Michelle Morgan: The apartment is in SoHo, an upscale place with the buzzer security, spacious apartments, patios, the whole works. She pulls up to a parking garage, driving in and killing the engine.

Terry O'Brian: *Terry is rather impressed, he looks around at everything*

Michelle Morgan: She gets out and heads for the door to the complex proper, hitting the car alarm as she does. "C'mon...we've got some stairs to cover."

-> Michelle Morgan: 5,6,9,7,4,1,7,8,

Terry O'Brian: *follows her* "How many flights?"

Michelle Morgan: "Four." She smiles at him, moving into the building and startin the climb up the flights. "The movers hated my ass."

Terry O'Brian: "No elevators?"

Michelle Morgan: "Yeah, but I have a thing about elevators. Seen too many movies where they fall and crash. Gives me the wiggins."

Terry O'Brian: "Ahh...I guess that makes sense." *nods*

Michelle Morgan: "Besides, the exercise does me good." She semi-jogs her way up the stairs, making it to floor four while moving slow enough for Terry to keep pace.

Terry O'Brian: *just follows along, at least trying to meet whatever pace Michelle sets*

Michelle Morgan: Once up, she unlocks the door and moves into the apartment, which is as spacious as the place looks to have. It's kept fairly clean, with a living room with all sorts of stereo euipment, nice kitchen, and two bedrooms, both doors shut. A quitar and music stand is set up near the window, with an ashtray nearby it. As she opens the door, a kitten comes up, rubbing along her legs. She smiles and picks the cat, chuckling. "Hey, Sprout. How're you, hon?" She steps aside to let Terry in.

Terry O'Brian: *heads in, and looks around* "Nice place..."

Michelle Morgan: She smiles, shutting the door behind them. "Thanks." She moves in, petting the kitten a little before setting her down next to the couch. She moves into the kitchen. "Something to drink?"

Terry O'Brian: "No thanks." *he looks around for a place to sit down*

Michelle Morgan: She makes herself an Acapulco Zombie, then moves to the couch, sitting down. "So. Arlett tells me that you've got a unique situation?"

Jeff Rogers: He taps on the door, just twice.

Terry O'Brian: "I have no idea...she seemed to be telling me that it wasn't so unique." *shrugs*

Michelle Morgan: She raises her eyebrow at the tapping on the door, and stands again, moving to the door. "Excuse me, Terry." She looks through the peephole.

Jeff Rogers: He gives a cheery wave at the peephole.

Terry O'Brian: *he just sits wherever it is that he found to sit and waits*

Michelle Morgan: She blinks. "What the fuck?" Another glance to Terry, then she opens the door a little. "Evening."

Jeff Rogers: "Evening. You seem to be wanting to discuss things that shouldn't be discussed in public. I can't help but feel left out."

Michelle Morgan: She raises an eyebrow. "How did you get in here?"

Jeff Rogers: "I don't do interrogations on doorsteps. Either you let me in, or I take my secrets away with me." He grins amiably.

Terry O'Brian: *sits where he is, rather confused* ((while his player beats his internet connection into submission...back to stable access on monday...))

Michelle Morgan: She watches him a moment, then sighs, opening the door for him. "C'mon in, then. Can't let something that intriguing pass me by."

Jeff Rogers: He nods and steps into the apartment, nodding to Terry. "Yo."

Terry O'Brian: "Hi." *gives a friendly smile and a wave* ((Troo, you need Terry's DD?))

Jeff Rogers: ((Please))

Terry O'Brian: DD>The first thing that can be noticed is the hair. Unevenly cut, and rather shaggy, it looks like it may be blonde, but it’s dirty enough that even that much is uncertain. He has a well-formed face, though. If he cleaned himself up, he could be fairly attractive. His clothing is rather ratty, there are enough holes in it that even on some spring and early summer nights, he must get no warmth from them. Rather short, and thin, he looks to be about 16 or 17, though shorter than most people that age. Though overall, he deflects the eye, there is one thing that draws it: his unfailingly friendly smile. (Arcane 2, suppressed at the moment)

Jeff Rogers: He grins to Terry and slips off his backpack, letting it hang in one hand as he moves to sit beside him.

Michelle Morgan: She shuts the door and moves back to the couch. "Okay, folks...introductions time."

Jeff Rogers: "Jeff."

Terry O'Brian: "I'm Terry."

Michelle Morgan: "And I'm Michelle Morgan. Last names would be good, folks." She looks to Jeff. "And, perhaps now, if you would be nice enough to tell me how you got in?"

Jeff Rogers: "Hey, Terry." He grins again at the kid and offers his hand like this situation is totally normal.

Terry O'Brian: *shakes Jeff's hand* "Nice meetin' ya."

Jeff Rogers: "You too. You often hook up with pretty Rock babes?"

Terry O'Brian: "First time. But then again, I'm new to the city."

Jeff Rogers: "Oh, you're going to love it here." He breams brightly, then lifts a finger to Michelle. "I didn't get a birthday present yesterday, so I thought I'd pinch something. You looked rich." He's blatantly lying. Well, about the theft part anyway.

Michelle Morgan: She chuckles a little. "Well, I didn't know it was your birthday yesterday. Shoulda told me."

Jeff Rogers: "You never asked." He grins, then sets the backpack down and leans back, crossing his legs idly. "I got an early present from the Technocracy."

Terry O'Brian: "I'm enjoying it so far." *he smirks, and watches the conversation between Michelle and Jeff for a bit*

Michelle Morgan: A blink at that. "Pardon?"

Jeff Rogers: "Yeah. They very kindly decided to steal my Chantry out from under me. But they let me live, so I'll take that as a gift." He purses his lips thoughtfully. "Mind you, I had to run for my life before they shot me, so... maybe more a blessing than a gift. Hey... Wait a minute!" He sits up, mock-outraged. "They didn't get me no present at all!"

Terry O'Brian: *blinks, completely lost*

Jeff Rogers: He jerks a thumb at Terry, adding "He's new to this, right?"

Michelle Morgan: "Shit." She frowns deeply. "You're not talking Madame Ling's, or I woulda heard about that...you don't look like the Elements type, and based off your hint yesterday...Fortress?"

Jeff Rogers: He nods. "The place is an arsenal, with a node the size of my head. And it's now in their hands."

Michelle Morgan: A nod. "That's what it seems like, yeah." A smile to Terry. "We'll explain in a second, Terry."

Terry O'Brian: "Umm...excuse me...the who?"

Terry O'Brian: ((DLP)) *he nods quietly*

Michelle Morgan: "Fuck. Fuck, fuckin'....god dammit." She shakes her head, pulling a cigarette. "This is...not good. At all." A look to Jeff. "Anyone else get out?"

Jeff Rogers: "Well on the bright side, there was nobody else there. The wards must've started breaking down for them to find it, and for you to even remember it exists."

Michelle Morgan: "That's good, at least. That no one else was there." She shakes her head. "This is bad fucking news. The Union'd been leaving us alone for the most part, up to now. If they're on the move again, taking Chantries...shit."

Jeff Rogers: He nods, then looks to Terry. "You're a mage. You got phemonomena.. pheromonal... HUGE powaz at your fingertips. The bad guys are called the Technocracy, which means exactly what the name suggests, being the prefix "techno" with "cracy" on the end. They like to kill mages."

Jeff Rogers: He faces Michelle, leaning forward, whispering loudly "He is a mage, right?"

Terry O'Brian: *blinks* "Hold on...what do you mean I'm a mage? You mean like the guys in the movie with the staffs and stuff?"

Jeff Rogers: "Oh yeah, totally. Big sticks, glowing spells, the works!" Grins.

Michelle Morgan: "Yeah, he is." She nods. "I've pretty well got confirmation on that...was just getting to the final test." She smiles at Terry, a little tersely--which is understandable, considering Jeff's bombshell news. "You up for a quick taste-test of sorts?"

Terry O'Brian: "Umm...I guess...how do you mean 'taste-test'?" *seems a tad nervous*

Jeff Rogers: "Careful, she's going to kiss you. Back off, lady, he's too young for tonsil hockey."

Michelle Morgan: A quick glance goes Jeff's way, eyes curious. "Good guess." She stands up and moves to Terry, grinning a little. "Don't make this out to be more then it is...just met you, after all. And you are a bit young for me." She leans down, pressing her lips against his.

Michelle Morgan: 8,3,5,

Jeff Rogers: "HEY!" He shoves his hand up in front of Michelle's lips, fast. "You ever thought of asking for consent?"

Jeff Rogers: ((You want an init rolloff to see if his hand gets there before her lips do? *G*))

Michelle Morgan: ((Sure. *G*))

Jeff Rogers: 5,

Michelle Morgan: 7,

Jeff Rogers: ((11))

Michelle Morgan: ((13))

Jeff Rogers: So he jabs her in the cheek instead, but his words stand.

Terry O'Brian: *and despite there being some warning, he's caught rather offguard*

Jeff Rogers: He springs to his feet, disgusted at Michelle's behaviour, grabbing his backpack and slinging it over his shoulders.

Michelle Morgan: She leans back, sighing and looking at Jeff as she rubs her cheek a little. "He said he guessed so to the test, Jeff. It was all made pretty obvious before I made my move, so to speak. And he always has the option to pull his head and say no."

Jeff Rogers: "Yeah. That's how Nephandi begin. 'Oh he could've stopped me if he really wanted to...'" He presses his lips together tightly.

Terry O'Brian: *blinks* "Umm...ok...did you confirm whatever it is you wanted to confirm?" *he's a tad redder than he was a moment ago, but seems to be recovering quickly* ((1/2 hour warning...I really should get to bed before the rest of my family starts waking up...))

Michelle Morgan: She looks to Terry, smiling a bit. "I'm sorry if that was unwanted, sweetie." And a roll of the eyes to Jeff. "That was SO not the point. I do apologize for my forwardness, though."

Jeff Rogers: "He's barely fucking legal, Morgan. What's he going to do? Say no? You looked at yourself lately?" He shakes his head in disgust, and looks to Terry. "I'd leg it if I were you, mate."

Terry O'Brian: "Someone that I do know I trust told me that she was who to go to in order to get answers...and I want to know what's going on."

Michelle Morgan: "Yeah, Terry, I did. You are ddefinitely Awakened...a mage." She sighs and looks to Jeff. "Jeff, please. An error in judgment, maybe. I didn't mean anything by it, and you are right. My mistake."

Jeff Rogers: He nods. "Fair enough. Can't say I didn't warn you." He heads to the door.

Jeff Rogers: His head turns in Michelle's direction, so it's possible he's looking at her. "Your people say consent is king. Your people insist on it as a central tenet. Your people would be as disgusted with you right now as I am."

Terry O'Brian: *just watches the conversation, completely lost and trying to grab hold of concepts and words to ask about later*

Michelle Morgan: "Yes, I know that." She shrugs helplessly. "I've already said it was my mistake, and I know I fucked up."

Jeff Rogers: "Not my problem. It's yours. You get to evaluate yourself and decide whether the path you're sliding down is the one you really want to be on. Who knows, it might not be too late for you." He snerks slightly and opens the door.

Michelle Morgan: "Where are you staying? Or rather, are you safe?" She frowns, concern showing through. "If the Black Hats are possibly searching for you, I can try and find you a safe place to stay..."

Jeff Rogers: "I'd rather not take a safehouse from you, if it's all the same." He smiles affably, and nods to Terry. "Good luck." Then he slips out, closing the door behind himself.

Terry O'Brian: "Umm...thanks...I guess..." *watches as Jeff leaves*

Michelle Morgan: A sigh as he leaves, then she looks to Terry, smiling a little apologetically. "Yeah. So." She moves to sit down in her chair opposite the couch Terry's on, sighing. "Welcome to the wonderful world of the Awakened."

Jeff Rogers: He runs down the stairs, two at a time, pacing himself evenly to get out as fast as he can without pushing his body into anaerobic mode.

Terry O'Brian: "Umm...is there some sort of pamphlet or something? I know all the other little religions have them, but I think that one for this group might actually be useful...what were all those words you people were using? And what's a 'Black Hat'...sounded like you were referring to a group."

Michelle Morgan: "Black Hats is a nickname for the Technocracy. The Union, Technocracy, Black Hats...all the same." She smiles a little. "Black Hats just rolls off the tongue better. And sadly, no pamphlets. We don't typically advertise. I can explain all the groups to you, if you'd like."

Terry O'Brian: "That sounds good...so the Technocracy is some other group that whatever group you and Jeff...and I'm going to guess Arlett...are in doesn't get along so well with?"

Michelle Morgan: "Correct." She leans back, watching him. "There's four basic groups of mages, all with very different ideas about magic. The Traditions--where Jeff, Arlett and I are--the Technocracy, the Nephandi, and the Marauders. Let's start with the Technocracy. They are mages who don't believe that what they do is magic, really...it's Technology. They're goal is to eliminate all threats to the world by wiping out all the rest of us mages and making everyone exactly the same. Think 1984, or THX-1197."

Terry O'Brian: *both references seem lost on him, but he seems to get the gist of things* "Ok...but Arlett said that the way she does things is by science...wouldn't that make her part of this Technocracy?" *seems to be rather confused about what Arlett means by how she does things*

Michelle Morgan: She sighs, smiling a little. "Well, here's where it gets complex. Arlett is from a Tradition--note that I said 'Traditions' with an 's' before? There's nine groups within the Traditions. Anyway, Arlett's Tradition, a long while back, used to be part of the Technocracy, but saw the light. They know what they do is magic, more or less, but they still call it Science."

Terry O'Brian: *hesitates, then slowly nods* "Ok...I think I follow...so...each of these nine Traditions does things differently?"

Michelle Morgan: "Very." She smiles. "My tradition, the Cult of Ecstacy, is all about breaking past the boundaries we've set for ourselves to attain a higher consciousness. Arlett's uses science. The Verbena are old-style, blood and power pagans. Akashics use Zen philosophy and the like. And so on."

Terry O'Brian: "Ok...slow down...it's early in the morning now, and that's a lot of new words to throw around..." ((I need to go soon...6 AM local time...))

Michelle Morgan: She smiles. "I know it is, Terry. I wasn't throwing those out for retention...just showing you the differences among us all."

Terry O'Brian: "Ok...so there's a lot of different little groups that do things." *nods, trying to make sure he remembers this*

Terry O'Brian: "Am I automatically in some group, do I pick, or do they recruit me?"

Michelle Morgan: "Essentially, yes. It all kind of depends on how our magic works, and what we believe. Consider them different religions, without the guilt. Well, besides the Celestial Chorus, who really ARE a religion, kind of."

Michelle Morgan: "You can choose a group...you may be recruited by some, possibly. You can even choose no group, if you want."

Terry O'Brian: "Ok." *nods, and sits for a moment thinking* "So when do I get to learn this magic stuff?"

Michelle Morgan: She smiles. "Well, I think you probably already know some. Have you wanted something to happen...something that just couldn't or shouldn't happen...and it did, to your surprise?"

Terry O'Brian: "Once or twice."

Michelle Morgan: "That was probably magic." She smiles.

Terry O'Brian: "Ok...so then what about more control of variety? Like...what was it that you did to me when you kissed me that made you sure I was a mage?"

Michelle Morgan: She nods. "That'll come, Terry. What I did was...well, try not to get too confused her. But in a general sesne, what I did is scanned what most mages call your Avatar...your higher self. My people, the Cult of Ecstacy, call it the Muse, because it inspires you, and enables you to do magic, once it has Awakened within you."

Terry O'Brian: *considers this for a moment* "This is going to require studying, isn't it?"

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: She laughs a little. "That depends on what tradition you join, if any. Some groups are all about studying. Others don't. The Cult, for example, is all about life lessons and experience."

Terry O'Brian: "Well, I had meant just to figure out what everything is, before learning to do magic...and should I be at all worried that even you guys call yourselves a cult?"

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: "Not at all. What is a cult, but a group with belief that are outside the norm?" She smiles. "All mages have beliefs outside the norm, because the norm believes that magic doesn't exist."

Terry O'Brian: "Ok, as long as no one asks me to drink the kool-aid." *he smirks* "Is it reasonable to like, try out a few of the little groups before picking one?"

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: "Absolutely." She nods. "Look around, talk to other mages, get their take on things before you make up your mind. Don't join anything until you believe it's a fit for you, Terry."

Terry O'Brian: "You know anyone who'd be good go-to people to get perspectives on things? I'm going to guess that any questions I have about this Cult thingy you should be able to answer."

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: A nod. "I can answer questions about us Ecstatics, sure. As for others..." She thinks. "Arlett is an Etherite...the Scientists, like I mentioned. I know an Akashic...the Zen Buddhist types; a Dreamspeaker...spirit shamans; and a fair amount of others. I can possibly get you a meeting to speak with the Hermetics...they're high-ritual, Aleister Crowley types."

Terry O'Brian: "Who?" *upon hearing 'Aleister Crowley'*

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: "Nutty guy who wrote a bunch of books about high ritual during the early nineteenth scentury. Diary of a Drug Fiend, Book of Lies, Magick: Liber Aba, stuff like that."

Terry O'Brian: *shrugs* "Never heard of him. So how many groups are there?"

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: "Within the Traditions? Nine and a half." She smirks a little. "One is semi-included, but kind of not. Personally, I think they should be, but I don't decide mage policy, so..." She shrugs.

Terry O'Brian: "Ok...and you said there were three groups other than the traditions...one sounded like fascists or something, but you never described the other two."

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: She nods, sighing. "The other two are REAL bad news. The Maruaders are mages who have been driven insane by their own power. All mages alter reality to get what they want...that's what magic is, after all. Making the impossible possilble Marauders literally warp reality around them unconsciously to fit reality to their own distorted view of what the world is."

Terry O'Brian: "Dangerous psycopaths. Got it." *nods*

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: "And worst of all...the Nephandi." She shivers a little. "Mages, for the most part, have a goal. We call it Ascension...ultimate enlightenment, you could say. Becoming one with the universe, or what have you. And most of us want to help others Ascend, to make the world a better place. The Nephandi have the opposite goal. They want to destroy everything. They serve monsters, dark Gods, and Things That Should Not Be. They live for corruption and destruction."

Terry O'Brian: *he doesn't frown...he almost never does though* "Ok...so they're bad news too." *nods* "And earlier you and that Jeff guy were talking about this...Technocracy? is that the right word? And they attacked him and his friends? Have I fallen into the middle of a gang war or something?"

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: "Not exactly...kind of, I guess you could say." She lights a cigarette, tossing them between them, as if to offer him one, if he's interested. "The Technocracy are the fascists, as you put it, that I talked about before. They want to make everything the same...make it all sterile and uniform. To do that, they have to get rid of all of us 'Reality Deviants,' as they put it. All of us wild-card mages." She smiles. "So they've been trying to exterminate us for centuries."

Terry O'Brian: "No thanks." *waves away the cigarette* "So...do I just get drafted, and is there a paycheck?"

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: "No paycheck, no." She chuckles. "And, like I said, what you choose, or if you choose a Tradition at all, is up to you. I'd suggest against the Technocracy, Nephandi, or Marauders, unless you like their dogmas, in which case I don't think we can be friends." She grins a bit, exhaling a cloud of smoke away from the kid.

Terry O'Brian: "Couldn't hurt to ask. Big secret organization might be able to afford to pay it's people." *smirks again, but then shrugs as he speaks* "The Traditions seem like it's the group that seems the sanest to me."

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: She nods. "That's what I like to think." She winks. A moment's pause, as she looks at him. "So where are you staying?"

Terry O'Brian: "Small apartment downtown."

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: She nods. "With your parents?"

Terry O'Brian: "Nope, just me and my sister."

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: "Ahh." She quirks a brow ever-so-slightly. "How old is she?"

Terry O'Brian: "Fifteen." *shrugs*

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: "Staying there legally, or not?" She doesn't seem to making judgment, whichever it is.

Terry O'Brian: "Well...I pay rent, but I'm pretty sure that there's something not quite legal going on." *shrugs*

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: She nods to that. "Well, if something happens and you ever need a place to stay, give me a ring. I'll be happy to help you and your sister out."

Terry O'Brian: "Thanks." *nods* "I'll keep that in mind."

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: "Of course." She smiles a bit, getting up and walking to the ashtray by the window to stub the cigarette out. "So. What else can I answer for you?"

Terry O'Brian: "I'm not sure...I've got a lot to absorb." *thinks a bit* "You have any recommendations on what I do next?"

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: "Well, I'll get you in contact with some of the other groups, let you talk to them. You might also want to join one of the Chantries...um...consider a Chantry like a place that some of us mages congregate at to accomplish goals or get protection. There's three in town...one is Hermetic-only, the other two are non-Tradition specific. I'm a Deacon...a leader and teacher, at one of them, Haven. The other is run by a good friend of mine and a friend of hers. I can introduce you around." She pauses. "Also, has anyone told you about the Treaty?"

Terry O'Brian: "Arlett said something about no one being allowed to fight in Battery Park..." *shrugs*

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: She nods. "There's a Treaty here in New York City...mages aren't the only more-then-natural things out there. Werewolves, vampires, and even demons are in this city. The Treaty provides for protection, forbidding members of one group from fighting members of another. So mages can only get into it with mages, werewolves with werewolves, et cetera. It also means no using magic south of Liberty street, which is the Neutral zone."

Terry O'Brian: "Whoa...by werewolves and vampires and demons...you mean literal stuff-of-nightmares people?"

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: She nods. "Welcome to the world that most people don't know exists, Terry." She smiles faintly.

Terry O'Brian: ((has Terry conveniently no think to ask about the logistics of "how are there so many and no one knows?"...)) "Ok...so they have some sort of guarantee that the...Nephandi? will abide by this, and so with the Technocracy and Maurauders?"

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: "The Technocracy, yes. They're Treaty members, too." She shrugs ruefully. "Nephandi and Marauders...no. Luckily, there's none of them in the city that we know of. Soon as we find out, we usually try to get rid of them."

Terry O'Brian: "So then...I only need to worry about these other mages, and mostly not south of Liberty?"

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: "Pretty much." She nods. "There's always the chance someone might break the treaty, but it doesn't happen often. The Neutral Party that runs the Treaty usually deals with offenders pretty swiftly. If you like, I can set up a meeting with the Concerto Club manager to talk to you more about the Treaty, and see if you want to join it."

Terry O'Brian: "Umm...that sounds like it might be a good idea. Either way, I'm going to try not to piss off freaking vampires, werewolves and demons! Hell, I'm going to try to keep as many mages on good terms with me as possible."

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: She grins. "Good plan. I'll call the Concerto and set it up for you, then."

Terry O'Brian: "Ok...thanks. So you can introduce me to the people that I need to know, you said...what do you want in exchange?"

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: She shrugs. "Beyond not making the location of my home too terribly public, nothing. This is kind of what I do, Terry, outside of my day job as a liberal talk radio host and rock chick. I'm a Deacon...I help the mages in this city as best as I can. It's not something I need anything in payment for."

Terry O'Brian: *seems rather surprised* "Really? Thanks." *rather enthusiastically on the thanks*

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: She grins a little. "No problem, Terry. Happy to help."

Terry O'Brian: "Ok...now it's getting a bit late...could you give me a ride home?"

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: She nods. "Of course." She moves from the window, grabbing a jacket and moving to grab her keys.

Terry O'Brian: ((alrighty, shall we call it a night then? Thanks for the RP))

Michelle Morgan [June 5th]: ((Sure thing...thanks for the RP, man.))