The Found Arcana – Chapter 6 [IC], Continuation of https://www.rpgplayroom.net/forums/topic/the-found-arc Options

[Jack_Spade]

The woman looked up, almost shocked that the silence of the library was broken. Her large brown eyes had a haunted look, but she smiled a genuine smile when she realized what AM had asked.
"Thank you, yes I'm fine. I hope I didn't startle you, but reading Camilo Jose Cela is always so engrossing for me, that I forget everything around me.
Do you like to read?"

[Tecumseh]

"Fists and feet," Mato says. "Knees and elbows.

"But I like batons too." He grabs a couple, trying to get a feel for their weight and balance.

The fact that he's wearing a training uniform while Chan doesn't is curious. He's tempted to take his robe off, but he remembers Brad's warning about a pounding. Plus, if he wears it, it gives her some cover, in the sense of allowing her to save face in case Mato gets lucky. She could point to it as an unfair advantage.

He doesn't do anything fancier with the batons that a simple little twirl, twisting them around his wrists before returning them to an upright position. He settles into a stance which he thinks is from Okichitaw, but he doesn't really know. His instructors had shown him a mish-mash of fighting styles and stances, never really differentiating one from another. One of these days he might want to iron out which is which, but for now his immediate goal is to keep all his teeth.

[Gilga]

AM responds truthfully. "I used to read a lot of fiction when I was younger and imagine all the places I couldn't see. I like thrillers, and detective stories. It kept me sane growing up as we could not afford much activities. I read a lot nowadays, but I mostly do professional and research oriented scripts rather than fiction. What is Camilo Jose Cela's writing like?"

[Jack_Spade]

The woman smiled again: "Gross, brutal, disgusting and yet witty and endearing. He supported a fascist regime and was yet one of the authors of a new democratic government. He writes about what it is to be human like few others. Here."
She reached into a different section of the library and produced a paper book - this time in English: The Hive.
"Keep it. Maybe you can find your love for other books again."

At that moment AM became aware of a second presence in the room. It was as if the large woman was stepping from thin air - but more likely that her RP-cloak around her shoulders had kept her hidden until now.
She was tall, broad shouldered and cybered to the nines - even a novice could have seen, that the chrome on her was of the highest quality, replacing both legs and arms. Her dark eyes were entirely artificial, but her gaze spoke volumes. Most to the effect of: "Go away, go away fast or I'll crush you for getting near my charge."

[Jack_Spade]

Mato got only a nod from her as Chan moved gracefully as a dancer onto the matt and took a ready stance.
"On three. One, two," She exploded into movement barely that the syllable three had passed her lips.

[ Spoiler ]

Ini:Ini: 16+4d6 31
She feints with her first attack: Feint: 18d6t5 5

[Gilga]

AM responds "This is very kind of you, thank you." she says, and places the book in the case of her Erika. I am looking forward to reading it. she responds.

When the bodyguard steps out of thin air, she is not entirely surprised as it was very likely that the duchess would have some security - being well a duchess. Yet, knowing that she was there and actually seeing the menacing woman are different things. She shivers for a moment, despite herself, but maintains her inner peace - the woman is not there to harm her, and AM definitely means no harm to the duchess. She glances at the woman, and then at the duchess saying "Oh, I did not mean to make your bodyguard uncomfortable, I am Emma by the way. I'll be off to my day-job now... Got to keep this place at top condition for your wedding. She said grinning at the duchess, and avoiding the ice cold look of the woman. AM leaves the library, and does not let her guard down until she is out of the library and away from that terrible lady.

[ Spoiler ]

Since I imagine it as a terrifying situation: I rolled some dice to see how brave she would act.
Composure: 10d6t5 4

[Tecumseh]

Chan feints, but Mato doesn't fall for it. He's amped up and his adrenaline is flowing. His footwork dances around in a circle, avoiding the feint and putting him in the perfect position for a counterattack.

THERE!! he thinks, spotting the perfect opening, one that would surely be a knockout blow if only he were using his fists. But, alas, the batons are ultimately clumsy weapons, and by the time the baton arrives at its destination the opening has closed. Chan deflects the blow and resumes her assault.

One two three one two three! The batons CLACK CLACK CLACK against each other as Mato backpedals away from her furious counterattack. He didn't expect her to be shy, but nor had he expected her to be fighting so closely in. He presumed she would circle the perimeter and use her speed to strike, but instead she's pushing the pace.

Spying a break in the action, Mato swings, but it's at an awkward awkward angle and unlikely to hit. It would likely connect with a ganger or street punk, but a trained adept should avoid it with ease.

[Beta]

"Thank you." Jawsey puts some genuine warmth into his voice, not just pro forma politeness. Then he confides "I've not actually been to my room yet, but I presume someone will tell me where it is eventually? Judging by the rest of this place I imagine it will be more than fine, but thank you, I'll reach out to you if anything is amiss."

Dropping his voice a bit, he adds "And if I understand things properly, part of my job is to be looking for things that are amiss. If anything, or anyone, seems amiss to you, please let me know. I'm no mighty mage striking fear into all before me, but I can make a pretty effective guardian a--" He is interrupted by the door opening for their next stop. More briskly he concludes "Please call me Johnny."

[ Spoiler ]

con: 14d6t5 3 IC pitched to show the mediocre job at getting into her confidence

He thinks Well, that could have gone better. I'm not used to having to do Elevator Pitches!

[Jack_Spade]

An attack so clumsy, that even a novice could have done better...
The funny thing was: Master of martial arts often feared the novice more than other masters, because other professionals are predictable, while novices running on pure instinct can at times do something totally stupid and succeed.

Mato's move was just that: Deceptively slow and clumsy. But his shiny chrome limbs not only looked totally rad but also packed the approximate force of jack hammers on nitroxide. The tip of the baton did just a bit more than graze her upper arm... and with an ugly crack the arm just broke.
Blood spurted and bone showed.
Chan went white from one second to the other and stumbled backward. She kept upright though - barely. Instinctively she wanted to bring both her weapons forward, but only one of her arms followed and she almost lost her footing.

"M...Medic..." She croaked, while her eyes threatened to turn up into her skull.


Jawsey meanwhile found himself at the receiving end of a piercing stare and a brittle smile:
"You can call me Miss Nassau while we are at work. Don't let me keep you from your duties."
Jawsey wasn't quite sure what he had said, but he must have inadvertently triggered something with his attempt at small talk.


AM received a faint smile from the Duchess and another withering stare from the bodyguard.
"Thomas hasn't yet proposed to me, so it's a bit early to plan for the wedding..."
Outside the library, everything is silent in the family quarters. On cue, van der Bloom sent her a message:
<<Nothing else to do at the moment, you can go to your room or the kitchen for a snack. I'll call on you when I need you, but be ready to represent at dinner time.>>

[Gilga]

AM returns a smile and shakes her heads in a "silly me", gesture. That bodyguard sure is stressing, but it made her feel less of a threat anyow, and that was good for now. She leaves and texts back >> any objection to exploring a bit, I mean there would probably be few opportunities as the days progress.

[Tecumseh]

Mato's eyes are rolling in exasperation at the same time Chan's are rolling in shock. He watches her fall in slow motion.

Perhaps he should feel scared, or worried. Mostly he's annoyed. This is a damnable inconvenience, entirely her fault for being to sloppy to parry a routine strike. But, still, the mess was made and now needed to be cleaned.

Step one, find a medkit. Step two, alert the chain of command. Step three, inquire what AM is doing right now.

Step One: Mato quickly scans the surroundings, trying to find a medkit. He knows he needs to stop the bleeding, perhaps apply a splint. A professional should reset the broken bone.

Step Two: He comms Brad, <<Brown, Copper down.>> Copper doesn't distinguish which guest, precisely, but Brad seems smart enough to put two and two together. He knew that Mato would be sparring at this time. <<She needs medical attention.>> Hopefully Brad - or Hamington - would have a sense about how to handle this quietly. He supposes that 'throw Mato under the bus' might be one viable approach, but this was consensual sparring, not an attack. On that note...

Step Three: <<AM and Jawsey, I'm not sure what's available for magical healing, but we need some in the gym, stat. AM, if you have access, can you pull any video records of the sparring session that just ended? It would be helpful to have an unaltered copy in case someone tries to claim malfeasance.>>

Mato sighs. He doubts that Chan will turn this into a political squabble - although others might do that on her behalf - but she might not forgive him either, which will undoubtedly complicate life. Still, he has a hard time feeling bad for her. Learning defense improves the attack.

[Gilga]

>> I'll go help. with that she runs to the Gym.

[ Spoiler ]

Does she have any access to the cameras?

[Jack_Spade]

[ Spoiler ]

For convenience sake, let's say you are all concurrent for interaction purposes as nothing will happen at the other's positions until the fateful duell.

First aid check unless you want to let the R6 Medkit in the dojo take care of it. In that case you can roll 8 dice (-2 for awakened, -2 for non ideal surroundings)

Brad replied at once: <<Oh shit. Copy that, I'm on my way, do what you can in the meantime with the medkit there. Brown out.>>

AM arrived at the gymn before Brad. Chan was still conscious, but looked like she'd have preferred not to be...

[Tecumseh]

By the time AM arrives, Mato has found the medkit and is kneeling next to Chan on the mat on the floor. He's typing the situation into the medkit while attaching various sensors and needles to her. He seems to be debating his options for the next step. He wasn't planning on doing anything major but Brad suggested that he should do what he can.

"We can just attach it to her and let it do its job," he says to AM. "It will stop the bleeding and ease her pain, but certainly won't do anything about the broken bone. It needs a pair of hands for that.

"I know the basics of what to do, and the medkit can provide instructions. Her Awakened physiology will complicate things. Can you give me a mental boost before I apply the splints?"

[Gilga]

AM manifests her cat, as she runs to the scene. "Ofcourse, I'll also help."she responds
When she arrives, she places her hand on Mato's cyberarm. "Iktomi, give my friend wisdom" she says quietly and augments Mato's logical mind aided by Trouble. Her next approach is to help him treat the wounded woman, another pair of eyes and pair of hands to follow the medical instructions and Mato's orders.

[ Spoiler ]

aid Mato: 8d6t5 1
Improve logic + Troublehelp: 15d6t5 6
so total of +5 dice to first aid.
drain: 10d6t5 4
no drain
She'll ask Trouble to sustain the second logic spell for 5 combat rounds - (should be enough for plenty of first aid).
AM is not using leadership - but instead defaulting first aid. (does not feel right to have her boss him around now).

[Tecumseh]

AM's spell works like magic (ba dum tss). Mato's feels his mind opening - almost expanding - like it's no longer confined by his skull.

Everything seems so crisp and clear. "Is this what it's like...?" he wonders aloud looking around the room, almost distracted by the mental horsepower he now wields. Words rush into his mind, words that he would never think to use otherwise.

Chan groans, which brings his attention back to the present.

"Ah, it's so easy!" Mato says, seeing the situation and the medkit's recommendation with fresh eyes. "Diagnosis: open fracture. Fracture reduction is necessary." He types a few commands into the medkit to administer anesthetic to ensure the patient gets the appropriate relief. "Generally we would go with a hematoma block to deliver a local anesthetic directly to the area surrounding the fracture, but we won't in this case because it's an open fracture."

He continues to narrate what he's doing. Whether this is for Chan's benefit or whether he's just celebrating his newfound intelligence is unknown. He pulls on nitrile medical gloves.

"Next, we sterilize of the skin is performed with alcohol. This prevents bacteria from entering any breaks on the skin which may not only lead to infection but to complications such as septicemia.

"Performing the fracture reduction involves manipulating the ends of the broken bone so that they are realigned into their original position." He looks down at Chan. "You may feel pressure or a crunching sensation but patients will usually not experience any significant pain."

CRUNCH! His strong hands reset the bone in short order.

"Immobilizing the bone ensures the broken ends are held firmly in place. Now that we've reduced the fracture, we will apply a splint. The most common types are plaster and fiberglass, but I don't want to do anything like that until magical healing has been applied. Plus, we should keep it exposed so that it can receive x-rays to better ensure that the reduced fracture is correctly aligned. We'll go with a simple wooden splint for now."

He leans back, admiring his handiwork. He turns to AM.

"Thank you for Iktomi's blessing. I am sure Iktomi is enjoying my predicament, and I appreciate Iktomi's willingness to mitigate some of the circumstances. Do you wish to apply magical healing or would you prefer to wait for medical professionals?"

[Jack_Spade]

You couldn't do much wrong with the moder medkits and all their step by step instructions - still Mato had good reason to be impressed with himself. The calm an clarity that AM's touch brought into his mind let him follow everything with absolute crystal clarity. Every movement economic and perfect, every touch as careful and sure as if he had done them a 100 times before.
Before he even knew it, he had - with the help of AM applied a tourniquet, set the bone, applied the wound seal and used the imobilizing foam. The topical anesthetic in both worked and Chan's vitals that had been close to a shock normalized.
Now she had her eyes half closed as the high of the pain relieve flooded through her: "Ah, it's always so nice when the pain goes away", before she relaxed and laid back to close her eyes.

McElroy was the next to arrive with Jawsey in tow.
"Foolish woman. That's the third time I've had to come down here in a rush. Maybe this time she'll stop doing this stupid drek."
The mage's gaze moved away from Chan and to Mato, nodding:
"You did an amazing job there - barely anything left to do for me. Still, our employer likely would want us to leave a guest wounded."
The tall man moved over to Chan and laid a hand on her wounded arm.
"Chauncey, I'll need your help with this."
At his words a Mist appeared that took on vaguely humanoid shape.
"On two. One, Two." Both AM and Jawsey felt how a high force healing spell took shape, aided by the bound spirit. Bones moved back in position and fused while torn flesh knitted back together, leaving not even a trace of its effects.
Almost as an afterthought, McElroy cast another spell that Jawsey knew to be the Detox incantation.
Chan's eyes flew open and with a sineous motion she went from lying down to standing up. A vexing grin on her lips she said: "Damn that was intense - and I had just such a nice high going too. Alright metal boy, time for round two..."

Before she could finish the sentence, McElroy stepped in: "No, absolutely not. You might feel fine, but before this spell hasn't become permanent you could go down as a vegetable. You had your fun and as your physician I absolutely forbid you anymore physical activity for the next few hours. Be happy you didn't bleed out. That was an artery you nicked there. And these people have work to do."
McElroy got up and indicated for the three investigators to follow him outside.

[Gilga]

AM helps as much as she can, and following the instructions and trying to learn the basics. When McElroy arrives she is impressed by the healing spell, and the bound spirit but does not say much. Instead, she strokes her spirit-like Troubles, proud of her little boy. Thinking "you did good sweetie" and she thanks Iktomi for his generosity.

When McElroy asks them to follow him outside she feels a bit worried - have they done anything wrong? The Trickster sure has a sense of humor. "That was impressive work both of you." she comments to Mato and McElroy, and follows the man outside of the gym wondering what he has in mind.

[Tecumseh]

Mato gives a bow to Chan. "Pugil sticks, perhaps?"

He then turns to follow McElroy out of the gym. It's curious to hear that it's the third time he's had to patch her up. Who else would she spar with? Perhaps Katya Komarova is the one who broke Chan the first two times.

"Thank you for your assistance," he says rather formally to AM. He's unsure if their private connection is known among the staff. For now he'll keep up the façade that they're independent of each other. "I appreciate your prompt and professional response."

[Beta]

Jawsey had been hurrying toward the gym when McElroy had caught up to him. Jawsey hadn't been quite sure what he'd be able to offer in the situation before McElroy turned up, and after he was content to sit back and watch. Maybe someday I'll toss around magic like that. Maybe.

When McElroy called them outside Jawsey traded glances with the others, wishing he could communicate what he'd told his boss about their presence. Then he realizes that he somewhat can. Following McElroy out he used Sioux Sign Language to tell the others "He knows about us." Which was something of an exaggeration, but it was better than the others trying to provide a song and dance about how random it was that Mato had called them here.

[Jack_Spade]

Outside the gym, McElroy put his finger to his lips and indicated to the team to follow him outside. One staircase later, he had them outside in a small gazebo.
"Mrs. Miller, Mr. Severo, I had a talk with Mr. Newton just a few hours ago that I do not condone anyone under my care to get hurt. From Mrs. Wu's utterance I gather that this foolishness was her own fault - entering a sparring with an unknown opponent and without the right protective gear.
Nevertheless, fools and children should not come to harm. From what I saw in her aura, she very nearly met a fatal fate. And even though it would have been her own damn fault, you'd still carry responsibility.
I'll bring this up with Cunningham and he hopefully with Master Pike, but for the moment I ask you as part of my deal with "Mr. Newton" to not let such an occurance happen again. Unless your own life is in danger, I expect you to withdraw or submit rather than find refuge in force. There are few things I can't fix, though death is unfortunately one of them.
Am I understood?"

[Tecumseh]

Who is McElroy? Is he within Mato's chain of command? Does Mato have to listen to him?

Perhaps, perhaps not, but for now Mato will agree to make things easier on AM and Jawsey and anyone else who has to deal with McElroy regularly, especially since - as Jawsey covertly noted - he knows about the relationship between the three.

"Understood, sir."

After all, McElroy wasn't exactly wrong. Mato could have taken Chan's head off - perhaps quite literally - if he hadn't been using the batons. And even with the batons he was perhaps fortunate that his lazy blow had struck her arm as opposed to, say, her temple.

Still... once his back is turned, a little smile creeps into the corner of Mato's face. There had been a test of his skills - not a life or death one, but a test nonetheless - and he had passed.

He looks around and studies everything with new eyes, reveling in his new intelligence and the perspective it provides for a few minutes before AM drops the spell.

[Gilga]

AM moves uncomfortably when McElroy speaks because she cannot believe that Mato just nearly killed the second grade initiate martial artist by accident. Perhaps magic is no match for chrome after all.

[Beta]

"Very definitely understood, Mr. McElroy." Jawsey almost pointed out that he hadn't really had time to talk to the others today, but in hindsight he could have perhaps sent a spirit, or risked a matrix message? Well, too late now.

"I am very glad that she healed up well, but most definitely we don't wish to hurt anyone here, nor frankly to attract as much attention as something like this could have drawn."

[Jack_Spade]

McElroy nodded: "Good. In that case I'll speak up for you, should this become an issue. It may eben be wholesome for Mrs. Wu in the long run to come up against an opponent that isn't awed by her wealth and connections and her ability to end carreers, health and life of a man.

Alrght Newton, time to get back to work. There is a lot more to cover before we can attempt a joint ritual casting."

The mage nodded to the other two detectives and turned to go.

Brad came on over the com to Mato: <<Damn, you really don't frag around, do you? I just saw the tape. Such a little tap and you nearly took her arm off. Better make yourself scarce until dinner. I'll cover for you. Unless the Dragon Lady complains that should be the end of it. Just don't mention it in front of Hamington.>>