll (1d20+6=11) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=1256787) SO I will take the 16 for using the hero point then. If THAT doesn't work, I will take 20 and promise to buy Sarah her favorite pizza. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: secretoracle on September 11, 2007, 10:09:30 AM OOC: Sarah is going to be eating pizza later. After failing to overcome the security for several minutes, Donnie finally manages to get into the system. OOC: Need a computers roll for a data search to see if you come can figure out what this is all about. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 11, 2007, 10:10:52 AM Sarah finds a comfy corner and relaxes. She tries to meditate or something else useful rather than ask constant annoying questions or hum off key to drive Donnie INSANE. It's vacation after all. "Just let me know if you need me to make a coffee or snack run." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 11, 2007, 11:17:21 AM Donnie looks over at her, a mischevious smile on his face. "So you'll just 'pop' on out to get it then? heh heh. No. Dinner is on me tonight. It's gonna take me few to crack Dad's codes." A lil' bit better: COmputer Search (1d20+6=14) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=1256851) Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: secretoracle on September 11, 2007, 11:51:28 AM They system appears to be financial data for a number of companies, probably fifty or sixty based on what you can tell from the data structures. Not much in the way of email, mostly spam stuff. His contact list has about two hundred names, vendors and sales people, managers. Plenty of the companies from the database are in the contact categories. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 11, 2007, 11:57:24 AM Donnie opens the web browser and checks the history. He then checks recent documents, programs, etc.. After that he will begin going through the desk, checking the garbage, etc.. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: secretoracle on September 11, 2007, 01:02:07 PM There is software running to purge the recent docs list as well as the browser cache, even the indexing file is empty. The desk has a bok of pens, 2 are missing, and a pad of paper which is fresh. There is no garbage in the waste bin. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 11, 2007, 01:27:54 PM "Hmmm. Extremely thorough. Too thorough." Donnie leans back in his chair, then pops back forward. He goes to the county auditor's office and looks up who owns the building, to see if it gives any leads. "Too bad we can't ask the ambulance chaser across the hall without arousing suspicion." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: secretoracle on September 11, 2007, 02:22:52 PM The building is owned by a land management firm that owns about forty buildings in the city. Mostly strip mall type places with fifteen to twenty tennants each. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 11, 2007, 10:49:24 PM "X over seven," calls out Sarah as she snaps out of her nap. She rubs her eyes and asks sleepily, "Did you find out anything yet? I'm going to grab a coffee, would you like one? Or a soda?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 11, 2007, 11:45:05 PM Donnie explains what little he has found, again remarking how strangely antiseptic the office and procedures were. "If it were a bit messy, or have bills filed, or show some sign of regular use, I might dismiss the whole thing as something for his financial office. But it's too clean. It's too neat." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 12, 2007, 08:46:41 AM Sarah nods in agreement with his assessment. She says, "Yeah. I think you are right. I mean I don't know your dad. If he's not a neat freak then this is odd for sure. It makes it seem pretty sketchy. I'm being nosy but why are we in here anyway? What got you looking for this place Donnie? You mentioned he's having an affair with his secretary. I'd be kind of hung up about that if it were my Dad rather than digging for a second office. Do you think he's up to something illegal? Should I be getting into Veronica Mars mode or something? Actually you are doing the investigation so I guess that makes me Wallace but you aren't dressed nearly as nice as Veronica. She could carry that jacket off no problem but you totally win with the cool dragons. I mean they beat out a malamute any day. OH and hey! Syl could carry off the angry on again off again love interest that ... uh... so how about those coffees?" Sarah realizes a little too late to stop stretching for tv show similarities. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 10:00:35 AM Donnie looks a little lost after Sarah's monologue, but shakes his head to clear it and respond. "Um. My father seemed to come into some serious money. I mean, like huge. We went from a condo into one of the nicer new communities. He takes his secretary out all the time, has the most expensive AV set up money can buy, drives a new Lexus, lets mom buy whatever she wants (probably to keep her happy in his skewed mind), and works wierd hours for a financial analyst. I dunno. He's hiding so much of his life from me, I just wonder what else he is hiding." He picks glumly at a frayed thread on his aviator's jacket. "Screw it. Let's jet. We can call Colin and Sylvia and see if they want pizza. Make a nice night out of a crappy week." ooc: Does Donnie's dad have a laptop he brings home and takes to work? Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: secretoracle on September 12, 2007, 10:19:51 AM Quote from: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 10:00:35 AM ooc: Does Donnie's dad have a laptop he brings home and takes to work? OOC: No. He has a soft sided brief case that he carries to and from the ofice. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 03:59:50 PM Colin and Sylvia get the secret Super Friends call sign: Free Pizza! They are sitting in a booth sucking on cokes and waiting for the pizza when Donnie broaches the subject. "So, um. I have been investigating my dad." sluuuurp. He waits for a response. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: Doc on September 12, 2007, 04:02:10 PM Colin frowns. "Investigating? Is there something about him that got you worried?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 04:05:09 PM "Well, he is cheating on my mom with his secretary. Daily." He doesn't look up from where he is tying his straw wrappper into careful knots. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 12, 2007, 04:06:23 PM Quote from: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 04:05:09 PM "Well, he is cheating on my mom with his secretary. Daily." He doesn't look up from where he is tying his straw wrappper into careful knots. "Daily?" Sylvia winces. "Have you been following him every day?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: Doc on September 12, 2007, 04:11:05 PM Colin gasps. He's been raised by two widows that kind of venerated their late husbands, so the idea of a parent cheating on the other is like a distant tragedy to him, something devastating and difficult to imagine like a tsunami, not everyday stuff. "I'm really sorry." he only says. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 04:23:49 PM Donnie looks up, and his three friends can see his eyes are dull, as if he were fatigued. "For the last two weeks. Always during lunch. Then he goes to her house after he leaves work early. I don't know what began first. Mom's drink,ing or Dad's cheating." He shrugs. "I was so close to having Salamander burn down her condo, but it would likely have damaged the neighbors." The multi-knotted straw wrapper rips as he's tying the sixth knot. "So I got to thinking. How did he make so much money is such a short time? We went from living in a reasonable condo to living it up in a nice neighborhood. Dad spends lots on his toys, mom has free rein to fill her empty life with buying new furniture, and I get a weekly stipend that some kids working 20 hours a week would envy. How and why? On Thursdays, he goes to some nondescript office out near the airport and stays several hours. I connived Sarah into getting me in, and the place is wierdly clean. High end servers, financial data for a bunch of companies, empty desk. No garbage. No notes. Programs on the computer constantly wipe away and history of browsing, recent documents, recent programs, etc. COnstantly redefining itself as Tabula Rasa. Very odd." He pauses as the waitress refills their drinks and drops off a load of breadsticks. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 12, 2007, 04:27:18 PM Quote from: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 04:23:49 PM "So I got to thinking. How did he make so much money is such a short time? We went from living in a reasonable condo to living it up in a nice neighborhood. Dad spends lots on his toys, mom has free rein to fill her empty life with buying new furniture, and I get a weekly stipend that some kids working 20 hours a week would envy. How and why? On Thursdays, he goes to some nondescript office out near the airport and stays several hours. I connived Sarah into getting me in, and the place is wierdly clean. High end servers, financial data for a bunch of companies, empty desk. No garbage. No notes. Programs on the computer constantly wipe away and history of browsing, recent documents, recent programs, etc. COnstantly redefining itself as Tabula Rasa. Very odd." "You think he's doing something criminal? I mean, like really criminal? 'Cause cheating," Sylvia says, "I think you can only shoot someone for that in Texas." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: Doc on September 12, 2007, 04:33:26 PM Colin looks thoughtful. "Maybe, just maybe, If Sarah brings me there, I could pick up something. It might put some of your concerns at ease. Don't you feel like asking him though?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 04:38:35 PM Donnie's eyes sharpen, piercing blue into Colin's. "No. He doesn't deserve my honesty. I am not sure if he is doing anything illegal. I just wonder, and his Thursday visits make me suspicious." He looks over at Sarah. "Would you mind taking him over there for me? After pizza, of course." and like magic, a steaming pizza pie is delivered to their table. Thoughts are lost until strings of mozzerella and copious toppings are consumed. The four teenagers act like kids again for awhile, laughing, joking, and flicking toppings at each other. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 12, 2007, 04:41:17 PM Quote from: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 04:38:35 PM Donnie's eyes sharpen, piercing blue into Colin's. "No. He doesn't deserve my honesty. I am not sure if he is doing anything illegal. I just wonder, and his Thursday visits make me suspicious." He looks over at Sarah. "Would you mind taking him over there for me? After pizza, of course." and like magic, a steaming pizza pie is delivered to their table. Thoughts are lost until strings of mozzerella and copious toppings are consumed. The four teenagers act like kids again for awhile, laughing, joking, and flicking toppings at each other. Sylvia seems pensive toward the end of the feeding frenzy, and she has more than lactose intolerance on her mind. "Um, hypothetically speaking, if someone could read your father's mind, do you think it'd be justified? Do you think he's into something seriously bad?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 04:43:40 PM Donnie pauses from flicking a black olive at Colin. His eyes grow a bit wider. "You mean you can read others besides me?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 12, 2007, 04:47:10 PM Quote from: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 04:43:40 PM Donnie pauses from flicking a black olive at Colin. His eyes grow a bit wider. "You mean you can read others besides me?" Sylvia fights the urge to lie outright. "We're talking hypothetically. I mean, 'cause if someone could read your mind, it'd be kinda creepy, wouldn't it? Say, if I knew a telepath who was willing to help us, do you think it's serious enough that that would be okay? Hypothetically?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 04:50:05 PM Donnie's eyes narrow. He smells blood in the water. "What are you talking about Syl? If it is you, I absolutely do NOT want you to. Ever. okay? Please?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 12, 2007, 04:52:46 PM Quote from: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 04:50:05 PM Donnie's eyes narrow. He smells blood in the water. "What are you talking about Syl? If it is you, I absolutely do NOT want you to. Ever. okay? Please?" Sylvia's relieved, at first. Then her brow rumples. "What? Wait. Why? Why does it matter if it's me or not?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 05:02:56 PM "Because I have seen him at his lowest, screwing his secretary on his desk at work. It's demeaning to me enough. I don't ever want you to see what his feelings are, if he has thought.. things about me or especially you. Can you understand?" He seems desperate, more close to tears than even when revealing his dad's secret. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 12, 2007, 05:11:00 PM Quote from: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 05:02:56 PM "Because I have seen him at his lowest, screwing his secretary on his desk at work. It's demeaning to me enough. I don't ever want you to see what his feelings are, if he has thought.. things about me or especially you. Can you understand?" He seems desperate, more close to tears than even when revealing his dad's secret. Sylvia gives him a worried look. Donnie gets worked up about a lot of things, and she's learning to back off when he's got that taut, brittle look in his eyes. "Okay. No hypothetical telepaths." Still, stifling her curiosity is like trying not to scratch an itch. She tries another tack, turning to Sarah and Colin. "Can I go with you guys when Colin does his psychometry thing?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 05:13:36 PM Donnie looks relieved. "We can all go. It's nearly dark anyway." His eyes grow mischeivious again. He smiles at Sylvia and asks "So Colin, Sarah. Ever ride dragons before?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: Doc on September 12, 2007, 05:18:17 PM Quote from: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 05:02:56 PM "Because I have seen him at his lowest, screwing his secretary on his desk at work. It's demeaning to me enough. I don't ever want you to see what his feelings are, if he has thought.. things about me or especially you. Can you understand?" He seems desperate, more close to tears than even when revealing his dad's secret. Colin struggles to find something, anything, to say, but he doesn't find it, so he just puts his hand on Donnie's shoulder. Quote from: BaboonBill on September 12, 2007, 05:13:36 PM Donnie looks relieved. "We can all go. It's nearly dark anyway." His eyes grow mischievous again. He smiles at Sylvia and asks "So Colin, Sarah. Ever ride dragons before?" "God and Great Spirit. You're serious?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 12, 2007, 06:38:36 PM Sarah finally puts her pizza down. "Sure we aren't straining your dragon's resources? Maybe you should have offered the flight before we tacked on twenty pounds of pizza." She smiles and picks a forgotten strand of crusty cheese from the pan. She gives Sylvia a thoughtful look, "Hey Syl... this hypothetical mind reader. I'd like to talk with him or her sometime if that's possible. Just give me a buzz sometime." She rubs her stomach sadly and takes one more sip of soda. "Oh, I think I've hit my dairy limit for the week. That was a lot of cheese." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 12, 2007, 06:57:45 PM Quote from: opensesame on September 12, 2007, 06:38:36 PM She gives Sylvia a thoughtful look, "Hey Syl... this hypothetical mind reader. I'd like to talk with him or her sometime if that's possible. Just give me a buzz sometime." "Can I ask what it's about? One of these hypothetical mind readers might help more than another." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 12, 2007, 09:28:59 PM Sarah waves off Sylvia's question. "Yeah sure, I can call you later. I'm wondering if Colin will be able to pick anything up in that clean room of an office though. Don't you need some vague trace of... something? That room was devoid of life. I'm glad I was able to help Donnie out a little bit anyway." She leans back in her chair with a sigh, "Just give me a couple of minutes to walk all this cheese off before hoping on a dragon. I don't want to ruin the leather." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 14, 2007, 04:59:40 PM Donnie winks at Colin's dumbfounded expression. "You are talking about a dragon that can snatch full grown wherry-beasts on the wing and carry them off." He pauses for a moment. "Wherry-beasts? I meant cows. Though they haven't eaten any that I know of. Yeah, anyway, the four of us would be an easy ride for Althea." Wherry beasts? Those where the long-horned cattle like creatures from his story The Thief and the Four Coins. Odd how that popped out, though azure drakes did make an appearance doing just that: snatching the farmer-turned thief's wherries away. After sufficient time, the foursome head out the pizza parlor and to a nearby park, where Donnie summoned Althea and Pip, tossing the little dragonette pieces of purloined breadsticks from his pocket. He gives instructions for safety, shows everyone where to sit and then steps down. "Althea, Sylvia, they are all yours. I'll see you there." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: Doc on September 14, 2007, 05:59:04 PM Colin hangs on to Althea for his dear life, and it takes him a few minutes before it occurs to him this is something he might as well enjoy. Cautiously, he straighten up and lets the wind play with his long hair. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 14, 2007, 06:14:16 PM Quote from: BaboonBill on September 14, 2007, 04:59:40 PM After sufficient time, the foursome head out the pizza parlor and to a nearby park, where Donnie summoned Althea and Pip, tossing the little dragonette pieces of purloined breadsticks from his pocket. He gives instructions for safety, shows everyone where to sit and then steps down. "Althea, Sylvia, they are all yours. I'll see you there." "Wait a second," Sylvia says in the middle of hugging Althea's knee. "How are you getting there?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 14, 2007, 06:34:56 PM Now that she can control her falls Sarah is much more relaxed about heights. "Woohoo Althea! Good dragon!" She thumps the big creature on the side in a friendly fashion. "Brr! No wonder Donnie wears that coat!" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 14, 2007, 11:46:41 PM "Uther needs a chance to be here. It's only fair that he gets to run as well. Althea and Pip get the most action, and I figure Uther needs some time here as well. We'll run." The large wingless dragon steps out from the shadows, his molten green eyes glimmering. "Worry not, Milady Sylvia. Sir Donald and I will be surreptitious in our approach, and speedy in execution. Though I fear Althea will outpace us in effort to show off her flying prowess." Althea sniffs, eyes opened to slits, but Sylvia can see the barely concealed glee she is hiding. "I too will be seppetur-uhess in our approach." Donnie scratches under her chin and sternly tells her "No loops or showing off. Sarah and Colin haven't ridden you before. Be careful with them." She whuffs in his hair and nuzzles Sylvia. "I will treat them like baby hatchlings. But I won't bring them meat or lick their scales. Because they don't have any." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: Doc on September 15, 2007, 05:24:26 AM "Thank you, Althea. I feel better now." Colin says with a smile. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 15, 2007, 07:06:37 AM "Okay," sighs a slightly disappointed Sarah. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 17, 2007, 10:28:43 AM An exhilerating ride later, the thre teens stand on the roof over the 7-Eleven. About ten minutes later, they hear a low rumble, then realize it is the sound of something heavy galloping down the road. They see Uther, neck out, running full tilt down the avenue with Donnie riding low on his back. The great dragon does a tremendous leap upwards, and Donnie launches himself off the dragon's back towards the roof. Jump & landing (1d20+0, 1d20+1=[20, 0], [3, 1]) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=1270720) The leap is perfect, but his landing needs work. He somersaults as he lands, but hits with only one shoulder and ending up flat on his back and laughing, though it must have hurt hitting the roof that way. He stares at the stars, waiting for his breath. "That's gonna leave a bruise. Guess I am not geared towards the cheerleading squad, huh?" They hear an annoyed rumble from the alley, and Donnie's laughter stills. "No Uther, I didn't break my neck, and it was not a stupid stunt. We need to practice stuff like that." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: Doc on September 17, 2007, 10:42:00 AM Colin helps him up to his feet. "You're crazy. And Jack wouldn't be proud of the way you fall." he says, grinning. "Come on, show me this office." After Sarah bring there down, Colin starts taking a look around, and is impressed, by how aseptic the place was. Uhmm. It looks like picking up anything here won't be easy. Well, let's give it a try. He closes his eyes, concentrates, and sits down on the chair in front of the computer, hoping to gather the memories in it like he did on Rory's bed. Then he runs his fingers over the keyboard, on the sides of the monitor, and on the inner ridge of the waste basket. It's weird that there isn't anything else interesting in the room. He tries looking again. Notice check (1d20+12=28) (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=1270737) Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 17, 2007, 11:05:28 AM Sarah pats Donnie on the shoulder. "I thought you did great. Gymnasts practice on nice soft floors with springs underneath. Even Hong Kong action heroes dive into piles of cardboard. The real stuff is always a little more tricky." She stage whispers in addition, "Plus I think Uther was totally off his mark. Next take you would have totally nailed it." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 17, 2007, 12:08:24 PM Sylvia, meanwhile, looks for business cards and account names, sighing with regret over the fact that Donnie doesn't want her to read his dad. If she were Pandora, with that nifty do-not-open-before-Xmas box, the world would have lost hope by now. "Why does he come here only on Thursdays? That's what I don't get. Your dad basically, like, manages servers and stuff, right? He's a network guy?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 17, 2007, 12:17:01 PM Donnie leans back on the closed door as Colin and Sylvia prowl the office. "Yes. He maintains the servers and makes sure banking transactions update. Overseas transactions too. He has mentioned servers in Singapore or something. Thursdays are the only day he sets aside the evening to be with his family. Usually we have Chinese for dinner. I called mom today and said I would be out with my friends the whole evening. At least I didn't have to lie to her." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 17, 2007, 12:19:37 PM Quote from: BaboonBill on September 17, 2007, 12:17:01 PM Donnie leans back on the closed door as Colin and Sylvia prowl the office. "Yes. He maintains the servers and makes sure banking transactions update. Overseas transactions too. He has mentioned servers in Singapore or something." "So that's not the kind of thing you do once a week, right?" Rhetorical question. Sylvia looks at Colin, hoping for some magic. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: Doc on September 17, 2007, 12:26:17 PM Colin has barely time to sit on the chair, before an invisible force send him flying against the wall, and he curls into a ball on the floor, blood running from his nose. It takes him a few moments to catch his breath. "Something happened here. Something not good." He explains them that he saw two persons beating on a guy, threatening him if he didn't do what they wanted. Then they spoke of another one, with a wife and a kid (probably Donnie's dad) that would maybe listen to them better. "There is trouble written all over this room. Whatever your dad got into, it must be something big. And dirty. Maybe someone is blackmailing him. Maybe they're forcing him to do something, threatening you and your mom. Maybe you should really talk to him, now." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 17, 2007, 12:32:02 PM DOnnie jumps and runs to Colin's side, helping him up. "Jesus! Are you okay?" Colin explains things and Donnie's forehead furrows. "Blackmailing my dad?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: Doc on September 17, 2007, 12:38:24 PM "Those man, those that were beating on the guy who left the impression here, were angry because he didn't do what they wanted. They told him they didn't really need him, that they could get rid of him any time they wanted. and that he should remember that maybe the other guy, the one with a wife and a kid, would comply better, making him useless. If your dad is the one that comes to this office now, maybe they got a hold of him too." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 17, 2007, 12:48:48 PM "Did you get names or faces?" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 17, 2007, 01:08:01 PM Quote from: BaboonBill on September 17, 2007, 12:48:48 PM "Did you get names or faces?" "I can help," Sylvia offers, with just a moment's hesitation. These are the friends she trusts most these days. "My mind to your mind," she tells Colin. "You can show us all what you saw." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: Doc on September 17, 2007, 02:17:55 PM "Ok. We can do it. Just try to make it a little less intense, or..." he wipes the blood from his nose . "You'll see it as I saw it, from a first person perspective." He takes Sylvia's hand and lets his memory go. You are on the ground, getting the shit kicked out of you. You keep hearing a voice say over and over "This is what happens when you don't do as you're told." Finally the beating stops and someone's face is close to your eyes. "We can replace you. You're like a napkin. When you're too worn out to be of use, we get another one." This voice is different from the one that was speaking earlier. "What about the other guy. He's got a wife and a kid. He might listen better." The voice of the person who was doing the kicking speaks again, more calm this time. "This guy is really starting to piss me off." "My associate has a point. You would do well to keep that in mind." Then the vision ends. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 17, 2007, 02:57:13 PM Quote from: Doc on September 17, 2007, 02:17:55 PM Then the vision ends. Sylvia looks worried. "Maybe we should show this to your d--that guy, Colin. He can see if these guys have a criminal record." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: Doc on September 17, 2007, 03:55:36 PM "Well, then I'd have to explain the little 'entering-without-breaking' we just did here. And I'm not doing anything like that until Donnie says it's okay. It could put his dad in trouble." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 17, 2007, 03:58:25 PM Quote from: Doc on September 17, 2007, 03:55:36 PM "Well, then I'd have to explain the little 'entering-without-breaking' we just did here. And I'm not doing anything like that until Donnie says it's okay. It could put his dad in trouble." Sylvia gives Donnie a look like "C'mon already!" Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: BaboonBill on September 17, 2007, 04:08:32 PM Donnie's face is for once unreadable. Finally, he looks up at his friends. "Perhaps we should take care of this ourselves." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: cassbackward on September 17, 2007, 05:09:12 PM Quote from: BaboonBill on September 17, 2007, 04:08:32 PM Finally, he looks up at his friends. "Perhaps we should take care of this ourselves." "What do you mean?" Sylvia asks, misgivings plain on her face. Donnie's getting worked up again, and with good reason, but she sometimes doubts his ability to strategize. Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: opensesame on September 17, 2007, 05:36:45 PM OOC: I didn't get to post all day darn it! (Sarah owes Colin a poor baby moment next time.) IC: "I'm with Donnie on this one. It's his family and his call. We can look into it and see if we can solve things on our own. Then the police can come in if we need them. If Donnie's dad is up to something bad... Donnie and his mom could lose everything they have." She looks to Donnie for an idea about that. "Donnie? Do you or your mom know anything about the family finances? I mean... you've said your dad has been bringing in a lot of money lately but do you have account information and so on? If the police find out he's been up to something all that money could disappear in a heartbeat." Title: Re: Chapter 38-11, If only I didn't know now what I didn't know then. Post by: secretoracle on September 24, 2007, 09:13:49 AM OOC: Bill mentioned it might be time to close this in a PM. Then there were a few more posts. Should this be archived? Powered by SMF 1.1.4 | SMF © 2006-2007, Simple Machines LLC