Easthaven Harbour Simple truth miscalled simplicity

[Theo Crowhurst]

Outfit

Despite still being mostly human, Theo occasionally dipped into the nocturnal experience. Today, he was seeking out a vampire. A vampire he had suggested Lethe hire and a vampire who had been involved in a scuffle back in New York City. Theo wasn't worried, having checked the report and not found anything alarming beyond how things did not quite match up for him. Mind control, some manner of geas, what-have-you, and yet the one who had most likely shaken the influence–a vampire, sure, but a daywalker as well.

So a wanted fugitive of a sort, but one that was not sinister in the least, was what Theo had on his hands. The Inquisitor wanted little more than a clear answer, indicating whether he should tell the New York cohort where their lost vampire was or say nothing. The issue was not urgent, but Theo liked to get it off his plate. Having checked with the Matron, she'd implied Portnoy had intended to stay late, but in the same vein, Theo had run late as well, delayed with some trivial matter back at the office before he could hit the streets and cross the bridge back to Lethe.

He vaguely knew which direction Portnoy left for home, even if he hadn't thought to be invasive enough to figure out where he lived. So Theo headed in that direction, on foot rather than in his Vantage, knowing the impressive car couldn't navigate the streets of Old Town as he could on foot. His coat was a shield against the cold, buttoned closed and shielding him from the coastal winds. The only sound was his footsteps on the cobblestones and the dark street eerily empty this late at night.

A quiet song was coming from a distance away, closer to the harbour proper, but Theo ignored it. If it was a song accompanied by compulsion, he did not have time for it then. Instead, he spotted the shape of Portnoy up ahead and decided he would rather not sneak up on the man like a mugger.

“Oi! Portnoy!” Theo hollered, hands cupped around his mouth. “You got a minute?” He broke into an easy jog, not in a hurry, but not interested in being overly polite when he was tired.

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb was in a good mood. He'd gotten quite a lot of work done on the filing system today, and it always felt nice to accomplish something. So when someone called his name, he didn't startle and just turned to see who it was.

He pulled his hands from his unnecessary coat's pockets, smiling a little as he saw the Inquisitor heading over. Changing directions, he walked to meet the human in the middle, offering a small wave. “Sure thing, Crowhurst,” he said. “What did you need?”

[Theo Crowhurst]

Portnoy seemed a good sport, with no hint of unease at being called over by a human in the middle of the fucking night. Maybe he didn't realise, so used to being nocturnal. There were some undead like that, wholly acclimatised to their new life and lacking suspicion. Aldane was like that, terribly cheerful, but from all he'd said, his ascent into undead had been a bit of selfless sacrifice. Maybe it was in the way they died that defined how undead approached their un-lives?

“A quick check-in. Got some questions for you,” Theo said as they closed in, stopping by one of the upright supports for the railing that lined the edge of the river. High tide was coming in as it neared 3 AM, the water lapping against the seawall. The smell of the ocean was strong, and Theo tucked a hand in his pocket to fish out his cigarettes, giving in once again despite trying to quit. It was one of those nights. “How's your work so far? Finding it to your liking?”

Ever the Englishman, he did feel the need to inject some polite niceties into the conversation, even if the reason he was talking to Portnoy was something entirely different.

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb breathed in the strong scent of the ocean with a faint smile on his face. The smell of the harbor and the rivers in New York City had been getting better over the years, little by little, but this was far better. He rested his hands on the railing and watched the waves.

“It's going well, thank you,” he responded. “It's nice to find a way to be helpful again.”  He shut his mouth, silently berating himself for letting too much slip, but the best move was to act like it didn't happen. “I'm getting along well with my new coworkers, I think, too.”

[Theo Crowhurst]

Portnoy’s response felt like it revealed a little of the man, a desire to be helpful and a time before this when he did not feel he was. Strange, considering his work in the Exchange in New York. Did he not get a job that suited his skills, or did something else wear down his sense of contributing meaningfully? With his brother so well-liked by all reports, Theo had to wonder at the crack in the facade.

“Excellent, that’s good to hear,” Theo said, tone genuine even if it was measured. He’d taken a bit of a risk, but it had worked out for everyone involved. Then, he gave Portnoy a measured look, cocking his head to the side as he rummaged for his lighter for the cigarette. Theo let the silence only long enough to be polite before diving into the issue. “Now, I have a question for you. A report came from New York about an altercation with your photo attached. Now, I don’t trust the report to be entirely truthful because I smell a rat, and I’m a suspicious bastard. So, I want to hear your side of the story, Portnoy. What happened?”

Theo arched his eyebrows at the vampire, questioning but unbothered by it all. During this possibly concerning topic for Portnoy, the Englishman brought the cigarette to his lips and flicked the lighter on to light it.

Rather deliberately, Theo gave the man no details about what the report said. If the stories didn’t match, he’d have to rely on his own instincts on what was the more correct story or if none were correct at all.

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb tensed up, his grip tightening on the railing before he let go to face Theo, taking a step back. He glanced around, his hand, body taut as a bowstring. The only reason he wasn't running right now was because the subject had surprised him long enough for Theo to mention not trusting the report.

Eyes wide in obvious panic, he said “I'm not going back. I'd rather die, permanently, first.” He was surprised by how strong his feelings were, but he kept going. “He said he was going to kill my friend, hide it as normal Exchange business. I- I thought it was just me but, but, he was willing to hurt other people too!” He blinked away tears. He had to pay attention to know if he had to run.

[Theo Crowhurst]

As Theo watched for Portnoy's repose, his eyebrows inched up his forehead as the man's response was quite emphatic. This was no compulsion through mind magic or glamour; this was just raw emotion. As the story followed all at once, Theo's eyebrows dropped into a fierce frown. All very troubling to hear, but ultimately he wasn't sure there was anything he could do about such a case. Cohorts dealt with their own business; he had no power in New York, only professional courtesy given by his rank.

And that wouldn't get him far if he targeted the NYC cohort's apparent golden boy. Frustrating and the exact kind of thing Theo loathed to see in his agents. Dark thoughts hiding behind seemingly innocent facades. It was easier to deal with when it was an open secret; countermeasures could be in place.

Even so, Theo could not know if Portnoy was being truthful either, but there was a way he could find out.

“I won't tell them where you are,” Theo reassured firmly if a bit emotionless in the face of Portnoy's strong feelings. Merely talking about it had set Portnoy in a bit of a panic, so it was a serious matter. “They have no power here, just as I have no power over there. Would you swear to this under an Oath?”

Theo simply had to think of a phrasing that would cover what he needed to know. Too vague, and it could be useless. Go too broad, and it could be a dangerous misuse of the magic.

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb stopped backing away at the reassurance his location wouldn't be given away, although he tensed back up at the mention of an Oath. He scrubbed a hand through his hair, trying to think and not freak out. “You really won't tell? I... I did attack him...” he quavered. “I guess I could swear an Oath, if you give me a chance to calm down enough to think...” He'd just gotten out of an Oath that had controlled him for some 300 years. He didn't want to accidentally walk into something else. He took a deep breath and forced his shoulders to relax. He tugged sharply at his hair once before letting go. “I'm sorry, I didn't want to bring any trouble here. I thought he wouldn't report it because the Exchange might want to look in the house and I didn't clean up, but I guess that was just me being stupid...”

[Theo Crowhurst]

As Portnoy sought confirmation that Theo would not tell, the Englishman offered a firm nod, letting the other man keep talking rather than interject with a well-meaning but ultimately pointless promise or oath. Theo wouldn't; the NYC cohort could take a long walk off a short pier for all he cared.

“You're not bringing trouble,” Theo pointed out, lifting his cigarette to pull in a mouthful of the smoke. He'd like to see some outsider swan in and pretend they had any authority in his town. He'd pay to see someone be that foolish; then he'd let Don do what he wanted to them. With that vicious thought flitting through his head, Theo turned to blow the smoke out over the railing, watching the night winds grab the smoke and whirl it away. “This is my town, as far as the New York Exchange is concerned–” Theo turned back to Portnoy, bracing his hand on the railing and letting the cigarette ember flare in the wind. “–But I need the whole story. Do you swear to tell me, in full detail and truthfully, what happened the night you attacked your brother and why you did it?”

Theo was deliberately specific with his request for the oath, knowing that it was the best way to get accurate information and someone willing to enter an oath. The information was, supposedly, something Portnoy had already offered to tell. Once Portnoy finished telling him, with no details left out, it would fulfil the oath.

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb straightened up, his eyes flicking to the side as he turned the phrasing over in his head. It seemed alright. He took a deep breath, trying not to feel like he was betraying his brother. It was too late for that. He would have to talk about the Room, and he didn't know how to do that, but if it could get him some measure of protection, he'd take it.

“I do swear,” he intoned, “to tell you, in full detail and truthfully, what happened the night I attacked my brother and why I did it.” He felt the Oath slot into place and swallowed uncomfortably. The sooner he fulfilled the terms, the sooner the weight would be off of him.

He ran a hand through his hair as he turned the the story over in his head. He'd have to go back earlier for context.

Finally he felt like he had somewhere to start. “A few months ago, I met a woman named Naomi Gartner through the Exchange. She was Jewish and I-” He started to say a lie on reflex then winced in pain and told the truth. “I'm Jewish, as well, although I haven't practiced since my first death. I was interested in talking about that with her. We started talking and I think we became friends.” He'd started to stare off into space, knowing this would only get harder, but he glanced over at Crowhurst again. “She told me she grew up here, in Easthaven.”

Then his eyes went distant again. “She sometimes acted concerned over details I'd share about my relationship with my brother, and it made me start to question things a little. The night I attacked him, Richard looked at my phone and saw my texts with Naomi.”

Caleb faltered. This was where it really got difficult.

[Theo Crowhurst]

Portnoy didn't hesitate, which only impressed upon Theo how bad of a situation it must've been for the vampire. Supernaturals usually didn't like oaths, even simple ones. Even Theo didn't like them, cautious about promises and measuring the oaths he offered others. A lifetime made it hard to forget their significance, even if he'd spent most of his life unaffected by them. Not so these days.

The vampire didn't dive straight into it, gathering himself or somesuch, and Theo slowly smoked his cigarette as he patiently waited. He also looked away, leaning against the railing to look out over the dark waters, hearing the distant song of something. Maybe Portnoy would be more comfortable if Theo wasn't staring him down.

Then the story began, calm at first, with a bit of personal detail that had some significance to the story, with the little hiccup. Some undead were touchy about the religions in their past, especially those who were still around. Judaism was a global religion, so Theo briefly wondered how it felt to get ostracised from a community on such a deep level, with comforting symbols of faith turned into objects that hurt.

With the root of the matter coming forward–someone outside the relationship throwing doubt on the image of a loving brother–Theo began putting some preliminary pieces on the board. Theo had seen similar cases as a policeman in London and Boston, but they were wretched each time.

When Portnoy faltered, Theo looked towards him. What came next would have to be the trigger cause, the why of the attack Portnoy levelled on his brother.

“He didn't like what he saw?” Theo murmured, softly encouraging Portnoy to continue.

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb gave a humorless chuckle. “I hadn't seen him that mad in a long time. And, if he'd just punished me, I don't think i would have done anything.” The Oath pushed him a little. He had to explain. He swallowed hard and wrapped his arms around himself.

“We... have a Room. With a chair, with restraints. When Richard is upset with me he'll-” His voice caught. “He'll strap me down and hurt me. Sometimes enough to kill. Depends on how bad I upset him. So we did that. But... afterwards, he released the restraints and said he was- was going to kill Naomi. And write a report to make it look like it was normal Exchange work. I was hurt too badly to keep him from going. I still don't know if he succeeded.”

[Theo Crowhurst]

“Bloody hell,” the Englishman muttered, the disgust twisting through his gut as Portnoy admitted to the twisted game his brother had been playing with him. Theo might actually be sick, which made the location for this conversation entirely appropriate. If he had to retch, at least it'd go straight into the ocean. Some casual torture and fratricide, made worse because the victim couldn't die. The cycle continued endlessly, and the man wanted his brother back. No doubt to continue the violent cycle.

He took a moment, pulling the cigarette out of his mouth so he wouldn't choke on the smoke as he tried to swallow what Portnoy was saying. Blood and torture were not new, Theo'd seen grisly cases time and time again, but they were uniquely awful in their own way each time they came up. Thoughtless torture with no agenda behind it. Not even twisted magic. That Portnoy's case involved family made it seem worse, especially to Theo, who had grown up where family loyalty was what they lived by, even if he'd defied their wishes.

“I can see if I can find anything on her,” Theo offered after clearing his throat, putting his cigarette back in the corner of his mouth. His face was fixed in an angry frown, as it almost always was, but this time it was not simply irritation. “But that's not the type of information cohorts share unless asked, but it might give up the game to your sick and twisted brother. I'll err on the side of caution unless her family asks after her whereabouts.” Theo angled a look at Portnoy, trying not to look too pitying, but he wondered if he had failed.

Ultimately, Theo realised there might be little he could do about the case. Crimes like these fell into the purview of the police. The Exchange had its charter, dangerous magic, dangerous creatures, and supernaturals threatening the secrecy of their community; those were the things they dealt in. Many stretched the bounds of that, but Theo hadn't taken the job to become a vigilante. Richard Coburn was dirt, and Theo would happily watch the man get chained into a coffin and dumped into the Mariana Trench, but he didn't have grounds to do that himself. There wasn't enough actionable evidence for the police to do anything.

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb found himself shrinking in place in the face of Crowhurst's anger. To him it felt like the man was disgusted with him for allowing that to continue, or for being so wretched as to lead his own brother to hurt him like that.

“If you can find out, or help her in any way, I'd appreciate it...” he mumbled, voice shrinking. But his story wasn't done.

“Usually I clean up after Richard... afterwards. And after I've healed enough. But I realized some things as I was cleaning up. I thought I was the only one Richard hurt, but I'm not... and I realized he might hurt other people who try to get close to me, even if I keep them at arm's length. I decided I had to leave, but- but I couldn't- I-” He took a deep breath, staring at the ground with occasional glances to check how much he was passing Crowhurst off. “I swore an oath to him, shortly after we both turned and after we learned about oaths. I swore- I told him that I would never abandon him and that I would stay with him. So that's why I attacked him. I packed and prepared everything I needed while Richard was out. Then, when he came back, I attacked him in order to be able to extract a favor under the Codes of Conduct. And I asked that he release me from my oath. Then I, I stabbed him enough to kill, temporarily, so I'd have time to get away. And I left, and I came here.”

He could feel the Oath relax on him. He had told the whole story. It was done. “I'm sorry,” he murmured. He wasn't sure what he was apologizing for, exactly, but maybe it would make Crowhurst less angry at him.

[Theo Crowhurst]

Portnoy continued, even as his nerves seemed to get the better of him, dipping into a mumble as he kept going. Theo could hear it, so he didn't tell the man to speak up, even if it was at the tip of his tongue. It wasn't the moment for it, as Theo puffed his cigarette and frowned out towards the ocean as he listened carefully.

As the story reached its logical end, Portnoy revealed himself to have been calculating enough to plan an escape carefully. Getting free of the influence behind an oath was undoubtedly important–it seemed the start of it all, even if it might've been done in misguided loyalty. It had laid the groundwork for everything that happened after, perhaps even Portnoy's disordered thinking around his brother, to tolerate it all.

The apology got a disgruntled look out of Theo, and the Englishman reached out to clap the vampire on the shoulder. A casual and roughly friendly gesture, common enough in pubs all over England and no doubt in America too. “Don't. Your cunt of a brother deserved what he got. Save your sorries for when you fuck up; I'll accept it then.”

Although, perhaps the fuck up was that Portnoy didn't hack off his brother's head and throw it in the Hudson. With that thought, Theo flicked the butt of his cigarette towards the ocean.

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb flinched badly as he saw the hand coming for him but he didn't move out of the way and even offered a shaky smile. “Sor- Okay,” he said, quickly keeping himself from apologizing for apologizing. He didn't know what to do with Crowhurst's words beyond that so he set them to the side to think about later.

Slowly, he dropped his arms to his sides and looked out at the dark water. Dredging up what composure he could, he asked “So, what now?”

[Theo Crowhurst]

Theo huffed a sardonic laugh as Portnoy cut off another sorry, dropping the hand from the vampire's shoulder. Instead, Theo brought it up rub his chin as he smiled reluctantly. A little stiff considering the circumstances, but honest enough. He'd learnt much about the man tonight. Much of it was ridiculously tragic and highlighted how villains could hide under any shiny veneer. The habit of apologising for something he had nothing to do with was another small quirk Portnoy had and possibly something Theo would simply have to contend with, as regrettable as that habit was.

“What now?” Theo echoed, his tone dry as he tucked his hands into his pockets, looking at Portnoy. “Nothing. Keep working at Lethe. The Matron seems to like you. No one else knows your connection to New York, and I'm bloody well not telling.”

Someone might find out later, but now Theo knew, and knowledge was half the battle. It wouldn't catch him unawares if someone came asking for Portnoy.

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb slumped in place with a sigh. Everything was, somehow, still okay. “Alright. Thank you, Mr. Crowhurst.” He rubbed the back of his head, thinking everything over. There wasn't much else to do. What he was so afraid of had happened, but Crowhurst wasn't going to tell anyone. Though that brought up one last question.

“No one else has access to the report from New York?” he clarified. He felt hope fluttering in his chest. He might be able to relax, to stop trying to hide. There were a few concerns left over, mostly regarding Casi and Asphodel, but those would be far easier to handle.

[Theo Crowhurst]

“I didn't pass this on to anyone else, and I'll get rid of the report once I get back to the office,” Theo offered. Going primarily analogue did help because they didn't leave much of a digital trail, so it was easy to shuffle this report away and pretend it never crossed his desk. “But if he sent it to me, he also sent it to other Inquisitors. I doubt they'd mark it as urgent–it was carefully worded enough not to get you killed.”

It might fade into obscurity with luck. Coburn had done Portnoy a favour in that sense, considering the twisting phrasing was enough to convey it wasn't an active threat while also barely hiding there was more to it for anyone who knew what to look for.

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb looked away, swallowing as guilt hit him. Richard wrote the report to avoid him being killed. Even after everything Caleb did to him, Richard still wanted him. They were supposed to be standing by each other for eternity. Richard was always the person who cared for him the most. And Caleb literally stabbed him in the heart.

It would have been so easy for Richard to send out word that he was a dangerous rogue vampire. But he didn't. He knew there were good reasons he left but it was hard to place much weight on those against the reminder of the depth of their relationship.

“Th-thank you, again,” he stammered, his voice dropping to an uncertain murmur. “I'm not currently planning to leave Easthaven, so I think it should be fine.” His eyes were glued to the ground.

[Theo Crowhurst]

Portnoy was getting a little strange again, going quiet and uncertain even as he stated he wasn't leaving Easthaven. Theo wondered why but knew he had little hope of understanding whatever unravelling psychology centuries of abuse could cause. It wasn't his to figure out, ultimately.

“You'll do alright, Portnoy,” Theo said, the affirming words delivered rather gruffly in tune with Theo's usual. He clapped Portnoy on the shoulder again, ignoring the earlier flinch from the man. “It took a lot of bottle to get away from entrapment and torture. Keep it up.”

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb looked up, tensing a little at the touch to his shoulder before he relaxed. He met Crowhurst's eyes, searching them for honesty. He seemed sincere.

But, entrapment and torture? Did those words really describe his situation? Objectively, it seemed to fit, but it still felt wrong to think of it like that. It was so confusing trying to unravel everything.

After a long moment, Caleb lowered his gaze and offered a smile. “Thanks,” he said. “I'll try. It's a difficult adjustment. There are... so many thoughts and beliefs in my head that I'm starting to realize might not make sense, but it's hard to figure out...”

[Third on the Match]

Sirens

DC 4

Intent
Hostile

Keywords
Sound/Song, Water

Cinder 7d6

Strike 6d6

Luck 4

As they stand upon this perch so dreary, Theo hears 'pon the breeze a song that makes him oh-so-weary.

In the distance, further down the seawall, they hear the fluting charms of siren song, and the chatter, whoops, and hollers of young teenaged boys. There are a few catcalls. Then, there is laughter, feminine and bright, followed by a loud yelp and a splash. Someone has gone into the water.

When the pair arrives at the dim scene, they find a tiny marina mainly meant for tour boats and water taxis. They'll see the young men trying to retrieve their friend from the coiled tail of a beautiful siren woman. They're not making any headway, but they've managed to stop her from getting away by catching her tail in a boat rope. One of the young men is wading in with a baseball bat to save his friend, but the pier is groaning under strain.

[Theo Crowhurst]

Strike (Exchange Eq.) 6 passes vs. DC4, hit
Siren Cinder (Song) 5 passes vs. DC3, hit
Theo Cinder (Resist Siren's song) 6 passes vs. 5 passes, successful

Theo inclined his head in understanding even if he didn't understand Portnoy's specific situation. There was enough for him to be sympathetic to the situation, so much so that he opened his mouth to suggest the man find a therapist to deal with it. He was interrupted by the spectacle up ahead as it rose in pitch, finally catching Theo's attention. There was a moment where he thought the two sounds–the Siren's song and the teenagers–were separate, turning to listen and pinpoint which direction they were each coming from.

But then he heard the yelp and the splash, with the responding laughter of a siren who no doubt thought she had a meal in hand. Theo let out a vicious curse, starting towards the sound at a run without saying much at all to Portnoy. He'd tangled with sirens enough to say he did not want these rowdy teenagers to get turned into a snack by one. He didn't have any control over what they did outside the city, but keeping harbourside deaths down was in his general interest, never mind a public service to the poor bastards who thought a nighttime stroll was a good idea at all.

Theo did not call behind to Portnoy, assuming the man would follow or watch at his leisure, instead focused on the outline of the marina, the lampposts only offering a dim view of the scene. A man in the water, a siren trying her best to drag him down with her, and his mates doing some quick thinking.

The scene looked grim, the sea not ideal for a fight, but the weight of Theo's pistols in his shoulder holsters reminded him that he had one solution to the whole mess. Lucky he'd left the sword at the office, or else he'd look a right plonker waving the thing around.

He reached the stairs leading down to the pier, taking it two steps at a time and hoping none of them were slippery; Theo managed to cross the distance without much time being lost. He grabbed the front of the rope and gave a great heave along with the men, pulling the Siren and her quarry close enough for the kid with a bat to get a strike in. The Siren flinched, her grip loosening on the man, but she let out another haunting bar of notes and song that Theo felt crawling over his mind.

It felt like his grip might loosen on the rope for a moment, but then the splash of her fin in the water sprayed some bracing saltwater in his face, and Theo shook off the effects, although many of the men weren't as lucky. The rope slackened alarmingly, and Theo considered pulling his gun.

Theo Luck 4/5
Siren Luck 3/4

[Caleb Portnoy]

Cinder (Hypnosis) 1 pass
Siren Cinder (Resist Hypnosis) 1 pass, successful
Siren Cinder (Song) 5 passes vs DC4, hit
Caleb Cinder (Resist Siren's song) 4 passes vs 5 passes, failure

Caleb heard the sounds before Crowhurst did with his sharper ears. He tilted his head as Crowhurst opened his mouth, trying to place the sounds. Some young men and a song that was familiar... But what was it?

Then came the splash and the yelp. Crowhurst took off. Caleb at least knew this was a problem, even though he still couldn't remember what that song meant. So he took after Crowhurst, straining to see what was happening. When he was close enough, he gasped as he realized the song came from a siren. That was a problem.

Caleb dashed onto the pier, almost skidding but managing to right himself in time. Crowhurst had grabbed the rope, and had it for at least the current moment, even if the young men looked dazed. Something like adrenaline pumping through him, Caleb considered his options.

Well there was one option that might end this quickly, although it often didn't work against other supernatural beings. It was worth a shot though.

“Hey!” Caleb yelled, staring at the siren. The siren met his eyes and he caught their gaze. His voice took on an odd tone. “Let that man go.” The attempt felt weak, but as he broke his gaze, the siren seemed to relax slightly. He felt hope surge for a moment before the siren bared its teeth at him and renewed its struggles, singing out once again.

Caleb blinked several times, swaying on his feet. The melody crawled in his ears to wrap around his brain. He took a shaky step forward, then another, his thoughts lost behind a net of sound. It was nice, not having to think. He teetered on the edge of the dock, a step away from the water.

Caleb Luck 3/4
Siren Luck 3/4

[Theo Crowhurst]

Strike (Exchange Eq.) 2 passes vs. DC4, miss
Siren Cinder (Song) 4 passes vs. DC3, hit
Theo Cinder (Resist) 2 passes vs. 4 passes, failure

Although the Siren had flinched, she wasn't letting go of her catch. The tail was still wrapped around the kid, even when some of his friends scrambled down to grab his arms and try to pull him out of the water. Portnoy had run onto the pier not long after Theo, although the vampire stuck to shouting rather than joining in on the gaggle of teens and one man pulling at the rope. Perhaps wise since it didn't seem to have brought them any closer to chasing her off.

Although, with her song, even as Theo shook it off, he noted Portnoy standing stock still, as if under a geas, but had no time to pay it any mind as he reached for his pistol. He let go of the rope, letting the teens take it. It took barely a moment, Theo well trained and used to drawing from his shoulder holster and levelling the pistol on the Siren.

The SIG Sauer wasn't loaded with anything special, just ordinary bullets, but had he had the time, Theo would've taken care to transform the casings into sky iron to make all of this easier for them. He had to go the old-fashioned way tonight, aiming at the woman down the pistol's sights. He fired, but her large tail lashed out at that moment and rocked the pier, setting his aim off, and the bullet hit the water just by her torso.

She let out an unpleasant cackle, mocking him for the miss, before she tipped her head back and sang again, powerful and ethereal. This time, the aural manipulation took root in Theo's head, his arms slack and the tip of the pistol tipping downwards. There was a voice in his head shouting up a storm, but outwardly Theo felt docile. The gun was suddenly not all that important.

Theo Luck 3/5
Siren Luck 3/4

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb Strike (revolver) 6 passes vs DC4, success
Siren Cinder (Song) 6 passes vs DC4, success
Caleb Cinder (Resist) 3 passes vs 6 passes, failure

The crack of a gunshot managed to shake Caleb from his stupor. He scrambled back from the edge, pulling out his small revolver as his breathing picked up. This was dangerous. He managed to get off a shot, the bullet landing in the creature's hip, but mere moments after its screech of pain, its song picked back up. Caleb whimpered, his grip on his gun loosening and his eyes glazing over. He walked forward, one step, two, then stumbled at the edge. He didn't even cry out as he fell into the water with a splash.

He couldn't focus enough to tell what had happened after he got his shot off, but dark blood now stained the water. The shot had made the siren's tail spasm and loosen. The interruption in its song had allowed the young man with the bat to pull his friend free, although they were no where near out of the woods yet. The siren kept singing, trying to lure its prey back to it.

Caleb Luck 2/4
Siren Luck 2/4

[Theo Crowhurst]

Theo Strike (Exchange Eq.) 4 passes vs. DC4, hit
Siren Cinder (Song) 7 passes vs. DC3, hit
Theo Cinder (Resist) 1 pass vs. 7 passes, failure

Another gunshot and the song stuttered enough that Theo's grip tightened on his pistol, and he straightened his arms again. Even when she'd gotten hit, the Siren was hard to discourage, still trying to sing. Before Theo thought about it, he aimed quickly and squeezed the trigger, the feeling of the recoil pushing against his palm already feeling distant as the notes of the song curled around his mind.

The Siren jolted back under the impact of the 9mm bullet, her song choking off as she splashed in the water furiously. Thankfully, the kid was getting pulled out of the water, away from the thrashing tail and the potential danger. Theo felt his arms going slack again, pistol dropping by his side, and he took a step towards the pier's edge but didn't step off it yet.

Only a distant part of him was aware of Portnoy being in the water, but that part was loud and angry in his clouded head. Nothing showing outwardly, as the Siren bared sharp pointed teeth, furiously hungry for whatever she could get her hands on.

Theo Luck 2/4
Siren Luck 1/4

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb Strike (revolver), 5 passes vs DC4, success
Siren Cinder (song), 3 passes vs DC 4

Caleb nearly dropped his gun into the water when the crack of a bullet sounded behind him. But he grabbed onto it and lifted it up, thankful that the water was still shallow enough to stand and praying that his revolver would still work even after being submerged. The siren bared its teeth at him through its song, but Caleb's terror was loud enough to keep him in the moment. He squeezed the trigger, flinching back at the recoil and the loud sound.

His bullet hit the siren in the face. It screeched, making the vampire wince back, but its thrashing quickly stilled as still more blood stained the water like ink.

Caleb staggered back through the water, the sight of the siren's ruined face making him queasy. Then he remembered his companion and looked back. “Mr. Crowhurst, are you alright?” he called.

Caleb Luck 2/4
Siren Luck 0/4

[Theo Crowhurst]

The final gunshot was loud and final, the song cutting off, the Siren slipping into the dark waters to disappear underneath, and the heavy weight of her tail dragging her down. She'd be eaten by her brethren or something else in the harbour, so Theo wasn't too worried. It was rare that a body washed up intact, so Theo wasn't too concerned with the disposal of the body. A monster preying on humans had been dealt with, and that was the long and short of it.

And as the Siren slipped beneath the surface, Theo's mind snapped back to clarity just in time for Portnoy to call. And the idiot used Theo's name in front of mundie witnesses. “Shut your gob, mate. Keep your mind on where we are,” he groused, irritated chiefly because of the Siren yanking him around by his brain. It was a slip-up from Portnoy, but ultimately Theo wasn't too worried if his name was attached to some teenagers crying about wet fish women dragging a kid into the river. It'd get dismissed as a wild story.

Speaking of the teens, they were already scrambling up the steps of the pier up onto the seawall, unintelligibly shouting as they made a hasty retreat. Whatever story they told, no one would believe them, so Theo gave a heavy shrug and holstered his pistol.

“Let's get you out of the drink,” Theo said, gruff but shaking off the irritation of dealing with the Sirens, reaching down to take Portnoy's hand and yank him out of the water.

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb cringed back at the anger, muttering a quick “Sorry.” But he took the offered hand and scrambled up onto the docks.

He worked to try to wring the water out of his clothes, with little success. “This is why I was never a field agent,” he muttered. He kept one eye on the retreating young men, but figured it would be fine.

Once he gave up on getting any more water off himself, he looked at Crowhurst again. “Sorry,” he repeated. He felt certain that he had messed up somehow, although he wasn't sure exactly how, beyond using Crowhurst's name.

[Theo Crowhurst]

Theo huffed a humourless laugh, pulling Portnoy out of the water with a grunt but leaving him to shake out the water. It looked like a sopping wet walk home was waiting for the man, and Theo didn't envy him. He'd done the same himself once, dragged into the water and barely getting out.

“Well, if you ever find yourself tangled up in something like this, keep names out of it, alright, mate?” Theo clapped Portnoy on the shoulder again, showing no harm, no foul, even if Theo was an ornery fellow. “It makes dodging the police a little easier if they don't have names. However, I don't think they'll take those drunk teenagers too seriously.”

[Caleb Portnoy]

Caleb nodded with a shaky breath out. “Alright, I'll keep that in mind. I should have remembered it but my head still felt all mixed up, honestly. Sorry.” There were similar rules in New York, but Caleb seldom went into the field.

The vampire, looking very much like a drowned cat, offered a sheepish smile. “Well... I guess we're done here? I should get home.”

[Theo Crowhurst]

Theo huffed another laugh, more genuine than the last, as he gave Portnoy's sopping-wet clothing a look. “Yes, you should,” he intoned before adding dryly, “You won't catch your death, but you'll probably regret it if you linger. I need to handle a little clean-up, but I might see you around, Portnoy.”

Giving Portnoy a little two-fingered salute, Theo looked at the pier, seeing the splashed water and the scattered objects. The unwound rope and the discarded baseball bat. Better to get rid of it before someone wondered what had happened.