Nightshade

"Drinks and dinner later, Vic," Jessica said stepping ever closer, "though your interest in magic can be rewarded right now." She spoke an arcane word that sounded like 'Pride' in the mortal tongue but with so much spirit static that it didn't even sound human. Her hand was wrapped in chaotic wispy smoke tendrils. "Before we get you all rich and famous, let's clean you up a bit. I can take your lungs and make them like new," she said looking Vic in the eyes, hovering her hand between their chests. "Consider it a freebie. And if you're still interested later - after we clear this investigation - I can take you on as an apprentice." She grinned slyly, "well, after dinner and drinks."

Jessica poured over the pictures while Vic chowed down on breakfast sandwiches, as arranged. The orange woman wasn't directly in focus, but it did make her question. The other pictures of the people and the place were helpful too. It looked like they were going down the rabbit hole. She looked to Vic, "is this all you have? Pictures," she asked trying to pick Vic's mind, "any other intel? I'm still here for you, I just need to know what I'm working with." She smiled, "who I'm working with," striding slowly towards the voracious woman. From what Jessica knew about Lemuria, the snake metaphors were a warning siren. She wasn't about to get bit if the reporter was snake.

So, the woman looks like a one of her kind, or an actual devil, or just a bad cosplayer?

Initiative: 1d20+3 10

Jessica looked at the fleeing crowd, "I'd say they're getting themselves out pretty good." She looked over at the two fake hosses and rolled her eyes, "oh come on," she jeered, "that's too cartoonish. And I'm a technicolor person!" She took the last few bites of the burger an killed the soda before standing up. Jack's show of intimidation even made her stop for a moment. She smiled and walked over to him, leaning on his side. Looking at the drugged up behemoths, "I'd do what the big man says before he rips your poser heads off. But then again, you don't want to know what's behind door number two," she flexed one arm in a non-serious manner.

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Int Check: 1d20+2 8 I'll reroll that. Int Check: 1d20+2 21 Yeah! Smarts.

Well, that wasn't expected at all. The chain of logical events laid out in Jessica's mind. "If you're hungry still, I have a couple of egg muffin sandwiches I picked up on the way here," Jessica pointed at her car, "you eat and I'll take a look at those pictures." She laughed as Vic played her up, "sorry, not that kind of demon. Close enough though! No horns or wings either," she grinned.

The red skin was not a secret, but there were people still shocked to know that she was a different shade. It amused Jessica. "And you're a sight yourself," she smirked when the woman complimented her. She nodded when Vic described the magazine. Most of it was rubbish, but enjoyable still the same. Every blue moon they got something right, and even that was misinformed. Jessica smiled at Vic's verbal faux pas, "yeah, I get used to it. So, you think you have a demon of my sorts on the loose? Some snake sorcerers?" She looked over at the meat processing place, pulling out her phone she snapped a few shots were Vic pointed out. It wasn't going to be professional quality, but enough for evidence hopefully. She looked to Vic, "so, what's our stake in this? We go in forthwith and make them answer questions or do we do some sneak work?" She put her phone and her hands in her hoodie pockets, "You're more an investigator than me, dear. Teach me your ways."

Gather Information: 1d20+4 13 Nope. Arcane Lore: 1d20+10 20 For more information on Lemuria

Jessica rarely left the city. After living in the middle of nowhere for most of her life, she wanted to go somewhere big and full of people. Freedom was her first choice, but New York, Philly, Boston, they were all around. So when she was told to meet at the edge of nowhere. Well, she groaned. But hey, information. The ever constant. Arcanus Arcanum was one of the few dead tree publications she read. When Vic Vasquez asked for help, she jumped at the chance. "With a high of 32, bundle up, you're going to need," the radio clicked off. Jessica never needed to know the weather. Radio was just to keep her alert. She got off of work, dressed - jeans and a pullover hoodie that both flattered her form - and drove out to the agreed meeting place. Parking on the side of the road, she got out of her car and waved to Vic. "Hello, Vic," Jessica saw her breath. Cold. She was glad she never had to feel this. "I'm Jessica Witchblood. For what do I owe the pleasure of this early morning rendezvous?"

Yeah i guess i'll spend the hero point then

It Ice Snared, I escaped. It summoned, I dispelled.

Wait, so did I go before or after it went?

Attack demontree: 1d20+10 22 Nullify Magic: 1d20+10 18

Serena's love for her cat put her in precarious situations before, but none this dangerous! Which is saying something, as she and Jessica had been friends for a long time. Jessica winced when the 'tree' came to life. She was damn sure Coco was doomed now. But the girls had to get Serena away from the terrible timber. And what friends they were as if they snapped into action. Trudy, for whatever insensitiveness she had, made up for it in bravery. Jessica was going to make that woman's night if she got out of this. Jessica was not fast enough to dodge the tree's breath, but desperate times called for desperate measure! It stung as the fire burned the ground around her. But she was free and could help. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Grandmother Wilow. But you've stolen my best friend's cat and have attacked us. So for you, your queen, and all of your buddies here, have a nice cup of GTFO." The next word out of her mouth sounded like 'Wrath' to mortal ears, but something about it sizzled, cracked in ways that mortals would never understand. A wispy blue-greenish thing - what looked like an undulating mass - appeared. Jessica pushed it towards the tree, boring itself into the demon topiary. "You want me, termite buffet," she said rising above the ground, "you can come have me." She looked to the group of friends, "get out of here," she shooed them away.

Of course she was oblivious to anything to anything but her date. Was this a date? Friendly conversation with a stranger. Sure, we'll go with that. Dates are more formal. Then again, she did fight a tree while on a random one. The mention of spirits caught her. Shamanistic spirits were a whole different kettle of fish than what she dealt with. elemental spirits. weather spirits, animal spirits. She couldn't count them all, she didn't practice the art. But her spirits, the carnal spirits, would probably be something totally different in Jack's grandfather's purview. Mystics of all clan and clade were around this city. If you threw a stone, you'd probably hit three. And most likely piss them off. She shook her head when mentioned soul stealing, "nah, the whole soul stealing thing is for the bigger guys. I mean I could try, but it's dangerous." She crossed her hands into a simple arcane gesture of protection. "Never mind if I succeeded, it's if I failed that it would be much worse than if I succeeded." She looked at the burger she took ad then to Jack, "besides. I like you. Where would be the fun in a soulless friend?" She took the compliments with a light laugh, "flattery will get you everywhere," she said before he got up to go get a drink. The pile of burgers was lessened as the voracious bear man had had a few to her one. She looked over at the kid who made remarks about her looks, enjoying his burger with his mother. Oh well, at least that kid had less things on his mind to worry about. It didn't take long for Jack to get the soda, "thanks," she said before taking a couple and digging into the second burger.

Going to burn my way out. Reflex: 1d20+8-4 11 Toughness: 1d20+10 16 So she fails the Reflex, but being half immune to fire would make the save DC 12 or DC 20? Once I get an answer I'll post. Sorry, kinda new to this system.

This was ot an uncommon thing. Her skin drew stares and comments from people of all ages. Sometimes she let it bleed in to the background noise, but every so often she'd hear one. Kids were the best, they didn't know who to not like until they were told. This was a more black and white part of the world. Bad people did bad things, and good did good. She was one of those outliers. In this situation. Chewing on a burger, talking with a living statue. She had no time for the Sesame Street gallery. Which was funny, because that kid's favorite character was probably red as her. The big man was out pacing her on the food, but she could eat another one or two. "Polar bear. That would explain the white hair," she said between bites of the burger. The guy was visually striking in other places that his body. Melting pot country and all, but he looked fresh off the boat. The accent she loved so much told that at least. "Me," she said after finishing the last bite. She let out a satisfied sigh before wiping her hands and mouth, these things were quite juicy. "I'm of more infernal stock. Not actually a demon, but I do bear resemblance after some ancient relatives made some, let's say, odd decisions." She put her hand on another burger in the pile, staring at Jack, "do you mind if I get some of your soda? These things do tend to build up."

Reflex: 1d20+8 18

Notice: 1d20+2 13

One of those gentlemanly gestures. It was something she rarely got. Quaint. The burger she grabbed was no triple stack with fried monster onions, but Original BurgerShack did not skimp on the meats. Besides it was free, and there was possibly more if the big man didn't devour them all before she got a second or third one. Still she was happy to get one free. She took a bite of the burger. Everything about it tasted right. Meat. Bread. The uncooked onions. Even the condiments. All blended together as one as she swallowed. She heard the assumption of her profession. It almost elicited a laugh, but she wiped her mouth and smiled pretty. "I get that a lot," she said with pride, "and yeah. You could say that." She didn't know this man from Adam - though God could take some molding from this guy, she wouldn't mind. Not that she was shy about her occupation, just not something she revealed in 'polite' conversation. "So, Jack. You look like you were born and raised in a gym. Not a bad thing. Not bad at all," she said complimenting him. It wasn't a question, but it was something for him to go off of, while she took another bite of this delicious burger. Which now she noticed, she didn't have a drink.

That accent. That body. Unf. He made her forget about her stomach for a bit. "Oh really," she smiled back. He just offered her food. And he was built like a tank. "Well, you have my gratitude then," she said following him to sit down. Surely one of these burgers would be her favorite, triple stack with fried monster onions. She sat as he did. She was more dressed than the big man, but not by much. fitting jeans and an equally fitting pullover hoodie herself. She tried to keep up looks of seasonal 'normal', which is why she enjoyed summer a lot more. "I'm Jessica," she said reaching out her hand. With the other hand she pulled a burger off the top, whether he noticed or not. "And you must be a saint."

Cheat day. This was it. Working out, counting calories. It gave her a great body for the stage. But today? She had a list of places to go. Original BurgerShack was something she craved. Here she was looking at her list. A text came through, it was a few of the girls. Tonight at the Scarlet Sash. Jessica said she'd be there to watch, but was taking the night off. This line was taking forever, Jessica thought. Some big guy with a nice looking build was apparently getting his fill. Some times Jessica though with things other than her head. This time it was with her stomach. "Down in front," she spoke up, waving at Jack, "we'd like food too!"

Initiative: 1d20+3 11 So, should I post or wait for initiative?