Shadows within Shadows, Lies within Lies [Need Players!!!]

[The Seasick Sailor]

JackthePunk

"I'm alone, but I'm looking forward to the next band, I heard they play the Kennedys... this is your new girl, heh? I'm Jack, how're ya? Hey, I'm getting a beer at the bar, want some?"
Jack goes to the bar, looking around, hoping any girls are noticing him...

Before you can order, the bartender slips you a beer and coaster. He leans over, saying that the "pretty ladeh down thu ba'" has ordered it for you. Then he cocks his head to the left, indicating to where she sits. As you turn your head, you spot the one of the hottest women you've ever laid eyes on. Her dark chocolate hair flows so carelessly around her shoulders, some of it pulled back behind her ears. This girl seems to have a punk rocker appearance about her, but something about it looks SO right on her--her tight blouse, her microminiskirt, her gleaming, leather boots--it all makes her even more desirable. If you're lucky, maybe you can get a taste of that tonight.

What do you do?  

[The Seasick Sailor]

[.Chiaroscuro.]

Jem squints as she peers over to the man. She had shut off all the lights, save hers, hours ago. How can he have the nerve to stay so late? Isn't it obvious that this is after hours? Why I didn't notice earlier is beyond me... she thought somewhat irritatedly. The single desk lamp he was using to read (other than hers) should have been a clear indicator that someone was still there. I suppose my own book was just too intriguing... Sighing, she reluctantly picked up a well-used bookmark and placed it in her novel, before placing it on the desk. She stood, first smoothing out her long, pale-green skirt, which barely brushes the tips of her favorite pointy, brown lace-up boots. She then adjusted the rectangular reading glasses on her nose before looking over to the man once more.

"Excuse me, sir," Jem addresses the man clearly, "Do you have clearance to be here so late after hours?"

The man suddenly looks up and offers a warm smile. "Uh, yes, ma'am, I do... actually..." He fumbles into his pocket, fishing out an ID that states his name and shows a picuture. "I'm sorry, but you must be Jem, correct? I didn't mean to bother you, but the... the dean--he's a good friend of mine--gave me permission to be here for my... stuidies. I'm sorry if I'm bothering you, but, uh--"

He motions at a chair.

"--would you like to sit down?"

Your eye catches the browned pages of the books as they stare back at you. You notice that they are unusally old-looking, very dusty, and have no titles or text, only heiroglyphs of some sort. Now that you think about it, you've never seen the books before. Glancing at the pages, you notice the crudely painted figures seem to be taking in part of some ancient ritual. But... what kind? And to which dieties? How, strange... Perhaps he brought them in himself?

Another object catches your eye. A rosary hangs from the man's wrist, which you notice as a sign of Catholicism. That's odd... a devout Catholic, reading Pagan tomes? Maybe he's not so devout after all...  

[The Seasick Sailor]

[.Chiaroscuro.]

Jem looked over the card before handing it back, accepting of the man's truth, for now. Her eyes flitted to the chair with slight apprehension. I really want to just go back to reading, actually... She opened her mouth to decline his offer, but conflicting thoughts inside her occupy her attentions for a few seconds more. That looks positively fascinating, though, she thought as she gazed over the book once more. I want to go back to my own book... but perhaps some curiosity satisfaction would be good for me. Something about this man seemed... preoccupied, at the least. She wouldn't take very much of his time, not if she could help it.

"Ah, not a bother at all..." she said, pulling back the chair and taking the seat for herself. "Where did find those books?" she ventured to ask. "I don't think I've seen anything like them before..." She knew the books did not belong here at the library, something of that age should be cared for in a museum or in a rare book collection.

"Actually, I happened to be browsing, and I came across these. They were in reference, but there wasn't any barcodes or anything on them, so... yeah... I just picked 'em up and brought 'em over here."

He flips through a few more pages and coughs when he accidently inhales dust.

"Uh, sorry, but I'm... I'm Gary..."

He nods at you politely.

"I'm sorry thate we've never met before," he comments, reaching out a welcoming hand. Its worn, skeletal like, and covered in caluses. "But it's nice to finally meet you, anyway."

He flashes another warm smile.  

[The Seasick Sailor]

[.Chiaroscuro.]

Jem looked over the books again. How did she miss these? Lovely old books like these are usually the first thing she goes for when looking for a new read. And to not have a bar-code, when she so meticulously labors over making sure every last reference book and novel had one? "I will have to label them as soon as possible, then." she muttered, gazing at them curiously.

She looked at the hand and took it politely, her grip clearly stating she was all business. "Jem Lindsbury, but you already knew that..." she said, smiling, though she was posing the statement as a miniature question. Her name-plate at the front only read 'J. Lindsbury', so she was quite curious as to how he knew her first name. Perhaps he was an old patron that she simply forgot about... or perhaps not. His calluses made it appear as though he didn't spend a whole lot recent time with his... studying... perhaps a job got in the way. It would explain why he would pick so late an hour to study up on ancient hieroglyphics.

"What exactly are you studying?" she asked. "If it's not too nosy to ask, that is..." she added after a slight rethinking of her words.

"Uh..." Gary looked down at the tomes, looking for an answer in his head, "uh, some ancient rituals, perhaps spells, even? I'm kind of an amateur theologist. I've never found anything like this before, and it sure it interesting. I don't quite understand it, but I'm really working on it. I mean, I can interpret them somewhat, but nothing too professional. The only thing I have to go on is modern Neo-Pagan material, and I'm not even sure that it's all credible, and... uh... I'm blabbing on, aren't I? Anyway, here--"

Gary pulls out one of the heavy tomes from the bottom the stacks and hands it to you.

"--take a look. I'm sure you'll find it quite interesting..."

As you open the book, another plume of dust violates your nostrils, and you sneeze.

"Bless you!" Gary exclaims.

Examining the first few pages, you see what looks like six-sided stars, spirals, trees, and many other symbols of nature. But what stands out most is the moon, each page showing it in a different phase from waxing to full to waning to new. Deer and elk glide across the pages, and when lightly brush your finger over the crumbling page, a shiver runs down your spine. How chilling! Certainly, the are some strange and rather fascinating books...  

[The Seasick Sailor]

Sensual Enigma Tourmaline

Sensual Enigma Tourmaline

JackthePunk

"I'm alone, but I'm looking forward to the next band, I heard they play the Kennedys... this is your new girl, heh? I'm Jack, how're ya? Hey, I'm getting a beer at the bar, want some?"
Jack goes to the bar, looking around, hoping any girls are noticing him...

Before you can order, the bartender slips you a beer and coaster. He leans over, saying that the "pretty ladeh down thu ba'" has ordered it for you. Then he cocks his head to the left, indicating to where she sits. As you turn your head, you spot the one of the hottest women you've ever laid eyes on. Her dark chocolate hair flows so carelessly around her shoulders, some of it pulled back behind her ears. This girl seems to have a punk rocker appearance about her, but something about it looks SO right on her--her tight blouse, her microminiskirt, her gleaming, leather boots--it all makes her even more desirable. If you're lucky, maybe you can get a taste of that tonight.

What do you do?

[[Well, since Jack didn't post today, I guess I'll have to do it for him.]]

As Jack arrives at the girl's stool, she immediately states, "Well, if it isn't the famed Jack. I've heard your band's work, and I'm sorry to hear about the break up. But, it's okay," she winks seductively, "I'm hear to make things better. What do you say to that... looking for a little fun?" She asks, placing a soft, pale hand on his.

Before Jack can reply, he feels a hand twirl him around until he's facing his brother.

"Hey, Jack, you find yourself a hottie or somethin'?"

Jack grins sheepishly, and turns to face the girl again, but she's not there. He didn't even feel her hand slip away, and it's almost like she disappeared, a whisper in the wind. What the hell? Where could she be?

Jack frantically searches for the girl, ignoring his brother's protests. Where is that little b***h? Was she just ******** with him? Dammit, and Jack was gonna get some... Oh, well, maybe next time...

Your brother appears by your side, and it seems that he's ditched the goth b***h already. "Good thing that chicks gone--you don't wanna mess around with her. She's bad news, dude!"

You look at him quizzically, and he explains, "That b***h is probably the sluttiest chick around. Trust me, I knew her once, and damn, was that a mistake! Anyway, come on, let me buy you a drink so you won't feel so down, all right, buddy?"

He leads you over to the bar, back to the stool you sat on previously. As you sit down, your eye wanders to the sweaty ring that the beer left on the coaster. In the middle, written in fine, loopy handwriting, a message reads: "Call me later!" You pick it up and read the other side: "542-9557".

You quickly slip the coaster in your jacket before your brother notices. Then he winks and asks if you're having a good time. Maybe you are, but maybe it'd be better if you could get out of here and see what that hot chick was all about.  

[The Seasick Sailor]

[.Chiaroscuro.]

Jem began to ponder the purpose of such a book. An obvious answer was an almanac of sorts... the phases of the moon used as markers, of course. But what would they possibly mark, and how did they know what to expect from it? Quite confusing... Her hand flipped more pages, noting the appearance of the six-pointed star once more before the hand drifted to her nose as she stifled another dust-fueled sneeze.

Seeing the six-pointed star so often was beginning to bother her. She gently flipped several more pages, trying to recall anything she may have read on this subject... This book was pagan, so she highly doubted the six-pointed star meant the Star of David... Alchemy was always a possibility, she thought as she turned the page to spot yet another star. Wasn't that one of the symbols used in it? She just couldn't remember. It had been years since she had delved into anything of that sort.

Jem flipped yet another page and gasped at a most unexpected surprise. The entire page was devoted to one large symbol: a skull, brooding and heavily detailed. The reddish coloring of the picture led the woman to doubt that only ink had been used to create this. Jem needed no reference book; this symbol meant death in virtually every language. She shut the book and stood quickly. Whatever this was, she wanted no further part of it.

"Thank you for allowing me to, ah... investigate." she said somewhat hurriedly, pushing the book back towards the pile, "But I think I'll be getting back to my own mystery now. It was nice meeting you, Gary." she said before turning to walk away.

"Oh, okay, that's no problem, eheh..." Gary feebly smiled. Looking at his watch, he commented, "Oh, well, look at the time! I could be here for hours, but I have Mass tomorrow mornings, so... uh, I guess I'll be seeing you, maybe?"

Gary stood, getting ready to leave. He nodded politely before saying, "And I'll probably just leave the books here... you know... just in case you want to read again?"

Finally, Gary waves before heading out the door, out into the world and dark night beyond.

Startled from the image earlier, you hurriedly place the books at the front desk so you can label them tomorrow morning. Then you tuck the book you were currently reading before retiring to your own quarters for the night. Maybe some sleep will clear your head. Hopefully...

The next day...

You unlock the doors to the library before dropping off your business materials in your office. As you head towards the check-out desk, you notice something amiss, like something--ah, the books! But, where are they? Where could they be? Did... did someone break in and--no, they couldn't have! There wasn't any sign of forced entry... was there?

You frantically search for the books, wondering where they could have disappeared to. You check above, below, and around any nearby desks, yet no books are found. How strange! Where did they go?!

Suddenly, you hear a faint chime. Someone has entered the library so you climb out from under the desk (feeling slightly foolish) and straighten yourself before welcoming the guest.

"Welcome to the--" But you stop in mid-sentence. Gary stands before, white as a sheet, and you can only imagine what might have happened to him. Maybe he saw a ghost? Actually, right now, he's starting to look like one.

"Oh, Gary..."

"Um, J-J-Jem... I th-think you need t-to take a l-l-look at this..."

"A look at wha--" Then he reveals the books from under his coat. The unmistakeable appearance of those thick, ancient tomes from last night; however, this time, they appear to be covered in what appears to be... dried blood? But... dried blood? From where? And... who's?

You reel back in shock and disgust. What the hell was this? What's going on?

"Gary, what... what's going on?!!"

"Here... uh, I should show you..."

Gary walks to where you are, just to the other side of the desk and open one of the tomes. Unlike last night, this one has no images, every single page is colored jet black, no reflection. It's almost as if the paper is absorbing all the light around it. When you glide your finger over it, you notice that it feels cold to the touch, and the familiar feeling of chill seizes your spine again. This is one Hellish book...  

[The Seasick Sailor]

[.Chiaroscuro.]

Jem immediately lifts her hand from the paper, as if it would bite her if it lingered too long. There was something stranger than just a simple ink spill going on here... "Gary, I... You had nothing to do with this?" she looked to him for some reaction or answer. She took another step back, making it clear that she wanted as little to do with this as necessary. "Well, it's absolutely clear that I can't take them now... I deal with books, not... forensic evidence..." she said, swallowing thickly as she took another look at the now blood-red covers of the books. "I really... don't know what you want me to do about it..."

((Hm. Annoyingly short...))

[[Don't worry, short is fine. Now, lets' have some fun!]]

"Jem, I... I don't know wh-what to do... do with these! I mean, I... I c-c-can't... I just... I dont' know..."

Gary sets the books down on the table, afraid to hold them any longer. He has no idea what's going on, and it's scaring the Hell out of him. He can barely manage to talk, and he's shivering all over. What was with these books? He had thought that maybe Jem could help, but maybe he was wrong.

"S-S-Sorry ab-bout th-this... I... I need to go... M-M-Mass..."

Gary suddenly darts out the door, head hanging low. You swear you can smell the lingering fear that he left behind. There's something very wrong with these books, and it seems to have taken a toll on the Catholic man. What's going on? And why?