Log:Sacred Heart

His Father's Son 2015/03/24 Hunter Matt Raven Sasha

3

Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart is a solid three story brick building with basement and attic that was once a private religious high school associated with the ruined church. Old graffiti covers the lower third of the building but there are few new tags. The first-floor windows and basement windows are narrow as arrow slits but the higher floors have huge bay windows that promise plenty of natural light. Wide stone steps lead up to an arched doorway filled with a stout oak door.

The foyer of the school has a stone floor that spills out into the cavernous main hall. The first floor has three huge rooms which were a gym (with a pool beneath the retractable floor), library (two stories tall), and dining room, a small warren of offices, two bathrooms, and an industrial-grade kitchen with freezer and pantry off the dining room. The twenty classrooms on the upper two floors are large and can have sunshine streaming in through big windows. Ten classrooms and two bathrooms are located on each of the upper two floors. The upper level of the library opens onto the second floor and there is a chapel located on the third floor.

A large 'sunlight' (garden level, half buried) basement filled with pipes, furnaces, boilers and storage spaces, as well the lower level of the pool, stretches beneath the building.

Hunter texted Matt to meet him in Harrisburg near the Church ruins and to bring Amelia along. The other night he had told Matt he would try to get Sasha to work with them on what they can do to help. He's leaning against the wall of the church at the appointed meeting time, looking rather sullen.

The wind whips through their hair as they fly from Amelia's place. Its a bit across town, but its not too far for them and Harrisburg is familiar territory now. Together Matt and Amelia land lightly at the Church ruins. Hand in hand, they land, "Talk to me." he says, especially after the news he ws given last night.

"I was hoping you two could work with Sasha to come up with a plan to help him," Hunter replies in a depressed sounding voice. He pushes off of the church ruin walls, and shockingly, it doesn't crumble away or collapse despite its destroyed state. "Follow me," he motions and then turns away and starts walking, stuffing his hands in his black winter coat pockets.

Matt looks at Amelia a questioning look on his face, "After you 'Lia"

Amelia listens to Hunter and then looks in puzzlement at Matt, "Plan to help Sasha?" she asks. After a few steps following Hunter though, she halts and puts out a hand to stop Matt. "Hunter, that's the home of a powerful mage. I'm not allowed in there." she says.

Matt stops with Amelia, a little less gracefully, not expecting full stop..."Uh..yes, Sasha's in a bit of trouble.."

Hunter stops and lifts his head towards the school, then turns half way to look at Matt and Amelia. "It's okay, Amels," he smiles weakly. To say Hunter looks down in the dumps would be a huge understatement. He looks worried and tired behind the smile. "Trust me?"

Matt seems intrigued by the comment, and nods quickly, "Without question Brother."

There's no hesitation. Amelia simply nods to Hunter. "Okay." and resumes her progress. "Sasha's in trouble with the mage who lives here?" she askes Hunter. After a glance around to ensure they are unobserved she switches to whiteface. "Lead on."

As you approach, the three of you can see Sasha sitting on the stairs that lead to the front door. He seems to chain smoking cloves or so you would guess by the number of them at his feet. The youth looks up as you approach waving with his free hand.

Matt makes a quick motion and a small gust blows much of the smoke up and away. "Not quite right 'Lia. but you'll understand shortly."

"Well. I do kinda want to kick the butt of the mage who lives here," Hunter mutters while they're still out of Sasha's earshot. Or so he hopes. "But Sasha is in trouble. And he needs help that is out of my league. That's why I asked you two here. You're the people I trust for this sort of thing." As they draw closer, Hunter smiles at seeing Sasha and waves back to him. It's a forced smile for Sasha's benefit. "Hey, Sasha. Matt came to see what could be done to help you. And Amelia's come along too, but...I haven't had a chance to really talk to her about anything yet."

The Russian youth stands then says as he flicks his clove away. "Welcome to Sacred Heart, tovarisch." He starts to say something when Hunter speaks then cloes his mouth before nodding his head. Sasha then says, "I need to get a drop of blood from each of you, Amelia, Matt. So the defenses of the school will ignore you."

Matt frowns. "Uh..good luck." he proffers his hand, which..since his powers manifested has had the benefit of being very tough...

Raven also extends a hand, "Uh... likewise." she says. Since becoming the Chosen One her skin is close to impossible to penetrate.

Hunter glances at the pair of them. "Sasha...might know someone who can help with that," he murmurs shyly, not exactly sounding thrilled at this someone.

Sasha looks at Matt then Amelia for a moment then nods. "Well, I can draw the blood from Matt. But unless you can lower your defenses wards, it will be harder on you, Raven." To demonstrate, he reaches out and takes Matt by the wrist and turns Matt's hand palm up. Sasha murmurs softly in some language (Fae) and, after a moment, blood begins to weep from Matt's skin and pool in the cup of his palm.

Raven says, "I... uh... Sasha, I don't have any Wards cast. It's just a natural part of who I am. I think we're going to have to do it the hard way."

The youth then places his hand over Matt's open palm and murmurs in another language. This time the words somehow fail to register with you although you know he speaks. When he lifts his hand away, a plump blood red gemstone rests in Matt's hand.

Matt raises an eyebrow, "Gross...neat..but gross."

Raven seems more fascinated than anything else. "Blood magic? I've heard of it of course but never come across it before." she says.

Hunter just stands back and lets Sasha work his magic literally. He doesn't look surprised or awed. In fact, he's watching elsewhere, keeping an eye on their surroundings.

Sasha nods slightly. "Ziand taught me how to call the blood to make the bloodstones. The rest is, well, changing physcial structure of the blood without altering its intrinsic sympathy to the one it came from. Basically." He takes the bloodstone from Matt's hand." He then looks at Matt then Amelia. "Um, hmm, let me take Matt's bloodstone up and I'll bring back an athame." The youth then fades away as silver-blue light limns his body.

Matt isn't sure he understood any of that, He's an elementalist, not a magician. "As long as you understood all of that." he says, "Hunter...it will be ok. We'll figure it out, one way or another."

Hunter's attention gets pulled from an adjacent rooftop to Matt. "I'm sure you guys will," he says with a half smile. "And I'm sure he understands what he just said. Me? I got no clue."

Matt nods, "Great, then I'm not alone."

Raven says, "Whatever it is...? Hunter. I guess you want to wait for Sasha to get back before explaining?"

Matt nods, "Not my place to tell love. But I'm glad you're here."

"I mentioned it to Matt to some degree. I don't really understand all that," Hunter twirls his hand in an airy gesture, "Magic stuff and binding words. But Sasha's in trouble and he can't get out of it. Not yet. And I don't really know how much -he- wants me to tell. So...I'm waiting for him. But he need does need help. And more than what he's already got."

Raven nods, "I'm in." is what she says.

Sasha reappears oiut of a silvery-blue haze holding a sharp looking leaf shaped knife at his side. Its blade flashes a bright silver as he holds it up. "Would any of you care to try to cut Raven's palm with this? I need just a little blood and can heal the wound right after." He starts to say something else then, for some reason, blushes slightly. The youth then steps close to Amelia and asks very softly of Amelia, "Um, unless you your, um, monthly friend is visiting?"

Raven shakes her head blushing furiously, mumbling a scarely audible, "..no.."

Hunter blushes and rubs the back of his head. "Sasha," he mumbles scoldingly.

Matt chuckles..but offers to take the knife. "I'll do it." he says softly. "Love? are you ok with this?"

Raven nods and holds her hand out to Matt.

Sasha hands over the athame to Matt.

Matt purses his lips, obviously not happy with this, "Ok..let me know if you want me to stop.." He holds her hand with some strength, "Sasha..just a little right?" he says as he pushes the blade to the skin and slides it across the palm.."I'm sorry 'Lia." clearly pained as well.

Raven reaches up to Matt's cheek with her other hand and strokes it reassuringly, "This is nothing, Matt. A clean sharp edge. A vast improvement on a ichor dripping demon claw. I think you need to press harder though, unless the edge is enhannced."

Matt doesn't want to do this..but does. "For the record..I hate this." he presses harder..then much harder.

Hunter murmurs, "It sucks, but it only hurts a little."

Raven says, "I had to immolate myself once if you recall. Now that hurt. This? Nothing more than a pinprick."

Matt finally presses and slices as hard as he can..which does 2 things..one..create a small but significant slice, and break the blade at the same time..

Sasha watches somewhat impassively as Matt presses the athame into Raven's hand. But the casual calmness that Sasha usually affects is not present tonight for some reason. As the blade breaks, Sasha moves forward and squeezes gently on Raven's hand to get as much blood up as possible. Then then palces his hand over her wound and says those words that do not stick in your minds again. After a moment, the lifts his hand to reveal a smaller, but no less brialliant, blood red gemstone in her palm. He sighs then says, "Let me go put this upstairs and I will be right back. In fact, just cound to thirty, cousin, and bring them in." The youth then stpes back and disappears as his boyd is lined with silver-blue light again.

Hunter starts mentally counting. "You okay, Raven?" he asks quietly. "...sorry for putting you two through that..."

Raven holds her hand out for Sasha as he performs the blood ritual and then runs a finger along the cut sliced into her palm healing it. "Do I need to be ready to deal with the mage who lives here, Hunter? If so I hope we can resolve the situation peacefully. He was helpful the last time I saw him. Unsocial, but helpful."

Matt wasn't here for that. "What happened? Why were you told to never return?..And why are we back?..And who is this Mage?"

Matt's tones aren't too happy as it seems Raven might not really be welcome here.

Raven says, "His name is Bob the Mage." She shrugs, "Yeah, not an imposing sounding name. I was making my way around ever mage I knew of in the city getting information on the Thin Man. He gave me some useful help but told me never to return. I think he just didn't like anyone else here."

Hunter looks at Raven oddly as she talks about the mage. Of course...he knows exactly what she's referring to. He was there, as Enforcer. So he pretends to be clueless. "I don't know what mage you think lives here, but I don't think he's here anymore. C'mon." He turns around as his mental count hits thirty and walks up the steps of the school and pushes the front doors open. He steps aside and motions for Raven and Matt to enter. "It should be safe for you to enter now." He glances towards the nearby rooftops again cautiously.

The main entrance to the school is a cavernous two story room with stone floors. Sweeping dual staircases lead up to the second floor which is open to this floor below. A large counter stretches between the staircases with a few desks and chairs behind it. Underneath the staircases are boy's and girl's restrooms.

A tall thin but broad shouldered black kid stands behind the counter looking down at a PDA. His open face regsiters surprise when the front door opens but he smiles broadly as he spots Hunter. "Hullo Hunter," he says in a voice touched by the 'Burgs patois. "Who're yuir friends?"

Matt looks up at where hunter keeps watching..."What are you looking at?" he says allowing Amelia to go first, his hands begin to glow with power..some how he gets a little paranoid.

He seems to be about 12 or 13 but stands near to 5'10" already.

Raven steps inside and smiles at the boy. John. That was his name she recalls. But she was Amelia in the cafe. So she shows no signs of recognision. "Hello. I'm Raven and my friend is Matt. We're heroes." she tells John. "Who are you?"

Hunter just shakes his head and breaks contact with the roofs. "Just being paranoid." He closes the doors after Raven and Matt walk in, then raises a hand in greeting to the kid. "Hey, John. This is, umm. Regent and Raven. R and R, I guess." He sideglances at Matt. "Bro. Be dozy. It's safe here."

Matt looks one last time at the rooftops..but powers down. "..ok.." he looks at the boy/man "Hey..yeah, just Matt, Regent..geez, that was my dad.."

"I'm John." He then seems to remember something. "Um, guessing its OK for ya'll to be here since ya'll can see me and all. But there are a few rules: No fighting, no running less ya have to, and if ya make a mess clean it up or ya have to deal with Mad." He nod. "Yeah, that's it. Nice to meetcha by the by."

Matt looks hard at John..."John..nice to meet you too, but why wouldn't we be able to see you? Are you alive?" he thinks of his experience with sebatian..

The kid laughs. "No, well, maybe. It's just awful gloomy in here 'less yuir sposed to be here. Hard to see."

Raven says, "Matt, this place is warded. Highly warded. I'm guessing we have immunity because of the blood rituals, but if we didn't all we'd see is a gloomy empty abandoned ruin. I'm impressed. Very impressed."

Hunter gives Matt an 'are -you- for real?' look.

Matt nods slowly. "Oh..ok.." he feels stupid now. "sebatian..." he says simply...with a 'what??' look on his face.

A small lightly furred and rustically dressed humanoid fades into view next to Hunter. The little male beckons to Hunter then the other two present and starts to scurry towards the stairs.

Matt seems taken aback at first, he begins to draw power, but it is quickly gone as he realizes there is no threat.."This place is full of surprises.."

John just waves to the little creature and turns back to his PDA. He says, "Ya'll say Hi to Sasha for me."

Hunter waves to John. "Will do. Catch you later." He turns to follow the little humanoid, giving Matt a look again as he powers up, and then down. "Dude. Seriously. Dozy. I said you were safe here. Don't start trashing Sasha's home. Kids live here, man." He just shakes his head and starts up the stairs.

Raven says, "I will, John." she promises. Then as she starts to follow the lead of the domovoi she turns to ask Hunter, "This is Sasha's home isn't it? The youngsters I saw at the Neko Cafe live here too, don't they?"

Matt realizes he hasn't felt safe for a very long time...its an uncomfortable feeling to know, and worse yet to know how on the edge he really lives.

Hunter nods as the domovoi leads them on. "Yep, and yep. The place is warded to keep the kids safe. Sasha looks out for them and set up this place so they'd have a home."

Raven says, "When this trouble Sasha is in is fixed lets take a day out on Kiwi-X. We can unwind there."

"That...that would be nice," Hunter admits quietly as he walks, his back to his friends to hide the concern on his face.

The domovoi leads you all up the stairs to the second floor landing then overto another single flight of stairs and up to the third floor. He hops from step to step with curious ease. He then turns left at the top of the stairs and leads the three of you to a door down near the end of the hallway. The little male gestures to the door then fades from sight.

Matt follows on..listening

Raven tells the domovoi, "Thank you." as it's fading.

The domovoi smiles and bows to Raven.

Hunter knocks on the door, but doesn't wait for an answer before opening it and stepping inside and motioning again for Raven and Matt to follow. Despite Hunter's strange mood, he doesn't seem all that phased by the strangeness of the place.

Beyond the door is a comfortable, if masculine, lounge done in dark paneled wood with overstuffed chairs, sofa, and loveseats in rich burgundy leather, a wet bar, and an advanced audio/video system. There is a large octagonal table in the room as well.

Matt begins to float..almost instinctually, instead of stepping, he is floating up and down the stairs, until they get to the lounge where he lands once more. "Decadent.." he says softly.

Sasha sits slumped on the loveseat toying with a glass in his hand. "Hello everyone. Welcome to my parlor." he says with a slight smile.

Raven bows slightly to Sasha, "John asked us to say hello on his behalf. And thank you for inviting us into your house, Sasha."

Sasha murmurs gently. "Thank you Raven. And you are most welcome." He sighs softly. "I apologize for not revealing myself as Bob to you. I am not, heh, proud of how I behaved back then. But, well, I hardly knew you is my only excuse. My apologies." He gestures. "Have a seat everyone. There are sodas and beers in the wet bar if you want them."

"I can grab the drinks. You two sit down and get to talking. Lemme know what you want," Hunter offers.

Matt sits down. "Sasha..wow..this place.." he doesn't really have the words. "...Tell us..Whats the deal. I hate to cut to the chase, but I understand you are under a time limit yourself."

Raven points to a orange sprite for herself and whatever Matt's current favourite soda is, and sits beside Matt.

Hunter heads over tot he fridge by the wet bar and reaches for the two sodas for Matt and Raven. His hand next reaches for the beer, then hesitates as he remembers who he's with. His hand drifts to the Dr. Pibb next to the beers for himself. Then he straightens up, nudges the fridge door shut with his foot, then walks back to the others to hand out drinks before sitting next to Sasha and popping open his soda can.