why is it you always get to sit in the shade

[blackstarred]

Comments

[moralitypolice]

( A basement. Great.

As for the person at the front desk, must be boring on the night shift. Of course she'd make normal conversation. She takes Isaac's hand, plasters on a smile and makes her way to the desk, walking Isaac with her. )

Hi there.

[notwitty]

[Isaac follows along, surprised, like oh we're not sneaking anymore? But this is Bonnie's show, he's just here to punch things if needed.

The receptionist looks up and turns on her customer service smile. "Oh, hello. Is everything okay with the rooms?"]

[moralitypolice]

( Just not for now. She'd rather not try to sneak past the young thing at the desk.

She puts on her best 'new age millennial' voice (2) )

Between you and me, how often does the staff sage our rooms.

[notwitty]

["Sage?" The girl behind the desk raises an eyebrow, but she's on to Bonnie's ruse (14). Isaac can see it (16), and he tenses behind Bonnie, ready to spring, depending on what move the woman makes. "Afraid we don't include that as part of our cleaning process. Allergies and all."]

[moralitypolice]

( Yeah, she's not going to get anywhere. )

Of course not. ( So, she tries honesty on for size. ) I get these feelings. I have since I was a kid. Just - having one of those moments. Your proprietor woke us up, I was just checking to see if everything was okay.

[notwitty]

["Oh, everything is fine. We had a sudden late night check out, but the guest is on their way. Y'all can go back to bed - nothing to worry."

Will save for Bonnie, please, as this receptionist is giving off very strong "go away" vibes.]

[moralitypolice]

You can do that?

( ...(2) for a will save. )

[notwitty]

[Bonnie wants to leave. She wants to leave right now, and she wants to get as far away from the front desk as she possibly can. Isaac is doing a bit better, but not by much (7).

The receptionist smiles. "It was a real emergency. And it's not like this is a prison, we can't just keep people here. Now why don't y'all go back to bed. Everything's fine."

[moralitypolice]

( Her (8) isn't keeping Bonnie down there. )

Isaac, we have to go. Now.

[notwitty]

[Isaac agrees and follows her lead, heading back to the stairs so they can head back to their room. But as they leave the receptionist's immediate vicinity, the magic lessens, and by the time they reach the stairs Isaac (10) takes her elbow and pulls her to a stop.]

Wait. I think we got whammied.

[moralitypolice]

She --

( She looks back. )

We have to get around her.

[notwitty]

[Isaac finally rolls higher than a 10 (17), and he places a finger to his lips, before pointing into the space away from the reception desk, that would allow them to circle around the first floor the opposite way.]

[moralitypolice]

( Bonnie will attempt to sneak (nat 20) the other way around the floor. )

[notwitty]

[Isaac is not far behind her (19), and while the receptionist seems to be looking out for them (17), they just manage to escape her notice as she goes back to "work."

Make another witchy woo check, Bonnie.]

[moralitypolice]

( Still smarting from the receptionist's whammy, she tries. (8) )

[notwitty]

[There is definitely a vibe. A vibe that's coming from a vague direction in the other room. But Isaac's head snaps to attention, turning towards a specific portion of the floor and gesturing for her to follow (20).]

I smell blood.

[moralitypolice]

( She sticks close, quieting her footsteps (15) )

Is it fresh?

[notwitty]

Kind of?

[It's hard to tell from here, but it's definitely not old. He starts following his nose, weaving quietly through the first floor (12), and neither of them manage to attract the attention of the receptionist (5).

Eventually they land at a door, and Bonnie will feel a big power vibe coming from behind it, the kind of power signature she can't ignore. And it's active, meaning whatever ritual they're performing is still in progress.]

[moralitypolice]

Something big is happening in there.

( Is it locked? )

[notwitty]

[It is not locked, but the doorknob feels warm, as though it's an indication of the power waiting behind it.

Caroline texts soon after and we will continue this in the other thread!]