Lost and Found

[Unkabear]

Johan
Gentleman Thief

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High Concept: Reformed Thief trying to turn a new Leaf,

Trouble: Old Habits Die Hard

Skills

Skills

Burglary (+4)

Notice (+3); Stealth (+3)

Athletics (+2); Deceive (+2); Investigate (+2)

Empathy (+1); Lore (+1); Rapport (+1); Resources (+1)

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Johan was sitting enjoying the smell of books, an old copy of Moby Dick on his lap. This was the version with an edit where Queequeg became Buddhist. There were only like seven copies left in the world, and this was the one that Johan was able to get his hands on...and read. The thought of fencing it was strong. Somehow Johan has not yet begun a search yet. For such a specialized item as this he would need to reach out to old contacts, and that would certainly draw attention.

So instead he read the book for the third time. The library had a nice and comfortable chair that almost swallowed you whole. It was delightful if awkward to get out of. It was nice to have a quiet moment in the chaos of the city.

 

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OOC

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Edited April 30 by Unkabear (see edit history)

[jrsey]

Marina Trevino

 

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High Concept: Intuitive Ectomantic Forensic Scientist

Trouble: Door's Always Open

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Marina peruses the stacks, looking for a book to read for pleasure. Nothing has sparked her interest yet after looping around 15 stacks, but she remains hopeful. As she rounds the corner of one of the stacks, she sees Johan sitting in one of the library chairs. She walks over to him.

"Fancy meeting you here," she whispers, minding the library's customary silence. "Reading anything specific or just enjoying some quiet time?"

OOC

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Edited May 1 by jrsey (see edit history)

[Unkabear]

Johan
Gentleman Thief

---

High Concept: Reformed Thief trying to turn a new Leaf,

Trouble: Old Habits Die Hard

Skills

Skills

Burglary (+4)

Notice (+3); Stealth (+3)

Athletics (+2); Deceive (+2); Investigate (+2)

Empathy (+1); Lore (+1); Rapport (+1); Resources (+1)

---

Johan looks up and holds up Moby Dick. "Just thumbing through an old classic. When this was written long distance travel was a several week or month endeavor, it was written with killing a lot of time in mind." he said trying to lean up...and giving up and just resting back against the chair. "I enjoy libraries, they are always the best of any given city. Young and Old, Haves and have nots," he then motioned over to a table that had both a college student studying and a homeless boy pouring over some thick book, "A place where everyone is equal before the stacks of knowledge."

Johan sets the book down on the small table by the chair and then made a concerted effort to get out of the chair, there was no way to do so with dignity, so he abandoned dignity and found a way to stand. Still worth it for the comfort of the chair. He picked up the book and found a "Please place books Here" cart for one of the librarians to sort. "How about yourself? Business or pleasure?" He said offering her a friendly hug.

 

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Edited April 30 by Unkabear (see edit history)

[jrsey]

Marina Trevino

 

---

High Concept: Intuitive Ectomantic Forensic Scientist

Trouble: Door's Always Open

---

Marina smiles and returns Johan's hug. When she parts, she looks up into his eyes.

"I love libraries, too. I read a lot, both for business and pleasure. Today is pleasure. I usually get two or three each week," she replies with a shrug. "Although, sadly, I'm not finding anything that piques my interest today. Maybe I should try the book you were reading? I have some time to kill."

Marina turns back to the stacks. "Unless you'd like to join me in searching for some interesting reads?"

 

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Edited May 1 by jrsey (see edit history)

[Unkabear]

Johan Gentleman Thief

---

High Concept: Reformed Thief trying to turn a new Leaf,

Trouble: Old Habits Die Hard

Skills

Skills

Burglary (+4)

Notice (+3); Stealth (+3)

Athletics (+2); Deceive (+2); Investigate (+2)

Empathy (+1); Lore (+1); Rapport (+1); Resources (+1)

---

Johan shrugged, "Mitzy is in office today so I am 'on call', I have nothing but time, I would be happy to help you find an interesting read." He offered, "So what'syour poison, High Fantasy, trashy romance, mystery, True Crime?" That last one always gave him a chuckle, if only the authors really knew.

Johan offered to let her lead the way.

 

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OOC

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[jrsey]

Marina Trevino

 

---

High Concept: Intuitive Ectomantic Forensic Scientist

Trouble: Door's Always Open

---

Marina starts back towards the stacks with Johan in tow.

"Trashy romance is my usual, but I'm in the mood for something different. Not really sure what that different is, though," she says, running her fingers over the books' spines. She looks back at Johan.

"Any recommendations?"

 

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Edited May 1 by jrsey (see edit history)

[Unkabear]

Johan Gentleman Thief

---

High Concept: Reformed Thief trying to turn a new Leaf,

Trouble: Old Habits Die Hard

Skills

Skills

Burglary (+4)

Notice (+3); Stealth (+3)

Athletics (+2); Deceive (+2); Investigate (+2)

Empathy (+1); Lore (+1); Rapport (+1); Resources (+1)

---

Johan thought for a moment. "If you are into trashy romance, teen lit may have something for you. Not as steamy, but similar themes." He offered as they started down the various isles.

As he moved he would grab errant books and placing them on the return cart.

 

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[jrsey]

Marina Trevino

 

---

High Concept: Intuitive Ectomantic Forensic Scientist

Trouble: Door's Always Open

---

Marina notices Johan's quietly-performed good deeds and smiles to herself.

"Maybe another time," she says, rounding a corner. "I kind of want something diff-"

She interrupts herself with a short gasp as she sees half of a person sticking out of the row of books to her right. A ghost. They seem just as surprised to be seen by her as she is to see them. Her features automatically soften, relaxing into a come-hither look. With one smooth movement, she pulls a pair of aviators from atop her head and puts them on to conceal her bedroom eyes.

"A ghost," she whispers to Johan, her voice dreamy and soft.

She turns back to the ghost and offers it a slight smile. "Hello, are you looking for something?"

The ghost steps back to reveal herself fully: a young woman with short blonde hair in a flowing sundress. She looks at Marina, somewhat in awe, then raises her hand to a gap in the books.

"There was a book here, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. My favorite book. The library's only copy." She lowers to hand to touch the open spot on the shelf, but her hand passes through. She frowns. "I keep forgetting I can't touch things anymore."

Marina takes a couple of steps closer to the woman. "Are you recently departed?"

"Yes," the woman sighs. "The book is still at my house. Nobody will return it. My family will likely throw it away, along with everything else they think has no value." She turns her sad gaze to Marina. "I wish I could see it back here."

The woman's sadness tugs at Marina's heart. "What is your name? I'm Marina."

After a few moments of thoughtful silence, the woman says, "Candace. Could you help me get it back? Please?"

Marina turns to Johan, sadness tinging her otherwise seductive appearance. "This ghost, Candace, borrowed her favorite book from here, but wasn't able to return it before she passed. She asked me if I could help her get it back. It's in her home."

She gently bites her lip in thought. Could she really just walk into some stranger's house and retrieve a book? She doesn't have those skills. And what if someone was there at the house? How could she explain her presence? Still, if helping Candace with this little bit of unfinished business would bring her some peace, wouldn't that alone be worth it?

Marina refocuses her attention on Johan. "Want to take a field trip?"

OOC

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Edited May 1 by jrsey (see edit history)

[Unkabear]

Johan
Gentleman Thief

---

High Concept: Reformed Thief trying to turn a new Leaf,

Trouble: Old Habits Die Hard

Skills

Skills

Burglary (+4)

Notice (+3); Stealth (+3)

Athletics (+2); Deceive (+2); Investigate (+2)

Empathy (+1); Lore (+1); Rapport (+1); Resources (+1)

---

Johan watched Marina stop and start to speak to...something. Perhaps herself? No it had to be a...ah yes, she confirmed, a ghost. It was one thing to be told of such things, it was quite another to 'witness' it. Had he not had one foot very securely in the supernatural world he would have not believed it. Even now it was a bit of a shock, but then, how would others feel seeing him turn into a bird? It was not so far fetched from his position.

"It seems that it will help an echo find peace and help the library regain what is now lost. How can I refuse." he replied, though in truth part of the reason that he was interested in doing so was that up until this moment he had not had a chance to get to know Marina. He had gotten to know Marina AND Jason as a couple, but he did not know her as a person. And though he figured that he will have to deal with Jason for stealing some time with Marina without his protection, it was something that could be handled with a bit of care.

Johan was not looking for anything romantic, and she had been a good friend, helping him get settled in.

"What is the address we need to go?"

 

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[jrsey]

Marina Trevino

Ghost Whisperer

---

High Concept: Intuitive Ectomantic Forensic Scientist

Trouble: Door's Always Open

---

Marina looks back at Candace.

"We can help you try to find the book. We need a little more information first, though. What is the address where the book is located?"

"10209 Flora Avenue," Candace replies. "It's in the Glendale area, across from a playground." A smile touches her lips; her eyes grow distant. "I used to love watching the children play."

Marina whispers the address to Johan, then returns her attention to Candace. "Is there anyone living at that address now?"

"No," she replies wistfully. "It was just me."

"Okay. Any security system or hidden key that we should know about?"

Candace laughs dryly. "Honey, my security system was my shotgun and I'd never be dumb enough to leave a key outside."

Marina smiles and laughs a little, too. "Last question: What room is the book in?"

Silence draws on as Candace thinks. "I...I don't really know," she says thoughtfully. "I think it's on my bedroom bedside table, but it could also be in the living room near my easy chair. Maybe even the kitchen? Well, it's one of those three places."

Marina nods. It's not so uncommon for newly-minted ghosts to have some confusion. After all, they are adjusting to the idea of being dead, of not being seen or heard much anymore, of figuring out what "unlife" looks like for them. She gives Candace a reassuring smile.

"We'll come back when we're done, Candace. Try to take it easy - you don't want to overexert yourself and miss the return of your book."

Candace smiles faintly, then slowly fades out of sight. Marina emerges from her trance, replaces her aviators atop her head, and relays the information she learned to Johan.

"Seems pretty straightforward, but I should warn you: we don't always know how long these ghosts have been gone. To her, it may seem like yesterday. To us, it could be as much as a decade ago. Hopefully her passing was more recent. We don't want to get to her place only to find it's been torn down. That's happened before." Realizing she's sounding a bit too dour, she perks herself up and flashes Johan a smile. "Let's hope for the best, though! You ready?"

OOC

TBD

 

[Unkabear]

Johan
Gentleman Thief

---

High Concept: Reformed Thief trying to turn a new Leaf,

Trouble: Old Habits Die Hard

Skills

Skills

Burglary (+4)

Notice (+3); Stealth (+3)

Athletics (+2); Deceive (+2); Investigate (+2)

Empathy (+1); Lore (+1); Rapport (+1); Resources (+1)

---

10209 Flora, that was just a few blocks down. Just far enough that a bus ride would be convenient, just bad enough of a time that waiting for the bus and taking the ride would be slower than actually just walking. Even Waiting for an Uber would be slower than just walking. Johan nodded. "That is just a quick stroll, should be back with the book in no time." He said leading Marina back through the library to the street.

"So how often does this happen to you?" He asked genuinely interested in the response while setting a pace that bordered between determined and casual, guiding them around obstacles such as mailboxes, stray bags of trash, people and buskers. One duo of a girl playing the guitar while a guy played an orange five gallon bucket were actually quite good, the sounds the guy was able to get from the bucket was quite astounding and Johan dropped a five dollar bill into the open guitar case as they passed without slowing down to appreciate their music.

 

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[jrsey]

Marina Trevino

Ghost Whisperer

---

High Concept: Intuitive Ectomantic Forensic Scientist

Trouble: Door's Always Open

---

Marina allows Johan to lead the way. It's a beautiful day, so she doesn't mind the walk. Not like she has anything else to do. Besides, she'd rather not deal with the hassle of the bus. Tight spaces with strangers who might have ghostly attachments? No, thank you.

"Ghosts randomly appearing and asking things of me? Pretty often." She shrugs. "I'm used to it by now, though. Hopefully it didn't freak you out. Apparently my face does something when I communicate with ghosts that can be a little, um, unsettling." She points to the sunglasses resting atop her head. "That's why Jason gave me his aviators to wear when it happens. It's not exactly a face I should be making in public."

OOC

TBD

 

Edited May 1 by jrsey (see edit history)

[Unkabear]

Johan
Gentleman Thief

---

High Concept: Reformed Thief trying to turn a new Leaf,

Trouble: Old Habits Die Hard

Skills

Skills

Burglary (+4)

Notice (+3); Stealth (+3)

Athletics (+2); Deceive (+2); Investigate (+2)

Empathy (+1); Lore (+1); Rapport (+1); Resources (+1)

---

"Wow, that must make for some awkward situations, and I assume that this is not something you can control?" Johan whistled, that could certainly make interactions with those not in the know quite the experience. Johan could only wonder how many relationships and friendships that this had this destroyed.

Johan tapped the crosswalk button in a shave and a haircut pattern and tapped his foot to finish the two bits. Were he alone he would consider jaywalking, but while escorting Marina he had decided to follow the law and be safe. He was not sure how Jason would skin him alive should he cause any harm to her, especially by getting her hit by a car.

 

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[jrsey]

Marina Trevino

Ghost Whisperer

---

High Concept: Intuitive Ectomantic Forensic Scientist

Trouble: Door's Always Open

---

"'Control' is a tricky word. I can't control when or where ghosts decide they want to show up, but I can control whether I interact with them or not." She pauses, watching the crosswalk signal change to the walking man. "Somewhat. But if I choose to communicate with them, then my face changes. It's part of the channeling. Comes with the territory." 

A truck rumbles by behind them and Marina's thoughts immediately go to Daemon. It's been at least three weeks since that disastrous night at Bram's, where he got drunk and aggressive. She'd never seen him like that before. Daemon rarely drank. When he did, it was always a single beer or something light with dinner. She figured he needed some time, so she gave it to him. But when she hadn't heard from him for almost two weeks, her thoughts turned to worry. Now it's been three weeks. She called him three times on three different days. Still, no answer.

Had he left again? Was he gone? Had something worse happened? Her throat closes up; her chest tightens. Some of the things she'd said to him after his confessions were extremely harsh. In her defense, he hadn't seemed to really get what she was saying when she put it gently. Harshness might have been the only way to break through his moody haze. Still, the pain in his eyes...she knew how her words must have hurt him. Regret consumed her, only increasing as the days passed without hearing from him.

If she apologized, would that be enough? Of course not. Of course not. Daemon might be outwardly tough, but she knows the deeply-feeling man beneath very well. Marina knows there's a direct connection between his pain and his recklessness. He's always hid things from her to protect her. She knows that. For him to go off the grid like this and ignore her, though? This feels intensely personal. Of course it is. She shredded him.

Marina pulls out her phone and opens the text conversation with Daemon. Still nothing. Her fingers hover over the keyboard for a few moments before she types, "Dae, I need to talk to you. I want to apologize. You deserve that and more from me. I f***ed up bigtime and I want to make it right. Where can we meet?" Her thumb hovers over the Send button. With a sigh, she presses the button to shut off her phone screen, leaving the message as a draft. She can't send it. Not yet.

She looks up to see their destination: an apartment building with a security door. Marina looks at Johan apologetically.

"Sorry, my mind went elsewhere for a moment. Looks like we're here, though I'm not sure how we'll get inside. Maybe the back?"

OOC

TBD

 

Edited May 1 by jrsey (see edit history)

[Unkabear]

Johan
Gentleman Thief

---

High Concept: Reformed Thief trying to turn a new Leaf,

Trouble: Old Habits Die Hard

Skills

Skills

Burglary (+4)

Notice (+3); Stealth (+3)

Athletics (+2); Deceive (+2); Investigate (+2)

Empathy (+1); Lore (+1); Rapport (+1); Resources (+1)

---

Johan nodded at her explanation, so there was a measure of control, but it was when she acted or not. Johan was glad for this, it would be a true curse if she went...to that face...whenever she saw a ghost. It was still not ideal, but manageable.

Johan noticed that Marina became distracted for part of their walk and did not press the issue, he just made sure that they got there relatively close without being too close. He then took his wallet out of his jacket, a long one where the bills did not need to be folded and he set it on the ground by his foot and he watched. Within a minute a teenager burst through the door. Johan was too far away to run and grab it before it would close, but instead he just kicked his wallet by stubbing his foot down casually causing the wallet to slide across the distance and catch in the door before it closed, blocking the door from closing.

Johan looked to Marina with a raised eyebrow and walked over to the door, opening it for her while retrieving his wallet.

Security was always a strange thing. Very rarely was there security beyond the exterior. Once you were in the building, there seemed to be the assumption that you belonged there. And in an apartment building it was assumed that you lived there or were there to deliver something. "After you." Johan offered.

 

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