Book 7, Chapter 2: Hunting the Hunter

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{{#set:

  | title  = Hunting the Hunter
  | is a   = chapter
  | chapter of = Humans are the Worst
  }}{{#set: chapter number = 2 | ordinal = 2 }}{{#set: has parent story = {{#ask: is book of::Humans are the Worst has book number::7 |link=none|limit=1|searchlabel=}} | chapter in book = {{#ask: is book of::Humans are the Worst has book number::7 |link=none|limit=1|searchlabel=}} }}{{#set: book number = 7 }}{{#set: blurb = In which information is tracked down about the creature terrorizing Mohawk College, at unknown cost. }}{{#set: content = Jack wakes up in bed.  He barely remembered what happened in the Never Never, but recalls the sound of dripping water - somewhere - falling and landing below.  He had no clue where it had come from or where it went.  He called Allan.

Allan awoke to the sound of his cell going off. He got a text from a lab tech friend. The hair sample analysis (of the creature) would be ready by the end of the day. Allan quickly writes down what he remembered from the trip to the Never Never, surprised that he was not at his house but was at the morgue, and that it was about 10 am. As he jumped into the portal, it felt like the heel of his shoes were caught and had been scraped off. He remembers the impression of a long hallway, a high ceiling, the sound of water dripping, and the sense of being surrounded by SOMETHING. Before he could write down anything else, the phone rang (Jack). Jack and Allan decided to meet for lunch. They called Anton.

Anton woke up in a cage in the Animal Control Center. He didn't even try to remember what had happened because his blackouts were common. He changes back into a human and starts to make a commotion. Being a black naked guy in a dog cage can cause a lot of commotion! It was at that time when a provincial (?) inspection team came. "Our humane standards are totally up to spec," said the tour guide. "We do audits monthly and-" and then she saw Anton. The inspectors got shoved out. Anton got shoved out of the SPCA, and the tour guide started to wonder how she would explain this. Anton sees the auditors get into a black car and drive off. As a dog, Anton walks to Mohawk where he has a change of clothing in a locker. As a human, he got the clothing out of the locker. As a human, he got escorted off of the campus.

By noon, everyone met to compare notes. Anton argues over the cost of food. (It was at a Starbucks.) They talked about what to do next and decided that they needed more information. There was no idea what had happened to the girl who was attacked. They decided to talk to David to do some research.

Before meeting with David, Anton went to talk to the Bulldogs about his night, and the attacks that had happened on campus. After his mandatory shower, he got sympathetic nods as he described being locked in the cage. Mostly, he was talking to Eddy who had sprained his wrist yesterday and was pumping weights today. Bulldogs heal fast! Now, normally there are physicians who will lie for the BDs if the extent of injuries are not made public. Eddy had some questions for Anton, and some answers too. Anton described what the beast smelt like and looked like. "That sounds kind of bear-like" Eddy said "but I don't know of any werebears who are around here. There are also some never never creatures that could have been like." There was some discussion about the fireball that the creature had thrown, and if it looked like what David Chu looks like when he casts spells. Eddy also asked if it was holding or pointing with something. It turned out that Anton did see the creature holding something chained around its neck - something that glowed very faintly. A necklace? A talisman? Anton also describes the beast's footprint. It was mostly human, but slightly smaller at the sole, and chunkier toes that ended in claws. It was also mishapen. Anton didn't see it shifting, so that had to be its normal footprint. Eddy said he knew of someone who could provide some answers, but not for free. Also, this wasn't the type of person whom someone goes to blindly. Anton would have to use Eddy's name, and mind his manners. Manners are VERY important.

((OOC NOTE: there is no Eddy in the RL Bulldogs.))

Anton went to the address. The house was big and weird. There was a large porch in the front, and an actual tower built into the house. There was a sign: For Sale or Lease. The house looked abandoned. The back way into the house was unlocked; so Anton let himself in. There was a finished basement as well as a sub-basement. Near the bottom of the stairs of the subbasement, the air got warm, and then hot. It felt like someone was breathing down Anton's neck. "Eddy sent me", Anton said. There was a pause and a rummble from behind Anton. From all over the room, a voice came. "He did, did he? Why?" In response to Anton having some questions, the voice said "And what do you have to trade?" "I have gift cards!" replied Anton. "I trade in information and favors," the voice replied, "not gift cards." "I can do that. I get around!"

The voice asks about Allan, Jack and Mia; though not by name. Specifically, it wanted to know where Allan lived; Jack's weaknesses; and anything it could learn about Maya. Anton told it about the general area where Allan lives, and how he used Falling Leaves style. About Jack, he says he doesn't like bugs and that he is human... probably... and that he is a good cook. Maya fights with an axe that she got in some museum, and she was part of a messed up dream. In exchange for this information, Anton learned that the people who were taken were likely taken to be part of a ritual, but that is not guaranteed. The creature likely did not cross of its own accord but was most likely summoned. The voice's patience grew thin, and it said Anton could ask one more question. When he asked about the creature's affiliations, the voice said that was a heavy question and required something equally heavy - and something amusing to boot. Anton told the Voice about the unnamed entity that was living in the sewers. When the voice learned that it had no name, there was a sharp intake of breath. Anton learned that the bear-wraiths were servants of the dead god Qutesh. After getting this information, the voice ordered Anton out. Anton left and ran to the nearest bathroom (Tims).

Everyone met at David's house for dinner. At dinner (which was amazing. Of course it was amazing. Jack cooked.) Anton related what he did and what information he was given in return. David did recognize the name Qutesh, vaguely. It was an sometimes evoked when one was experiencing strong emotions, especially lust and wraith or anger. However David didn't recall what society it was associated with.

There was some discussion that this could all be a mystic version of Columbine - some kid summoning these things to get even. Basically, we would need a spell to find who was summoning the bear-wraiths.

That night, everyone went up to Mohawk. Jack was able to get some pictures of the crime scene, which was mostly untouched. There was no police tape, nor was there a cell phone. By looking at the online version of the papers, Allan discovered that the emergency response unit did come and found the student unconscious. There was no sign of sexual assult, and her blood alcohol had not been tested, though officials chalked up the incident to alcohol, bringing the total up to 8. Dona Hawthorn had covered that particular story. There was more information on the "alleged, unconfirmed" attacks: they had all happened between midnight and 1 am, all in the same area and there were no eye-witnesses. The attacks seemed to have happened on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.

In the bar on campus, Anton dealt his cards and listened to gossip. Apparently, some of his coupons had expired, but he was able to sell them anyways. That is when She arrived. A girl. Kimberly, called Kim for short. Tall, pretty, obviously drunk. She looked like she had been in a fight, and smelt like a bear. It was the girl from last night. ((OOC: this is what happens when you get 8 shifts on a Contacts roll.)) Anton introduces himself, and lies through his teeth to get information from her. He says he is setting up a support group for people who had been attacked by this thing. "What was that guy's deal anyways?!" Kim says when she hears this. "I was pinned and tried to ___ but it jumped away. I don't recall anything else... just the paramedics coming. He didn't steal anything either - not my money or cards or laptop. He would have taken that, right?" Anton got her contact information and said that the support group meeting would be next Monday night (after his anger management classes).

A little later, Ashton and Allan went into the bar. Allan had a pint of beer. Anton had a few pitches. They made some plans on what to do next. Anton made a note to make some posters to hang up, and Allan did some conceptual planning on a spell to help track the link between the ANCIENT creature and whoever or whatever summoned it.

FLASHBACK! James (Just James) may not know much about the rules of magic, but he has heard of the "Council", which is, for all intents and purposes, "The Man". And the Man is never good! However, James has also heard of a group of magic users who meet at Mohawk College three times a week and wanted to find out more about them. He's tried to talk to people on the street, especially other street kids, with some success - but that only confirmed that he needs to go to Mohawk. The confirmation came from Dirty Bob (who showers at the YMCA three times each day).

James managed to convince his friend Tommy to go with him to check the Mohawk group out. Even though Tommy didn't want to see what was happening (partly because he attributes James's magic tricks to perfectly mundane things), Tommy agrees to go.

Around midnight, James and Tommy got jumped. all James could remember seeing was something dark and fast before he got knocked down on his butt. Tom was nowhere to be found, and James' amulet was missing. He had a moment of panic when he realized that his amulet was gone, and that he had landed on his jade fan - which, thankfully, was still intact.

Over the next few days, James tried to find both Tom and his amulet. He was unable to find either.

FLASHFORWARD!

At the bar, Anton was too far into his drinks to help track the bear wraith. Allan summoned a willow-whip to track the link between the wraith and the summoner. Jack and Allan followed the light around campus, leading them to the west end of Mohawk College. They saw a person walking, alone, across the grass. Behind the person, there was a larger, dark shape ging from shadow-patch to shadow-patch towards the walker. Obviously, this was the bear wraith. In preparation for some sort of fight, Jack sticks to the shadows, ready to strike at a moments notice; while Allan draws his sword. His siloette looks similar to the bear wraith's because of a furry cloak he is wearing.

As James walks across campus to get a beer, he sees the willow-whip and decides to investigate it. He sees Allan's silhouette. Could this be the thing that attacked him? He draws his glock - the one that was used in a murder a few years ago.

Allan sees a teenager who is obviously trying to look tough by pulling out a gun. He says "Oh crap..."

The willow-whisp disappears into the kid.

James sees the wisp go towards him, faster and faster, until it goes over him, and into his head. It didn't hurt or anything. He yells "WTF was that?!" at Allan, aiming his gun at him. That is when he hears the growling behind him. James's lizard brain gets triggered with the fight or flight response. He fires three wild shots as the bear wraith rushes James. For the first time, James gets a good look at what attacked him: a human sized creature with a beastial face, broad shoulders and no shoes. It swipes at James's face and James sees the flash of the raiser-sharp claws. He ducks out of the way and realizes that he has just gotten VERY lucky. Since the beast was in his face, James decides to take the target out. He misses with his gun.

The beast, decides the best thing to do is create a firestorm of a fire-ball; and escapes. Jack manages to get everyone out, though not scarred (or, uncharred, as the case may be). }}{{#set: starring = Allan Tarik }}{{#set: starring = Anton Jackson }}{{#set: starring = Jack Marks }}

Hunting the Hunter

Copps Coliseum, Mohawk College, timestamp::2012/01/18 (played session date::2012/01/25)

In which information is tracked down about the creature terrorizing Mohawk College, at unknown cost.

Jack wakes up in bed. He barely remembered what happened in the Never Never, but recalls the sound of dripping water - somewhere - falling and landing below. He had no clue where it had come from or where it went. He called Allan.