Veilguard came out today so if I am a bit scarce that's why. Apologies in advance, ha

Ah, mortals! The night of shadows and fire approaches! A time when the veil is thinner than gossamer, and those of you with even a sliver of wonder in your hearts may feel the chill of the Otherworld. It's no trick—tonight, I roam among you, mingling in the shadows and savoring the whispers and laughter of the living as you walk my path of night.

To each of you who offers treats, dons masks, or lights a candle for the spirits, know that I am with you, grinning from the shadows, watching with ageless eyes. Perhaps tonight, as you revel under the twilight, you’ll feel my presence in the rustling of leaves or the flicker of a candle flame.

Be merry, celebrate, and may your Halloween be as deliciously haunted as a spirit could hope for. And remember… there's no escape from the spirit of Samhain! Not tonight.

Happy Halloween, you delightful creatures of shadow and light!

-S

Now, if your character was going to a Halloween party, what costume would they wear?

The only thing keeping Nox from freaking the fuck out was the tiny one day old child strapped to his chest. People looked at him oddly as he carried the tiny baby around in a sling wrap, but Nox really didn't care. Though they were more or less staring at the missing arm as he paced the rows of the terminal they waited. They had arrived way too early. Nox's idea. He had to wrap his head around getting on a fucking plane.

Sage watched him from his seat. He looked as high as ever, and he knew he was busy doing a billion things in his head. When Sage found out he'd busted his arm he got this radical grin on his face that said he was going to use Nox for yet another test of something. Nox didn't mind -- it was afterall their entire relationship.

But Sage was a good friend and he'd set everything up. First class tickets so Nox wouldn't freak out with space. And their undisclosed friend would meet them at the airport.

Nox had gotten a text from Anna about a person claiming to be his brother. Sage had latched on to that quickly and was running facial recognition and pulling up everything and anything about the so-called brother. Not possible but still it was entertaining none-the-less and it kept Sage busy. But that wasn't the only strange thing that happened while he paced -- he received a strange call from a person everyone thought was dead.  Sage was all up in that one too.  He had so much going on Nox wondered how he managed to keep it straight, he was having a hard time not hyper focusing on the plane they were about to get on. Thankfully there was Lily.

Sterlilng had stopped by before he left and met the rest of the crew. She was excited to have more kids her age around, and Liv could show her how to heal. And they got discussing all sorts of things and they were both excited to learn new things. Liam looked sad but whenever he saw Nox looking at him he smiled shyly. Nox was pretty sure the kid had a crush on him. But they could deal with that later.  Who doesn't adore their knight in shining armor. Nox had saved his life quite literally from the sounds of the story he told. Nox was more than happy to be a friend to that one. He understood it far more than anyone else ever would.

Sterling had also brought the original Lily back and Nox was planning a fountain for the lotus in his room. He wished for his hoodie but he didn't know where to find Raffe, he'd taken a leave and hadn't been back to the club in a while.  Nox wasn't sure what happened to either gift he'd left, he hadn't asked and he hadn't bothered to look in Raffe's old room either. It was too sad.  

There wasn't much to do other than pace and wait until their flight was called.  And think -- way too much time to think.

Since we have a PC Emergency Services provider - I though you guys should know the number for Emergency Services on FA (I may or may not have been rewatching this show and have this stuck in my head :-p)

Marisol woke up. No - not awake. She was asleep and this place was a dream. A very realistic dream, but a dream nonetheless. Realistic enough that she could die here. At least, Marisol thought she could. Her broken arm as a girl was testament to the fact that she could get hurt here.

Marisol hated it here. It was so creepy. Everything was still and quiet. It reminded her of that old horror movie where they couldn’t talk at all because the monsters hunted by sound. And the light source wasn’t a sun or lamp. There was just sort of an ambient light that lit everything. And no matter what, Marisol felt like she was being watched. 

She was in her apartment building - some dream semblence of it. Her apartment itself was actually only an empty space without furniture and everything was insanely clean. She wasn’t a slob by any means, but still this just made the place seem even more empty. If she wasn’t going to have weird dreams why couldn’t they at least include a cute guy to give her a massage or something. 

”Christ, I haven’t even been on a date in years,” she said, her voice seeming to echo in the silence. 

It was a true statement. Marisol had been focused on her career. So much so, that she had been promoted to detective quickly and sworn in only last night. She was currently trying to sleep off the drinks from the bar that her coworkers had taken her out for to celebrate. Even at the bar she couldn’t find a man to have a drink with. Being one of a few women who were involved in law enforcement, she had been well protected last night. Maybe next time she’d ask one of them to be a wingman. 

Her thoughts came back to where she was and looking down she noticed her outfit changing constantly from a patrol uniform to a detective’s suit, complete with badge and sidearm. Marisol closed her eyes and thought for a bit, and upon opening them she saw herself in jeans and a light blue t-shirt. Marisol then headed outside here apartment, making her way to the street. Occasionally a neighbor would pop briefly into her dream and then disappear. At one time that startled her.  She’d rather be sleeping than here, but she was here and these dreams had to mean something. Perhaps she’d spend a bit of time here before “going back to her body.” These dreams had been her companion for so long. They had to mean something.

Marisol Guerro

Age: 24

Origin: Moscow

Occupation: CCDPD Detective

Psychological Description:  Kind and sweet - fiercely loyal to her police brothers and sisters - Very by the book as a cop - following those in authority.  Eager to please. She is intelligent and promoted fast - a promotion she was not sure she was ready for (she is actually capable) but this sometimes causes her to second guess her decisions

Physical Description:  5’6” dark hair, hazel eyes. Thin with a runner’s build

Supernatural Abilities: Dreamwalker with the ability to learn to channel

Biography:

Marisol was born to Fernando and Alejandra Guerro in Havana, Cuba in 2022.  The couple had trouble conceiving and finally had their miracle baby.  Concerned with the state of the world at that time and wanting to raise their child in a stable environment, her parents made the decision to immigrate to Russia - the place in the world that seemed the most stable. 
Marisol grew up in Moscow, and had a happy childhood.  Her parents were lower middle-class, but they always made do.  Her father would work extra hours or her mother would sell crafts around Marisol’s birthday and Christmas to get her a special gift.  Even if her friends got more than she did, she never felt jealous of this, knowing her parent’s gifts always came from the heart.

As a teenager, Marisol began to have strange dreams. The first time she entered the World of Dreams was at the age of thirteen.  She knew this place was different from other dreams.  The light in it seemed eerie.  Her clothing kept changing on her.  It was eerily quiet.  This place scared her.  In fear, she ran, not knowing why.  There was nothing to run from, but as she ran, she tripped and fell, breaking her arm on a rock. This woke her up screaming.  Her parents came to her bedroom to see their daughter on the floor, holding a broken arm.  They took her to the hospital, but could never get an answer from her as to what happened.  Marisol always told them she didn’t know, afraid that if her parents found out, they’d think she was crazy.

As her teenage years went on, Marisol learned more about this dream world. The most important parts were how to leave it and how to keep herself from getting her.  She can maintain her own image, and remember she is in a dream, but the opportunities she has with her abilities have escaped her knowledge.

At sixteen, Marisol was looking at a photo album and ran across a picture of a man in a policeman’s uniform.  When Marisol asked about it, her father told her that it was his father, Pedro, and told her stories of his exploits as a cop in Havana.  Marisol was inspired by these stories and made the decision to go to Police Academy after school.  At 18, she enrolled, and joined the CCDPD as a patrolwoman.  Very intelligent and quick at putting puzzles together, she excelled.  At the age of 24, she was offered a promotion to Detective.  Without thinking, she took the position, but now that she has it, she is uncertain if she should have.  She feels she may have been promoted too fast, and her confidence has suffered. Embarrassed to bring this up to her Captain, she has not done so, instead she is continuing to try her best.

((OoC - things to know about the hall - it's pretty much the same as most - several round tables where guests can find their seats by a placard with their name on them.  The tables are split into two groups, with a dance floor set in the middle.  A head table sits at the front of the room for the bridal party. Behind the head table are three candles - one in the middle, larger than the two, and two at the sides. Two family tables sit in front of those.  Two of the family seats have a bouquet of flowers instead of just placards.  If you read those placards they have the names "Martin Shale" and "Victoria Shale" on them. The DJ is off to the right side of the room as you face the head table, and a gift table is on the other side of the room across from it.  There are some gifts on the table as well as a locked donation box with enveloped next to it for donations to the Orphan Project - details would have been sent in your invites!))

Emily laughed as they rode in the limosine to the reception hall.  The entire bridal party sat in the vehicle, flutes of champagne as they toasted the happy couple.  The invitations had provided directions to the reception venue so that while they were getting pictures, their guests could head to the reception.  Emily, always the planner, had thought ahead as much as she could.  The DJ was already set up, and had arrived before the guests.  Games, toys, coloring books, and tablets had been provided so that children could be entertained.  Wait staff was there providing hors d'oeuvres and drinks.  Rachel had sent a message to the DJ that they would be there soon.  The DJ would relay that to the guests so they could get settled.

The party lined up at the door to the reception all, the lights had been dimmed but not shut off.  A spot light would show each couple of the bridal party as they were announced and entered the hall.  Finally only the Best Man, Maid of Honor, Groom, and Bride remained. "Ladies and Gentlemen, your Best Man and Maid of Honor - Mr. Jeremy Areson and Ms. Rachel Shale! A few moments passed before the DJ continued. "And now, for the first time as a couple, Mr. Jared Vanders and Mrs. Emily Shale-Vanders!"

They entered arm's intertwined. Emily was all smiles.  Upon reaching the table, they stopped. "You sure you want to do this?" Jared asked quietly.

"Why not, it will be fun!" Emily said, smiling.

The couple separted, Jared going to the right and Emily to the left.  They held hands until the last moment, only releasing with reluctance despite the short amount of time the two would be separted. Emily took her spot by her candle and turned to face Jared at the other one.  Since they had gotten together, Emily had changed.  She had truly embraced her magic for the first time.  They had practiced together often and she found a joy in this gift that she had never felt before.  Emily smiled at Jared. He had described his magic to her.  Whereas she surrendered to it, he likened it to wrestling a demon cobra to the ground. But one thing they knew.  He would know when she held her power.  That was their signal to begin.  She surrendered to her power and embraced it.

Cor sat as his desk.  It had been a long night.  The call for the fire at the Blackthorn Mansion had gone out, but by the time they had arrived on scene, nothing but a pile of rubble existed.  Their response time had been stellar.  They had simply gotten the call too late to do anything.

"Mornin' Cor," Cor turned to see Jim Goodman standing at the door, his lead fire investigator.  

"Mornin' Jim.  Please tell me you have good news for me," Cor said, stifling a yawn.

"Good news, not really, but I do have coffee," Jim responded, placing a cup in front of the Fire Chief.

"Fucking close enough," Cor responded, taking a long sip as Jim placed the file on the desk. " You know, my predecessor told me that anytime you had an investigation, you brought him coffee in the morning.  It's the sole reason you still have your job! Cor gave him a wry smile, before becoming serious and opening the file. "What have we got here?"

"Not much - the entire structure was destroyed, but I was able to gain a little bit.  Checked the CCTV, all cameras went out in the area about a half hour before you guys got the call - the structure wasn't on fire at that time - at least, not externally - but I saw no signs of an internal fire either."

Cor narrowed his eyes. "House had to be built - what - 1960s or 70s.  Pre-synthetic everything.  House that size wouldn't go up that fast. Even if it was newer. Maybe fully involved, but nowhere near that amount of damage. And the camera's going out - was that a localized event?

Jim nodded, "From what I can tell, yeah. I'm 99% sure this wasn't an accident - and the only reason i say 99 is because they told me in academy to never say you're 100% on anything.

Cor nodded, taking a long sip of his drink. "What about the fire spread - any idea how it could have spread that fast."

"Never seen anything like it - well maybe once.  Military guys showed me how much damage a flamethrower could do."

"You think the arson used a flamethrower?" Cor sounded skeptical.

Jim chuckled. "Not at all - there were no traces of any accelerant found."

"You're fucking kidding me!?

Jim shook his head. "Nope - fire burned hot and it burned fast - it was hot enough that all the bodies found were just skeletons."

"Shit!" Cor said, running his hand through his hair. Any theories?"

"Probably multiple ignition sources - looking at a team of arsonist setting off fires in multiple rooms at once.  It's a shakey one, but it's all I got."

"You're talking multiple flashpoints occuring simultaneously - I'm not even sure that's possible.  There'd be way too many factors involved.  There... his voice trailed off, as a thought occured to him.

"Whacha thinking, Cor?"

"What if we're looking at our first case of a channeler arsonist? You have any idea what they can do fire wise?"

"Not a clue - we have no data, so this is just a hunch? Cor nodded. "A good hunch, I'd say - more likely that my idea.  We sending this to CCDPD?"

Cor nodded. "Yeah - all evidence we do have points to this being planned - at least most of it.  This is now a crime - which means it's out of our hands.  Send the report - ignition source inconclusive, but definitely arson. Our theories will be on the report?"

"I'll include them - you want them both?"

Cor nodded. "Might as well - as always PD will have our full cooperation and if they need any of our resources - just ask."

Jim nodded, waiting for Cor to sign the report before taking it. "You got it Chief!"

Jim left, leaving Cor with his coffee.  He finisehd the cup.  All this channeling bullshit had the potential to change fire fighting more than they had seen in decades.  Cor began to formulate a plan - he needed to know what they could do - both as arsons and as fire fighters.

Cormac "Cor" Halcyon

Age: 46

Origin: Moscow

Occupation: Moscow Fire Chief

Pyschological Description:  Having spent most of his life training for emergency situations, Cor works well under pressure. Seeing a lot of people in trauma situations has led him to have a dark sense of humor.

Physical Description:  He is 5’9” tall with blonde hair.  One eye is blue and the other green (Heterochromia).

Biography:

For as long as he could remember, Cor had been interested in fire.  He spent a good deal of his youth going to fire stations and talking to the fire fighters there.  They taught him and he was a natural.  His family members would soon find him pointing out potential fire hazards in the house, and they never had to worry about changing the batteries in their detectors.  He always did it for them.

Naturally, when he became of age, the fire department recruited him as a cadet. Cor studied hard learning not only fire suppression and rescue tactics, but emergency medical training as well.  As soon as he was eighteen, he was signed up as a paid on-call firefighter, entered the fire academy and began EMT training. By twenty-one, he was hired as a full-time firefighter/paramedic at the Moscow Fire Department. He served eventually reaching the rank of Captain.

In October of 2046, the current Chief decided to retire, and at the encouragement of his fire brothers, Cor applied for the position.  In November of 2046, he was offered and accepted the position of Moscow Fire Department Chief.

Cor is married to Anya Halcyon and they have two children: a daughter named Kimberly (18) and a son named Jack (15)

*****

“I will never allow personal feelings, nor danger to self, deter me from my responsibilities as Fire Chief; I will at all times respect the property and rights of all men and women, the laws of my country, and the members I serve with; I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith and trust, and I accept so long as I am true to the ethics of the fire service; I do solemnly swear that I have all of the qualifications required of my position and I accept this self-imposed and self-enforced obligation as my responsibility and make these promises so solemnly, freely, and upon my honor.”

Cor finished his oath of office, accepting the badge to applause. He was directed to the podium where the applause died down and he began to speak.

“I’m not one for speech making, so I will keep this brief.  I’m honored to be here in front of you all today.  It has been a pleasure to serve the community of Moscow and to do what I can to prevent bad situations from happening and when that was not possible, to prevent them from becoming worse. I will be honest and say that when I began my career as a firefighter, I never expected this day.  But to have my colleagues encourage me in this and to have the support of the community and the Government of Moscow means a lot to me.
Moscow Fire Department has a long standing tradition of excellence in the community, and my promise to you is that this will not change under my leadership.  As a department, we will continue to train, innovate, and work hand in hand with other branches of emergency services.  Thank you for this honor, and thank you for your time.”