Robert Wright: *The room is dark. It is still pitch black, and Benny has gotten... some idea of how large it is by feeling along one wall. Before the whispering starts again.* This way! *It's almost... a child's voice.*

Benny Jones: *He turns his head slightly in the direction of the voice, then starts moving slowly in it's direction, keeping one hand on the wall as he moves..* (vvqw)"How far?"

Robert Wright: Not too far. *A whispered voice.* This way! *It sounds urgent.*

Benny Jones: *He moves slightly quicker at the urgency of the tone, feeling along the wall as he does...*

Robert Wright: *It moves, further away, still calling out to him, still.* Hurry! Before he comes back!

Benny Jones: *He follows after the voice, going as quick as he can do...* (vvqw)"Can you see outside of this room?"

Benny Jones: 6,3,6,3,

Robert Wright: Yes, it's so dark, you must... *And the floor lets out from under Benny. Suddenly. Completely, he goes toppling down...*

Benny Jones: 5,9,5,

Robert Wright: *He manages not to conk his head on one of the boards, and actually lands on his feet. Though it hurts, clearly.*

Benny Jones: 6,5,7,

Robert Wright: *But nothing broken. He is covered in dust, and is a bit sore from the fall. Though the room he is in... is a bit brighter than the last one. Almost hurts his eyes. It looks like... pews. Stained glass windows. A church? Perhaps, or maybe, merely, a place of worship. It's strange. Beautiful. The child's laughter, though, fills the place, echoing. Merry.*

Benny Jones: *Benny catches himself before he can cry out when he falls, grits his teeth slightly and quickly closes his eyes against the light before he opens them slowly again letting them adust and looks around...* (vvqw)"Where is this?"

Robert Wright: *Laughter, giddy with amusement, fills the place. The children, the children's voices from earlier. ALL laughing at him.*

Benny Jones: *He looks around again eyes searching for doors before he wipes at his face...* (vvqw)"What's so funny?"

Robert Wright: *The place is simply... enclosed. No doors, only those stained glass window. The peaceful face of the Virgin Mary. And the laughter. The whispering again, so many mingled words. I pray the Lord... blood of Christ... and the giggles, frantic, almost maddened.*

Benny Jones: *He turns his attn away from the voices and more onto the physical as he starts moving around the 'church', eyes searching closely for an escape route...

Robert Wright: My poor boy. *A whispered voice, and the hidden man steps out. No puff of smoke, no dramatics. Noble. Handsome.* If only you had seen the light.

Robert Wright: *He appears to be a man fast approaching his forties, and they've been forty very active years. His face and hands are tan and lined from time spent outdoors, and he is in excellent shape. His dark hair is cut short and has gone silver at the temples. His clothing and general demeanor project a sense of simplicity and utility.*

Benny Jones: *He turns in the direction of the voice, eyes watching him..* (qw)"There is no light in a dark room, only darkness..."

Robert Wright: It is what you saw. It is your own fault, *he assures the boy, with almost a piteous smile. And he raises his hand. Utters a few harsh words in Latin, nearly... sings them. Domine... Domine...*

Griffen Aston: 5,10,4,2,5,8,

Benny Jones: *Benny stays on his guard ready as he watches the man..* (qw)"No... that isnt what I saw... I saw light in that darkness..."

Robert Wright: *The creaking of the statues around... statues? Yes. Angels. Names beneath them. Gabriel. Azrael. Rafael. Creak. And one of their noble, beautiful heads turns. Empty, soulless eyes. The sword is drawn, blazing with light. So beautiful. And then the next. Slowly making its way to its feet.*

Robert Wright: You saw darkness, or you would not be here, *he hums gently, and he smiles as the statue moves carefully. Watching Robert for commands, perhaps. The other two are being slow.*

Griffen Aston: And about now is when the stained glass window shatters, and a Griffen-sized form bursts through. He hits the ground, athame held at the ready like a weapon.

Robert Wright: 1,5,8,7,7,

Benny Jones: *Benny glances around in the direction of the statues, though doesnt take his attn fully from the man..* (qw)"If I only saw darkness, then I guess the light I saw was a false and misleading light.."

Robert Wright: *His head turns, and Gabriel is pointed in Griffen's direction. Azrael is just starting to step off of his pedestal, the blackened steam coming off of his stone, sandaled feet.*

Abbey Randelle: *a thin woman in white lingers silohetted in the window, thin blade drawn, chin high, eyebrow arched upwards. there had been easier ways to break that window, after all*

Griffen Aston: He frowns at the approaching Gabriel, and goes to drive the athame into it. Yes, into stone.

Benny Jones: *At the sound of the glass shattering though he shifts his attn quickly to it and the form that comes through it, then looks back to Robert and the statues, moving himself away from those that are closest to him...

Robert Wright: *Azrael moves towards Benny; Abbey directs his attention again, and slowly, Rafael comes to life. He watches. No Tansy. He looks very disappointed.*

Abbey Randelle: *she regards the situation with cool eyes as she glides into the room. that had been a lovely bit of window artistry. pity. she murmers to Grif* the Statues then? *her eyes slip and narrow on Rob*

Griffen Aston: 9,8,

Benny Jones: 10,1,6,

Griffen Aston: 2,6,

Robert Wright: *Benny manages to Somehow not trip over the debris from his earlier fall. However, the statue is moving quickly, and gains on him easily.*

Griffen Aston: 4,3,9,

Benny Jones: *He mutters seeing the statue after him and keeps moving away from it, being mindful of the others there, specially of Robert...

Griffen Aston: "The statues," he answers Abbey as he stabs downard. "Then him."

Abbey Randelle: *Apparently so. an eyebrow raises impassively as she steps back with a crunch of glass. frowns mutedly and whispers in french to the statues approaching her* ~f~Do break. (wp)

Abbey Randelle: 5,5,1,

Robert Wright: *The Holy Warrior leans back at the strike, the chip... chip? Being flung out of the stone. No blood, but you can't squeeze blood from a stone.* *Azrael is catching up to Benny just as Rafael opens his once peacefully closed eyes.*

Abbey Randelle: (thats neva good)

Abbey Randelle: *her eyes narrow icily as she stares down a statue, epee at the ready*

Robert Wright: ((Actually...)) *Gabriel seems QUITE annoyed at the assault, his glowing sword nearly falling back. Clumsy strike swinging at Griffen.*

Robert Wright: 3,9,8,8,

Robert Wright: *The delay is rather in the swing, the angel off-balance from the hit and the magic.*

Griffen Aston: He frowns. Damn, new strategy. He tries to duck impending statuesque doom.

Griffen Aston: ((WP))

Griffen Aston: 8,3,8,4,2,

Robert Wright: 10,9,3,3,

Robert Wright: ((Delete roll...)) *The angel misses...* ((And now it's that time again, folks... Init!))

Robert Wright: 7,

Robert Wright: 2,

Robert Wright: 10,

Robert Wright: 4,

Benny Jones: 8,

Griffen Aston: 7,

Griffen Aston: ((11))

Abbey Randelle: 2,

Abbey Randelle: (8)

Benny Jones: ((14 normally, -3 penalties from injuries and Geas))

Robert Wright: ((So 11, 12 if you spend a WP.))

Benny Jones: ((Be 11, no WP being spent as yet))

Robert Wright: ((Order is as follows, then - Gabriel, Abbey, Griffin & Benny, Robert, Rafael, and Azrael. Think y'can remember? Good. Declare, then roll.))

Robert Wright: *Gabriel of course tries for one last strike with his sword, the mindless Golem furiously striking.*

Robert Wright: 8,1,6,5,

Abbey Randelle: *well. that was rather unsatisfying, the woman stands still, demeanor utterly glacial as she regards the situation with cold grey eyes. a twitch of her lips into a frown, blade up defensively as she murmers with more force* ~f~ I said, Break them.

Abbey Randelle: 3,7,3,

Griffen Aston: He attempts to duck under the oncoming blade, and make a beeline for Benny & Azrael. He trusts in his newfound ally, Abbey, to stop the statue. ((Split Dex+Dodge & Dex+Athletics))

Griffen Aston: 9,2,5,

Griffen Aston: 6,1,3,

Benny Jones: *Benny is doing all he can to stay ahead of Azrael, eyes shifting to where one of the other statues are as he moves towards it...* (wp)

Benny Jones: 8,10,4,

Robert Wright: *Robert is actually ... running towards the open window.*

Robert Wright: 8,6,10,3,

Robert Wright: *Rafael steps free of his pedestal, and yawns. And moves towards Griffen. His footsteps much quicker.*

Robert Wright: 2,7,4,3,2,6,5,5,

Abbey Randelle: *she purses her lips at the statues, looks at her uselessly flexible little epee. murmers* I am in need of a Sledgehammer. *her eyes widen as robert makes towards her*

Robert Wright: *And Azrael has caught up to Benny. And is chanting. Odd wordless syllables. Haunting, really, as his hand moves down to the boy.*

Robert Wright: 2,5,10,6,4,

Robert Wright: ((Okay... ready for sum up?))

Abbey Randelle: (indeed)

Griffen Aston: ((Sum away))

Benny Jones: (yep)

Robert Wright: *Azrael approaches Benny, and Benny feels as if the air is sucked out of his lungs. ((Take 3 Lethal.)) Just as Gabriel is about to strike, Abbey's command is shouted out, and the statue crumbles to dust, the heavy stone sword falling to the floor, powdering to dust. Griffen dodges it, but it takes all of his energy to do so, and any steps meant to come towards the boy are lost. Robert notes his creations are actually doing his bidding, and so he makes his way towards the exit, trying to avoid Abbey in the process. Rafael finally comes to life, and his graceful movements are somewhat stilled by his surprise at his stony existence.*

Robert Wright: ((Next round.))

Abbey Randelle: *abbey frowns slightly as the thing crumbles. she's certain fate isn't going to like that. then again... there were moving statues mucking about. hardly proper either. She makes to crumble the rest murmering, eyes tracking rob* ~F~ Continue to Break. Now. (quint to lower dif. wp)

Abbey Randelle: 6,8,2,

Griffen Aston: He frowns as the statue starts to hurt Benny, and focuses, drawing his athame across his own forearm and sending a spray of blood toward the statue on Benny. ((Unweaving the effect, using Prime. 2 Quint, 1 WP))

Griffen Aston: 6,1,3,8,

Benny Jones: *Benny gasps for air as he stumbles and collapses..

Robert Wright: *Robert narrows his eyes, and looks to Rafael, and points to Benny.*

Robert Wright: *And obediently, the statue races for his Master.*

Robert Wright: 3,2,6,5,9,3,1,4,

Robert Wright: *And again, Death casts his spell, chanting those odd syllables over the boy.*

Robert Wright: 1,4,8,3,8,

Abbey Randelle: *do attempt to flee maurader. I'm far faster than you... her attention remains on her effect, wishing she'd had the antimagic devices on her when she ran into Griffen. she lifts her chin, tucking a strand of wispy white hair behind her ear as she murmers her command oh so quietly, practically civil, were it not for the chill* (just flavour. not action :P)

Robert Wright: *Sum up: Rafael's movement seems again stilled by Abbey's harsh words, horribly so, like he is stilled, despite Robert's furious orders to the angel. Azrael draws again on Benny's life, though his magic is almost stilled by Griffen's spell. ((Take 1.)) The hand freezing in place as the blood sprays across his stony body.*

Robert Wright: ((Next round.))

Robert Wright: ((And keep in mind your wound penalties. NEW Init. Benny, Abbey, Rafael, Griffen, Robert.))

Robert Wright: ((Sorry... Abbey before Benny.))

Abbey Randelle: *Abbey quirks an eyebrow. this was getting tiresome. one more try as she begins to get angry. a sharp whisper as her epee flicks towards the statues in irritation* ~F~ Crumble. NOW. *the delicate white creature hasn't moved, still standing where she entered amidst broken glass as she radiates cold fury, eyes narrowed deadly* (last wp she's willing to cough up on statues)

Abbey Randelle: 3,7,7,

Benny Jones: *Benny may be down and just about out, but he doesnt give up without a fight as he hums to himself, it barely heard...* ((Yes call Benny slow lol... countering with Prime, 2 quint +wp))

Benny Jones: 7,3,

Robert Wright: *Rafael makes one last attempt to run and grab Benny.*

Robert Wright: 10,9,5,1,6,3,9,

Griffen Aston: A frown, and that blade slices through his own flesh once more, as the arm goes flying, trying to coat the statue with unweaving blood.

Griffen Aston: 9,10,7,7,

Robert Wright: *And as Benny is still within range, and Azrael cannot move, his frozen hand raises the black fog from the ground once more, going up against the counterspell.*

Robert Wright: 9,3,9,5,3,

Robert Wright: *Robert circles around Benny as well, chanting once more as he moves, for God to give his feet wings.*

Robert Wright: ((Spend WP))

Robert Wright: 5,3,7,4,

Robert Wright: *Sum up. Robert orders Rafael to go after Benny, and the statue catches up, only to collapse, and crumble at the boy's feet. It almost distracts him from the counterspell, that negates the last of Death's tricks against him. Griffen's blood causing that head to turn and slowly still. The statue on one knee, frozen in the odd position in the middle of the place. Seeing his creatures defeated, Robert moves towards Benny.*

Robert Wright: ((One more round for good measure before we go back to Drama.))

Abbey Randelle: *ah yes. the order. Statues. then maurader. she turns, a slight smile blossoming on pale lips as the slender ghost of a girl makes to catch up to and if able. stab.. dear robert.* (you want dex + ath? or are they close enough for a good old melee?)

Robert Wright: ((He did make the effort to run... I'm gonna say Dex+Ath to catch up.))

Abbey Randelle: (-2 dif, ath apt)

Abbey Randelle: 6,9,4,4,6,8,9,4,

Abbey Randelle: *well. apparently the woman doesn't speak in bravado. she really does mean "i can catch you" and.. how*

Benny Jones: *Benny's pretty much down for the count...*

Robert Wright: *His syllables cut off, and he finishes off with a* In Nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Robert Wright: ((2 Quint, 1 WP))

Robert Wright: 5,2,3,7,

Robert Wright: *And he makes an odd POP noise as he ... appears behind Benny, with almost a slide. He grabs the boy. Not to injure. To hold him up.* Not one move, *he hisses.* Don't think I won't destroy him.

Robert Wright: ((sorry, Griff. Skipped yeh.))

Griffen Aston: ((S'okay. *G*)) He makes a run from across the room, to get to Benny.

Griffen Aston: 7,2,5,8,9,4,

Robert Wright: *One more sum-up: Robert looks furious, and runs towards Benny, chanting his spell. The air around him pops, just as Abbey bolts at him. but perhaps she was simply being psychic, as she races through the speed, and he appears in front of her, holding Benny's weakened form in front of him as a body shield. Griff is attempting to leap over pews, slowing him down just a bit.*

Griffen Aston: ((out of initiative, now?))

Robert Wright: ((Yes.))

Robert Wright: Stay back, *he growls.*

Benny Jones: *Benny grits his teeth in pain as Robert grabs hold of him, eyes flicking between Abbey and Griffen...*

Griffen Aston: He takes a couple steps forward, eyes meeting Robert. "I won't let you take him, Robert." He moves fluidly, with the grace of a wolf, clearing a pew. "You will not corrupt that child, like you have others."

Abbey Randelle: *abbey's Blade is drawn as she considers the situation* do put the child down, sir. *its far easiser to stab you without another body in the way, her eyebrow quirks.*

Robert Wright: I already have, *he says with a small smile.* I already have. He's mine. As she is. She will come. Come to hear him scream.

Benny Jones: *He swallows slightly..* (vvqw)"She... wont come..."

Griffen Aston: Another step forward. "She will not come to you. You know I will do anything to stop that. She is...not...yours."

Abbey Randelle: *her hair is wisping across the pale girl's forehead as she slips grey eyes to Grif. then the maurader. she would rather like to stab him, she thinks, approaching ever closer, intent clear*

Robert Wright: She is MINE! *he roars.* You have no idea, NONE, boy, of how hard I have worked to teach her to be a God-fearing soul. And you would take that away from her. You are a monster.

Abbey Randelle: *well she's had about enough of that, blade arching back as she makes to strike, patience at an end. why were they talking with a madman?*

Griffen Aston: His hand gribs the blade of his Athame tighter, wrist tilting as the points aims firmly at the ground. "You have slain her mother, Robert. You have slain everyone. She is not yours, and I will not allow you to use this boy to destroy her." His eyes move to Benny, and a flicker of emotion passes over them...apology, perhaps?

Abbey Randelle: (dex + melee. she's attempting to stab him, despite wee benny)

Abbey Randelle: 7,4,7,7,2,10,

Benny Jones: *He keeps his gaze on Abbey and Griffen as he speaks...* (vvqw)"She... fears... but... it aint of God..."

Griffen Aston: And with a quick, sudden motion, he shouts something in ancient Gaelig, athame rising up to point at Robert. No, sorry. A couple inches lower then that.

Griffen Aston: 6,2,4,5,

Robert Wright: 5,8,10,7,

Abbey Randelle: 5,

Abbey Randelle: 9,10,3,4,2,

Robert Wright: 2,3,3,

Robert Wright: *The spell comes from Griffen's sword... And Abbey's distraction gives it enough time to go off. Streaming not towards Robert himself, but towards the figure in his arms. He looks... horrified, and it even causes him to dodge a bit slower. As Abbey's sword sinks into his leg, the limp figure sliding from his arms. Chanting... chanting quickly.*

Griffen Aston: Shoot the hostage? Damn skippy. And Griffen hasn't even seen Speed. He surges forward, intending on helping Abbey skewer his enemy.

Abbey Randelle: *Abbey withdraws the blade and makes to drive it into the mauraders now unsheilded body, a slight frown never the less as benny slumps at her feet, her narrowed eyes flash deadly*

Abbey Randelle: 4,5,6,2,5,3,

Abbey Randelle: *there is a body. of a child on very expensive white pants. she can't help but be a little distracted. children were notoriously dirty*

Abbey Randelle: 8,4,3,5,1,

Robert Wright: ((2 Quint, 1 WP))

Robert Wright: 2,2,7,

Griffen Aston: 3,6,6,6,8,6,

Griffen Aston: ((Sorry for delay, that's my Dex+Ath))

Robert Wright: *Fortunately, her marred skewer leaves him time to cast. Slowly sliding between the fabrics of Space.*

Benny Jones: *Well Benny is notoriously dirty, having not bathed since the morning of his capture, not to mention being dusty as anything..

Robert Wright: *His quick movements bring him to Benny's body, and Abbey with her blooded blade. And a few drips behind.*

Abbey Randelle: *abbey frowns. he had escaped. she moves away from the body at her feet. ick. her eyes flick to it as she kneels by the blood on the floor, wiping it with a white monogrammed hankercheif. satin of course*

Griffen Aston: He frowns, deeply, before looking to Abbey, that impassive look returning to his face. He looks down, eyes regarding the body of the child in front of him, and something hardens further behind already hard eyes. In this day, the death of a child is just another casualty. He looks back to Abbey. "Do you know where we should take the child to?"

Abbey Randelle: *she purses her lips, sopping up maurader blood off the floor with one hankercheif, and wiping her blade down with an alternate. she didn't like that one. its monogram curved oddly on the A. a near inaudible sigh as she regards 1st grif, then the body* I regret Mr. Aston, I have little knowledge of this child. I can age its decomposition, however. should you be worried about disposal. *ver polite. pleasant even in that soft murmer, she rises to her feet gracefully, casual as were they discussing flower arrangements*

Griffen Aston: He considers a little, then nods. "If you would be so kind, Miss Randelle. I do not believe it would do the others well to see the effects of Robert on the child, nor what we had to do to stop him."

Abbey Randelle: of course. *she allows the pissiness at the maurader's second cowardly escape bubble to the fore, eyebrow darting up in ire as she eyes the body and murmers* ~F~ Rot it please.

Abbey Randelle: (taking the time to do it proper. 3 rounds of requesting/comanding fate)

Abbey Randelle: 5,6,4,

Abbey Randelle: *she smoothes her pants with a non bloody hand, epee flicking* ~F~ rot..

Abbey Randelle: 6,4,2,

Abbey Randelle: ~F~ Rot it, thank you. *she inclines her head, lips tugged down. that sneaky teleporting bastard*

Abbey Randelle: 3,3,1,

Abbey Randelle: (ack! *throws wp*)

Abbey Randelle: *she frowns as the last request seems to be pushing her luck. cheeks bit on the inside*

Griffen Aston: He looks to her, eyebrow raised in some concern, but he doesn't interrupt.

Abbey Randelle: *abbey purses her lips, a near inaudible sigh as she lets her ire fade.*

Robert Wright: *EW. Stiiiiink. Body smells BAD. But at least it's... sort of working? Speeding up the rotting process.*

Griffen Aston: Calm eyes slide to her, and he nods. "Thank you. I will handle the rest." He reaches into a pocket, drawing forth a small sprig of herb, and he places it in the corpse's mouth.

Griffen Aston: 4,5,10,6,

Griffen Aston: 9,3,6,5,

Griffen Aston: 7,9,7,8,

Griffen Aston: 2,2,5,5,

Abbey Randelle: *her hankercheifs are folded properly, tucked in a coat pocket, secure. she reards Griffen with cool eyes, pointed porceloin face calm*

Griffen Aston: He puts his hand over the corpse's mouth, focusing and letting the herb do it's work, finishing the decaying process that Abbey started.

Robert Wright: *And the herb seems to do its work. The body moves much faster now, allowing the boy to rest.*

Abbey Randelle: *she slings the epee back into its casem folding delicate hands in front of her as she surveys the room now that evil statues no longer need broken*

Griffen Aston: He remains there into the body is dust, and stands up, looking at Abbey. "Thank you for your help, Miss Randelle. It is very much appreciated."

Abbey Randelle: *she inclines her head barely. white hair moving in indication that..yes. ..she did nod* My pleasure Mr. Aston. It was most fortunate we happened into one another. I regret i was unable to prevent the marauder's escape. *a soft murmer as she levels her eyes on him*

Griffen Aston: He offers a very thin smile...a grand show of support for him. "Quite all right, Miss Randelle. We will have another opportunity. Has anyone discussed the plan that is currently being disucssed?"

Abbey Randelle: the existing plan? *she looks about the room before murmering* Perhaps we might away to a more secure location before discussing such sir? Or do you suspect it is secure enough for detail?

Abbey Randelle: *nice big room, even her polite murmer carries nicely*

Griffen Aston: He glances around, then nods to her. "No, you are right. Let us be away from here, madame."

Abbey Randelle: *she moves with him out the broken window, long fluid strides eating up the distance to her little saturn*

Griffen Aston: And behind her he follows, of to a safer location, with a last glance to the dust on the floor. Another child dead because of Robert. His jaw hardens, and then, he's gone.