The events in the Mage: the Ascension chronicle: Duplicity ( #DPLCTY), between 08/17/2019 to 08/24/2019.
Mage Storyteller
[Open 24 hr] A beautiful & somewhat rare red cockaded woodpecker has appeared in prospect hill cemetery. The bird seems content to hang out, flitting about the trees seemingly always able to avoid having its picture taken in any quality.
Sitri Lovelace
Sitri Lovelace:
[I woke up to a text from kai telling me to get to the cemetery. After some complaining I grab my bag and head out. I meet up with him right outside the gates] “ok so why exactly are we going to this cemetery again? Cause I had some stuff I was gonna research.”
Mage Storyteller:
You find Kai crouching behind a mausoleum, the Vogt family, you idly notice. He shushes you a little, more out of preoccupation than rudeness. He’s watching a group of people a ways away through a pair of binoculars, a small mob of photographers creeping around a copse.
“They’re here after some bird” he says, his voice rapt, “Though they seem quite baffled by whatever the fuck its doing. I mean, this bird is seriously pissing off all these bird watching types.”
Sitri Lovelace:
[I grab the binoculars and hop on top of the mausoleum for a better look. I’m Trying to act cool and not let them see my still ink stained fingers.] “let me see if I can get a better angle…hey um I don’t know how to explain it but last night was pretty weird”
Mage Storyteller:
The stone of the mausoleum is warm beneath your hands, comforting as you crawl atop it. Seven or eight people are gathered in the copse and you start suddenly, seeing one of them wrapped in layers of cloth — then relax. The woman is dressed in loose fitting linens.
Just a trick of the light. Kai looks up at you, concern in his eyes. [What color are Kai’s eyes?]
Sitri Lovelace:
[His eyes are gray like mine that’s part of how we bonded] “All these people for some bird. People have way to much time on their hands.”
Sitri Lovelace:
[ After looking around and seeing the cloth I take a minute and give back the binoculars. I pull out one of my joints from a pack of cardsthat I use to carry them around in] “Hey um…if..if I tell you something promise you won’t think I’m crazy.
Mage Storyteller:
Kai smiles. “No more crazy than you already are. Shoot, what’s on your mind? And pass that shit.”
Sitri Lovelace:
[I pass it over to him and give a weak smile but it quickly falls away. I’m not looking at him I’m just staring out towards the group of people.] “I had a dream last night. It was bizarre I was floating and then flying towards a tower and it was covered in rags.”
Mage Storyteller:
He gives you a quizzical look through the smoke drifting from his mouth. “Sorry Sitri, I didn’t realize you were shook up? Sounds kind of freaky. What was in the tower?”
Sitri Lovelace:
“Like it was covered in rags but I think it was just old canvas and paintings. I think the tower was coated in them and when I touched it. It looked like a painting of a man I started a long time ago”
Mage Storyteller:
Kai frowns slightly “You’ve been under a lot of stress lately to finish pieces. I’m worried you’re putting too much on yourself Sitri. You gotta take it easy on your brain.”
Sitri Lovelace:
my hands are shaking slightly] “ But that’s the thing. I don’t think it’s was all in my brain. I still have ink stains on my hands from touching it.”[ I finally turn to look at him. I’m scared]
Mage Storyteller:
He takes your hands and scratches at the ink. “Jesus, what is that shit? I mean, are you sure you weren’t sleepwalking or just like, stoned or something?”
Sitri Lovelace:
“ I mean maybe? Idk. It just.. something felt .. Idk I just felt something.[I turn back toward the group. What are they doing?]
Mage Storyteller:
He steps next to you, hand on your shoulder. “Hey, sorry I didn’t mean to just dismiss you. That’s some freaky shit and I’m sure there’s something there. And the ink thing is you know, freaky.” [The people have stopped and seem to be talking to a newcomer.]
Sitri Lovelace:
[ I just shake my head smile and take the joint from him] “it’s fine dude just another weird day. anyway it looks like something’s happening over in that group. Simone just joined them.”
Clay Hellstrom
Clay Hellstrom:
[I head out with Allison. She’s of the opinion I need to see more of the area than just Des’ bar, my neighbourhood, Des’ neighbourhood, the library, and the hospitals]
“So… the graveyard. This is your idea of seeing the sites, huh?”
Mage Storyteller:
Her eyes twinkle, “Well it is a site. Not to mention it’s… peaceful. It’s one of the only places where that’s not just swarming with people. I swear, the air even smells a little more fresh. How’ve you been Clay?”
Clay Hellstrom:
“Okay, for the most part. Lots of practice. Des is teaching me a few new tricks, encouraging me to do a few performances. I have to contact the city, find out if I need a license to perform on the street.”
Mage Storyteller:
“That’s so excellent — you’ll have to let me know where you’re performing! I’ll happen to pass by and happen to cheer very loudly.” She looks around suddenly as a group of people emerge from the trees snapping pictures after something higher. “Oh what the fuck.”
Clay Hellstrom:
Huh?” (Look up at whatever is passing by, extend my spherical senses as need be)
Mage Storyteller:
[The group seems harmless enough, though extending your magickal senses there’s a frenetic energy to them and a bloated sense of energy and vitality. More than you’d expect from a regular group of bird watching enthusiasts.]
Clay Hellstrom:
(Turn to aallison, nod my head toward the crowd and walk toward them) “Hey guys, what’s the rumpus? What’s got you all so excited?”
Mage Storyteller:
One of them breaks off from the group and approaches, hushing you. It’s very odd seeing a group of people clearly as excited as they are desperately trying to maintain silent. “Don’t you know? It is a Red Cockaded Woodpecker! It’s been years since one was seen in D.C.!
Clay Hellstrom:
“So you are ornithologists?”
Mage Storyteller:
They sniff. “Most of us are hobbyists. But very dedicated. I’m Elise.” They hold up those binoculars. “Would you like to see?”
Clay Hellstrom:
“Yeah, I’m always up for a rare sighting.” (I turn to Allison to see her reaction)
Mage Storyteller:
She watches, amused, a small smile on her face. [Do you look for the bird?]
Clay Hellstrom:
(Hell yes) “So what am I looking for? The only woodpeckers I recall seeing back home were Northern Flickers. Kinda dull looking.”
Jonas Carter
Jonas Carter:
I wake up, tired from a log night, and look at the calendar and give a heavy sigh as I realize today is the day, and head to Prospect Hill Cemetery.
Mage Storyteller:
Outside in contrast to your own heavy heart you hear the sound of children playing. A memory consumes you. We see you and Mark shortly after initiation – sacred patterns. He looks over at you, the next words very clear in your memory. What sort of person was Mark?
Jonas Carter:
[Mark was a perpetual optimist; he always saw the upside of any situation, some path we could take to get out of trouble. He didn’t believe in no win scenarios.]
Mage Storyteller:
“Let’s do it”, comes his voice, “You’ve been eyeing that ritual since you got that book. Yeah, maybe it’s a little out there but-“, he playfully slams a fist on the table, “We are young and tenacious and indestructible!” He laughs then, “Or something like it at least.”
Jonas Carter:
“Have you lost your mind Mark? The proctor made it quite clear that this kind of spell work is far beyond my knowledge? Do you have any idea what would happen if we screw this up?”
Mage Storyteller:
He leans back, grinning. “Do you have any idea what will happen if I have to watch you drool over it any longer? Listen, we’ll do it right. We’ll have all the failsafes in place & if it looks like it’s getting hairy we’ll bail out before we invoke the sign. We got this.”
Jonas Carter:
“I admit that I love the idea of being able to do all the equations in my head is too good to pass up…fine. Tonight.”
Mage Storyteller:
Mark grins in victory. “This is excellent. I’m ready to do the damn thing! Look, I know we have to be careful, I know the masters have our best interests at heart. I’m just ready to… ready to dip a toe in the water. Start feeling… prepared.”
Jonas Carter:
A tear comes to my eye and a smile to my lips at the memory as I stare down at a grave:
Mark Wills
Hodie Aut Numquam
Mage Storyteller:
[A silvery fern has sprouted from his grave near the headstone, its leaves fanning out over the gravestone. Someone has left flowers there recently as well.]
Jonas Carter:
I get down on one knee, brush the leaves back and trace a small circle on the ground to ward off decay from the flowers [Entropy 3] “Hi Mark, sorry I’m a little later then usual, I got lost in my work…not that that surprises you.”
“I’m keeping up the fight Mark. Maybe not exactly like you would have, but I’m doing my best. Fighting the good fight and making sure those technocratic bastards pay for every drop of blood they’ve spilt.”
Paul Chambers (Continuing scene from Week 2)
Mage Storyteller:
Your therapist, somewhere, nods approvingly. In front of the pool is a local church group bake sale, a treasure trove of pastries for sale, blueberry muffins, apple fritters, jamdrop cookies & more. Your kids eyes turn up to you, pleading before the words even come out.
Paul Chambers:
I smile at them. Sure, we’ll buy them now and you can eat them *after* you swim for a bit. It’s not good to eat right before swimming. Paul lets them pick out two things to indulge them. “You’re only young once, kids.”
Mage Storyteller:
Your kids nearly burst out running to the pool, remembering at the last moment that that is unacceptable behavior and instead speed walking ahead of you into the facility. [I think you see another parent at the pool with kids in your grade. Who is that parent?]
Paul Chambers:
It’s Marquis. He’s a Navy veteran, and someone Paul admires. He’s got twin girls. He’s also a bit esoteric, which always amuses Paul. He likes to talk about “The Dawn of Time” and things like that.
Mage Storyteller:
“Paul!”, Marquis exclaims, your own children already joining in his children’s game of marco polo. “Good breeze & a lovely sky out, hows this day treating you! Shame you couldn’t make it to the barbecue the other day, Elise and I missed you there.”
Paul Chambers:
“Hey, bud. Sorry about that, there was an emergency at work. Why don’t we have one at my house soon?” Paul smiles, but dies a little inside because he hates barbecues, but knows he’s socially trapped.
Mage Storyteller:
“Excellent” says Marquis, “I have a couple new books I’d like to show you. A friend of mine got them while traveling in Sri Lanka…” looking past him as he explains, through the chain link fence you see the air seeming to squirm eight feet or so off the ground.
Paul Chambers:
Paul locks his eyes on ‘whatever’ it is. He’s just nodding along with Marquis, zoning out what he’s saying.
Mage Storyteller:
The thing pulses in and out of existence seemingly. With each pulse you catch a scent hits your at the same time — welded metal, sweat and gasoline.
Paul Chambers:
Paul tried to shake himself out of it. Grabs his phone, and walks over to where the thing is. He wants to try and photograph it, and probably call in some tech support. At this point, with everything happening today he suspects reality deviants.