"Excellent Miss Foster, if you can arrange that that will free up the rest of us quite well."

"Here's what I would suggest," Ben said, turning to Rakozi, "Count Rakozi, you have a personal car, yes? I recommend you head the party to pick up the metal components. Golde's Jewellers in the North End should be able to give us most of the metals on the list in the forms we need, and I'm happy to provide the money for that expedition."

Ben then turned towards Daphne. "Daphne, it might be better you to go with the Count - There's a lot of very valuable goods you'll be picking up, the more defense we can throw at that group, the better. And in that case, Ms Catori," said Ben, looking at Catori, "you had best go with the Count, I think."

Ben moved to address everyone again. "I'll take my car to Chinatown - I can't think of anywhere else where we'll find powdered horn, and we should be able to find nightshade there too, maybe even the white animal - Chinatown is a downright bizarre little place." At this point, Ben looked towards Arch. "Arch, I'd like you to come with me, I recall that you know Chinatown quite well - at least you gave that impression last time we were there."

"The last two objects are the Holy Water and the Ash Candle - I can probably find a chandler in Chinatown, it's just the ash I'm worried about, since I don't have any on hand, although there may be somewhere in Chinatown that deals in that as well. Count Rakozi, Perhaps you can acquire the holy water? There's a few cathedrals you can try, it shouldn't be too difficult to acquire..."

Forty minutes later the group had split apart. Marion retreated into the library to complete the research for the summoning ritual as well as working out the requirements for the spell of forced opening. As she entered the library a spectral form coalesced in front of her though it did not speak Marion was aware of its questions to her, How may I assist you master?

*****

The others boarded the ferry to the mainland and were soon in their way. Mia, Ben, and Archibald piled into Ben’s Packard once more, stopping fist the Police headquarters where Mia disembarked. As Ben and Arch drove off to Chinatown Mia entered the police station as she had so many time before. This time though she had bribe money in pocket and a falsified story on her lips. The sergeant looked up and saw Mia, he smiled as he always did. “Ms. Foster, I wasn’t aware that anything newsworthy was happening today, what can I do for you?”

*****

Arch and Ben meanwhile parked the car in Chinatown, it would be easier to read the signs and ask the people on the street from the sidewalk as opposed to the car. Arch took the lead, knowing of a seller who might have what they were looking for. Minutes later they stood inside the dark and odorous shop of one Chin Li Fook. Mr. Fook greeted them in heavily accented English, “Goo’afta noon, how I hep you?”

*****

Similarly Janos, Catori and young Daphne found themselves in the shop of one Mr. Armande Golde. Daphne’s eyes danced over the sparkly treasures in glass cases before he though she was distracted by her worry that Spot was not enjoying his time in Janos’ car. In truth neither Spot nor Stephan were enjoying their sit in the car. Despite the incongruity between Janos, Catori, and Daphne Mr. Golde quickly offered a smile to Janos. “Good afternoon sir, what can I interest you in today? Perhaps some fine jewelry for the ladies?”

Daphne's eyes were wide as she looked at the jewelry; still, she was aware enough to giggle at Mr. Golde. "No lady here," she said, kneeling before the case of black onyx pieces. "Ooo!" she cooed, pressing her hands and nose to glass. "Daemon eyes!" She looked at the shopkeeper. "How you keep fresh and not glass over?"

Catori had a smirk in her face and gave the Count a look that said he should talk to Mr. Golde while she walked over to Daphne.
"They only look like Deamon eyes, Daphne. I don't think the shop owner can afford anything that valuable.", Catori got closer to Daphne and whispered. "Besides that, I doubt they're real. Those can't be real Deamon eyes. People around her can't get them. It's like with Spot. You won't find someone like Spot here."

Catori walked around the case and looked at the jewelry without any real interest. She only tried to keep the Shopowner from asking the wrong questions.

"Well, nothing newsworthy IS happening today and I'd like to keep it that way. A few friends of mine need to take care of something at the docks where that man got killed last night October. Relax, we're not muffing up your crime scene and we're not up to shenanigans, we'd just like you to keep it sealed off a little while longer and let us in. We'll remember it when we contribute to the policeman's pension fund..."

The sergeant looks at Mia, studying her face for a moment before scanning the room and checking behind him. "Rather than remember it later why don't you donate right now. I'd gladly accept on the fund's behalf and make certain that it got to them." He speaks quietly leaning toward Mia to make sure that she alone can hear. Then he straightens and says in a normal voice, "That crime scene is no longer closed to the public. What exactly do you and your friends needs to do down there anyways? Does this have anything to do with that murder?"

"Perhaps," Janos muses then he shakes his head and looks at Golde like a man befuddled - for a moment. His eyes clear though and he meets the man's gaze evenly.

"Perhaps, but first I need a few items for my own ... research. I require two rods of pure Iron, and two of pure Silver. I also require a container of silver powder, or shavings - one pound. I also require a natural magnet."

He looks over at the gemstones Daphne is examining, Janos taps his chin.
"And an Onyx stone, or at least ten carats, for the young lady to carry."

"You come well recommended, Herr Golde. I hope my somewhat bizarre order will not be of too much an inconvienence."

"Oh, and I need it all by end of business today - say nine p.m. at the latest."

Mr. Golde's eyebrows creep up his forehead at each of Janos' odd requests until finally he merely offers a Cheshire smile and nods. "Most of that will be easy enough to get for you. Though the iron and magnet are not items I deal in." He retrieves a pad and pencil and scribbles a name and address on it. Handing it to Janos he says, "This man ought to be able to help though. As for the rest. If you will wait a moment, I will see that I have everything and you can pay and be on your way directly."

Mr. Golde heads to the back leaving the three of them to look at the various items he has out. He returns shortly with a small wooden box and a pair of half inch thick silver rods. He opens the box, inside is fine granulated silver. "Will this be to your satisfactions sir?"

"Excellent," beams Janos. This was going well despite his initial trepidations. It was nice to work with someone so competant and well-equipped. "Now for that stone."

He pockets the name and the list. He reaches into the breast pocket of his jacket and pulls out an wallet stuffed with bills.

The jeweler eyes Janos' wallet discreetly. "Certainly sir. Did you have a specific gen in mind or perhaps the young lady would prefer to pick one out." He walks to the case and opens in from the back removing the tray with the largest Onyx on it and laying on the counter. "These range from fifteen carats here ... to forty-eight carats here ..." He continues indicating the jewels.

Daphne became very serious. She examined each gem closely without touching them, lowering herself until her eyes were on a level with the gems. She stared for several minutes, then touched three of the stones. Next she bent over them, sniffing softly. Finally, she pointed to one, about twenty-two carats. "That one," she said firmly. "That the right one."

"The lady has it," he tells Golde. "That one will fit my needs admirably. If you would be so good as to total up the damage please."

To Catori,
"I hope the others are making as much progress."

"I'm sure they will.", said Catori without looking at the count. "I have a good feeling about that. Are we done here?"

Over in Chinatown….

Arch makes his way to the counter “Hey there Mr. Fook, I have some items I need to acquire and your shop here is at the top of a very short list on having those items I need.”

Fook is quick to respond, “Ahh yessa sir I hava, plenty stuff yousa need. Holding up some items, "Here ah Tiger penis, good for boom boom with ladies.” Holding up a hand, Arch says, “Don’t need any of that, how about some powdered buffalo horn, and some nightshade? I think I see some over there on the back shelf?”

Mr. Fook nods and gathers up a handful of the nightshade. "Wewy poison, be of great care. What kind horn?" Arch indicates the buffalo horn and Mr. Fook takes it down and pulls out a saw and a grinder. "Good, good. You make woman wewy happy! How much you need?" He sets to work and saws off a chunk of the horn weighing it in an old fashioned balance. As he grinds the horn into powder he asks, "What else? You need anyting else?"

"With the stone in hand and the bill paid up, I'd say we are done," he responds with a grin. Janos pulls the address from his pocket. He looks at it before handing it to Catori. Quietly, he adds,
"Thats were we need to go for the magnet and the two iron rods. Personally, I think we are going so fast we can also get the blessed water from a nearby church."

Daphne looked suddenly nervous. She waited until they were outside before she said, "At church, will stay in car with Spot. He be upset near holy place. Other side, you know." She chewed on a lip and tugged at the seam on her pants.

Ben took the moment to pipe up. "<Actually, honourable sir,>" he said in perfect Mandarin, "<We have another request. We are looking for a candle, but a very special candle. One made with the ash of ancestors. Perhaps you have one? Or perhaps you know of someone else who can help us find one? It's very important that we find one...>"

Mr. Fook gave Ben an odd look and then laughed, "You speak Mandwin well but you speak Sichuan?" He quickly rattles off something in Sichuan Chinese, "Yes, I may indeed have what you are looking for. Very expensive and very dangerous. These candles are not common use. You intend white magick? Necromancy? I'll sell them to you but do not remember where you found them." Returning to English he says, "Wait he-ah."

Mr. Fook goes into the back of his shop leaving Arch and Ben alone within the myriad of bizarre holistic and herbal ingredients. After a while out of the back Mr. Fook yells, "How many need?" He then returns with a small parcel wrapped in white cloth. He gently sets it down on the counter and peers about his shop before opening one end to show the grayish black waxy rods contained within. "Horn cost ten dolla, nigh'shade tree fity, and dis," he pats the bundle, "Dis cost you sewendy fife. You need anyting else?" Mr. Fook's eyes and voice are grave, the candles betray their intent even if they do not explicitly state their purpose.

"<That will be all, Mr. Fook, and thank you for the effort>" Ben replied in excellent Sichuan, peeling off and then handing over three crisp $50 notes. Always leave them surprised was not Ben's motto, of course, but he couldn't resist an opportunity to show off. "<You may keep the change, if we both agree to a lapse in memory. I thank you for your services, although that is by far the most I've ever paid for nightshade, I'll have you know. Were my requests not so serious I would never pay so much!>"

It's not like Ben didn't have the money, and it wasn't that he wasn't willing to pay that much, but that was quite an exorbitant price for Nightshade, even in Boston, and he felt it was important to let Mr. Fook know that he knew it too. With such important business resolved, Ben made to walk out of Mr. Fook's store, motioning for Arch to follow.

Mr. Fook laughs, "It be cheepa if you no buy candles! Want to poison mistess? Cost you one dolla twenty five cent. But I know what you doing ... you pay moah for dat!" Hr takes Ben's money and sticks it into his pocket as they leave the store. He watches them go, his eyes wary as they walk out, worry lines his face despite the grin as he rubs the money in his pocket between his fingers.

"Oh, I just want to make sure all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. You know me, sarge. Can't let a story go."

She produces a wad of bills, quietly (using Legerdemain.) "Pays well though."

The sergeant palms the wad but takes a discreet look at it quickly counting bills off. Thirty-five dollars in smaller bills. He tucks the money into his pocket and smiles. "Why thank you for the information Ms. Foster, we'll have some officer's shut down the wharf immediately and put a call in to the city's safety inspector. It would be a tragedy were these claims of structural damage not investigated and an accident happened." He calls back to a couple of the men behind him and tells them to head down and close the wharf down until the safety inspector can give it the thumbs up.

Turning back to Mia he says, "That'll keep it quite for the rest of the day, I expect the inspector will get out there come morning though so you'd best be quick and discreet. Now answer my question, does this have anything to do with that Russian who got sliced up?" Mia can tell that although willing to pull some strings for the right price this man is still on the right side of the law and very much interested in finding the murderer.

Meanwhile Janos, Daphne, and Catori several pounds of silver and a large gem richer loaded into the car. Despite the cold winter weather the driver had kept the windows open and the car was chill but it did not smell of sulfur and smoldering upholstery. Janos could see scorch marks from the hellhound's paws on the back seat but there was little to do about it. Stephen navigated through the slushy streets and soon pulled to a stop in front of a small shop. The sign simply stated "Iron Monger". Within was evidence that the proprietor was anything but an Iron Monger. Wrought iron lamps, and gates and more decorated the store and from the back the dinging sound quickly stopped and a burly man came out from the workshop area. "Afternoon, what can I do for you?"

Ben and Arch continue walking through Chinatown. "Right," Ben said, to himself as much as anyone else, "We have the candles, the nightshade, the horn, the last thing we're collecting on the list is the white animal. Now, a place to find it..."

Ben looked around, trying to get his bearings, when he suddenly noticed a flock of doves sitting on an unused bench in the area, with one perfectly white dove right in the middle of the flock. Well, it did say no smaller than a dove, Ben thought, A dove's no smaller than a dove...

Ben nudged Arch, and whispered to him conspiratorily. "Arch, look over there, the flock of doves. Notice the white one right in the middle?" Arch scanned the flock and then nodded back. "Think you could just hit it to knock it out?"

Arch takes a moment to think before he makes an answer. "Worst case I kill the thing or it flies off and we go looking else where." Arch puts on his biggest grin, "I just love me a challenge and this a real dousy you've cooked up Ben."

Looking around using his superb eyesight, Arch spots a building that may provide him the right angle to ricochet the bolt. Taking aim, Arch winks and says "Here goes nothing!"


(Spending a point of inspration for Dramatic editing, and one point to help with the trick shot.)

Picking up a small pebble Arch sights the bird and concentrates allowing his superhuman senses and steady nerves to take over he flicks the rock toward the dove. With the speed and accuracy of sling shot the pebble strikes the bird soundly and it topples to the ground as the other pigeons fly away in a flurry of feathers. The pair walk over and find that the stunned bird is already trying awkwardly to regain its feet. Arch reaches out and grasps the creature, pinning it's wings to its body.

"Yes, Herr Craftsman. I need three items. Two rods of your purest iron, twelve inches long each. The third item is a natural magnet. Can you be of assistance?"

Janos eyes the Iron Master evenly, being neither meek, or challenging (he hopes). So far they were making excellent time and he didn't want to ruin it.

It also occured to Janos to find the name of a good leather upholsterer. If he kept lugging Spot around, he was going to need one.

"Right," Ben said, "Now we've got the animal, we're going to need a cage. Hang on a moment and I'll see if I can find a dealer around here, since holding it all day will get... cumbersome..."

Ben started to look around the busy marketplace, looking for a cage seller.

As soon as they entered the new shop Catori stayed close to Daphne, just in case the young woman would do something unexpected. She was glad that the Count took care of the deals and started to ask herself if it was such a good idea to come along in the first place.

Yet she remembered her father's request and she was a faithful daughter and wouldn't fail him. Sighing a little she watched the Count and the shopowner exchanging pleasentries. She wasn't sure if she would ever fit into this world. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes as she waited.

With little effort Ben and Arch find a store that will sell them an empty cage. In the process they find three that would have sold them a cage and a dove together, and for less money, but sometimes its the principle of the whole thing. With that taken care of they have all the items on their list and with plenty of time to spare.

*****

Meanwhile the blacksmith, for that is really what he is, looks at Janos and nods. "I can do that, half inch OK for the bar stock? It'll cost you four dollars for everything." He pulls out a long iron rod half an inch think and begins to make a couple of measurements before he starts sawing away at it with a hacksaw. In a few minutes he places the two rods on the counter. Next to these he places a small disc of what appears to be loadstone and sure enough it slowly pulls itself toward the iron bars, connecting with a dull click. "Anything else I can do for you today?"

Marion takes a deep breath and smiles at the house spirit.

"I hope so. I have a lot of work to do and not much time. Would you get a few books for me and stack them on the desk? The Third Crucible, Circles of Binding...um...the Montressoy one, the green one with the Eye of Horus on the cover, you've seen it..."

She closes the door behind her.

The next hours are full of vellum and parchment; of tattered scrolls of silk and doddering translations of translations of words never spoken by human tongues. Faded handwriting in loops and curls, eldritch symbols and sanity-blasting runes (viewed with proper wards intact, of course). Marion lights a Vizier's Lamp, which burns with soft green flame...the only way the letters of Hah'alal Mibikki's words can be seen with the eye. She writes in a neat, elegant hand on a regular yellow notepad, summarizing the results of her study into a much more concise and accessible series of steps.

Finally she gathers a few objects from around the house...a crystal orb, a black velvet shroud, the nice silver athame and a mortar and pestle...and takes her notes out to the ferry dock to go meet the others.

"This will do just fine," Janos replies. He pays the man $5 dollars, collects the items, and tells him to keep the change, saying, "We may be back for further business."

Gathering up the ladies, the trio head out side.
"The Church is the last place then."
It is clear that Janos doesn't relish the trip either.

Still, when Stephan drives them to the closest parish, Janos jumps out of the car and heads in alone. When he sees the Priest he quietly pulls him aside and makes his request.

"Father, I am Count Janos Rakozi of Hungary. An aquantaince has passed and I need twelve drams of Blessed Water to aid him on his passage to Judgement. Normally I would go through the proper channels with my request, but see - this man was of the Orthodox persuasion, not a good Catholic. If you could see a way to help me fullfill this task, I would gladly make a proper donation to the poor and needy of the parish."

He waits on the man to consider his proposal.

The priest listens to Janos' story with sympathy in his eyes. "Of course, no trouble at all my son. Wait here." In short order he returns with a glass vial stopped with cork and gives it to Janos, accepting the return donation in kind.

Daphne didn't attempt to follow Janos. She remained in the backseat of the car, her eyes wide as she looked at the monolith of the church before them. Spot gave a soft whine - which sounded like a baby being squeezed viciously - and leaned against her. Daphne slipped her arms around him and buried her face in his sulfuric fur. She felt safer not looking at it, pretending it wasn't there.

A few hours later ...

Marion collected the ingredients together setting the silver filings, nightshade, holy water, candles, and the dove aside. The rest would be reserved for later if they needed to force open the box via magical means. Wasting little time Marion employed Arch and Catori to help her. A pentacle was drawn on the ground, inscribed within a circle, with the silver filings while the nightshade was ground to powder within the mortar that Marion had brought with her. To this the holy water was added and the two were mixed with the silver athame. The crystal orb is placed in the center of the pentacle and the five black candles were lit and placed at the points.

Meanwhile Marion had Ben correct her diction being that the ritual words were in a form of old Sumerian. Donning a black shroud Marion takes the dove in one hand and the athame in the other and stands at one point of the pentagram, asking Arch, Catori and two of the others to join her, each at their own point.

Marion begins the incantation to call forth the dead man’s soul. Each verse is punctuated by making a small cut on the dove with the poisoned athame. With each verse and cut the wind seems to grow colder and the sounds of the city behind them seem to become more muffled, whispers as though through a heavy veil. As the ritual reaches its apex Marion cuts the dove’s head off and pours its blood out into the crystal orb as she speaks the Russian’s name, “Nikolai Strakovski, we demand your presence at this, the site of your murder.”

As the blood falls onto the crystal the wind suddenly stops and an oppressive cold and stale air descends upon the group. A low moaning sound can be heard from inside the circle and as they watch the blood seeps into the crystal orb. Inside the crystal the blood turns dark and begins to roil and bubble as though it were boiling. Slowly the silence of the grave creeps over the area as the blood turns to black smoke within the orb. Frost forms over the wharf, creates, and lampposts, and all present shiver with the unnatural cold of death. With a great crack the orb sunders and the black smoke billows out into the circle but is constrained by it. Slowly it resolves into the skeletal shade of the man Nikolai Strakovski. It bangs its hands against the barrier formed by the circle to no effect for a moment before it recoils seeming to shrink upon itself.

For a moment nobody speaks, and then the shade, in a moaning whisper, says, “Who calls me, I have answered; bound as I am to answer and obey.”


[OOC: The ritual costs 1 Inspiration from each of the 5 participants and 1 willpower from Marion. I need to know who joined in the Circle. Please post to the scratch pad accordingly.]

Daphne walked the perimeter of the ritual, watching the events within closely. Despite her casual saunter, she moved in near-silence. The only sound she made was the occassional hiss of the pants over her moving legs. Her spear was held loosely in her right hand, ready to be employed as a weapon. Somewhere in the dark night over them, Spot patrolled the night from above. He was watching out for external interlopers.

The appearance of the spirit didn't phase her. It did bring back memories, and the young woman smiled wistfully, remembering the long years spent with her mother's shade. Most of the memories were pleasant, emotionally if not physically. It had been a tough way to grow up.

Daphne shook off those thoughts. She needed to focus on the here and now, not memories. She continued her silent vigileance, ever-watching, ever-prowling.

Catori knew she had to remain at her position else she would have provoked a disturbance of the ritual. Her instincts told her to turn away and flee. This kind of ritual was giving her the creeps and it was very much unlike the way she learned to commune with the deceased spirits of her ancestors. She looked suspiciously over at Marion with mixed feelings. There was something that connected them but even more that seperated them, Catori just wasn't sure which path would be the best choice to take in regards to their relationship. Maybe she had to face her directly and see how she would respond. Her brother at least tried to sympathize with her people and her culture.

As she kept thinking about it she realized that this was what bothered her the most. These people, Marion, Ben, Count Janos... they all seemed to take for granted that their culture was... was the standard. There seemed to be little respect for anything besides that. From the books she had read about the white mens history it always included war and the struggle for dominance. Catori understood the meaning of war and the meaning for struggle... but not for dominance. Her people fought for survival and to live in peaceful communion with the great Spirit and nature.

She felt her concentration slipping and shook off her wandering thoughts. Now was not the time for emotional turmoil, she needed to be strong in resolve and temperance. Staring at the ghostly apparition of Nikolai Strakovski she waited for Marion to ask the right questions.

Standing within the circle Ben smiled as the shade appeared. I have to hand it to her, Ben mused, she has a knack for this.

Ben was extremely tempted to begin conversing with the shade, this was not, however, the time for pleasantries. Instead Ben let Marion take the lead with the questioning. Although mentally he remarked how in death, it seemed understanding was always universal, and toyed with the question in his mind as to whether the price was worth the ability. The fleeting thought passed, and Ben worked on focusing his mind to the task at hand. Sorcery, Marion had explained, was as much will as procedure. Perform the procedure without the will and you rarely got the result expected...

It occurred to Janos that they had a problem.

Too many people wanted to observe this ritual and not enough wanted to participate. Janos for his part felt removed from this course of action. Sure, he was willing to help, but this Russian wasn't one of his, nor did the man hold any relevant information for the Count. The ritual held no meaning for him.

Of course, he believed that Marion might very well pull it off. She didn't have the demeanor of a dilletante. In a way, Marion reminded him of his older sister, Tianna, but only in a vague way. Marion lacked that hauty, driven character that his oldest sister possessed. Still, there was not enough of a connection for Janos to want to risk himself in Marion's endeavor. This was something being done for Ben, not herself. That tie was too tenuous.

Of course, this left them without enough people. Janos looked at Daphne. He didn't know the Foster woman well enough. To the young transplant from Hell,
"They are going to need some more people if this is going to work. One more person to be precise."