Prologue E - Haitian Blues (Angelica)

[Manah]

--- 5 years ago ---

Young Angelica, then 14 years old, awoke in the hospital, dazed, confused and lost... her two legs damaged beyond any hope of ever fully recovering, and likely of ever standing, or walking again. And yet, the doctors called it a miracle. For all intents and purposes, the girl should have died. The crash had been astonishingly violent, the taxi car was now but a pile of scrap metal, and the driver himself had been ejected 20 meters away from the vehicle - and he was wearing his seatbelt!

The girl knew far too well that they were right, though. It was a miracle. She was, indeed, supposed to die. She knew that for a fact, since she had been told so directly by one who knew better than all of those doctors.

---A few days before that still---

An out-of-body experience. That's how they called it. Angelica was standing aside, glancing at the burning wreckage that had been the taxi car which was supposed to take her home, before that other drunk driver almost hit them head on, forcing them off the road. The car had plunged fifty feet down from a cliffside, before hitting a large tree and ending its trip into a small pond. The dead body of the taxi driver was lying down further away, immobile... but Angelica was not even paying it any attention. She was more focused on what she could see still inside the car.

Her own body, broken, bloodied, bruised. She had trouble imagining just how much damage the body had actually suffered, but one thing was for sure... if she ever woke up, it would be one hell of a morning. As she was thinking about that... she couldn't help but notice the heavy, thick scent of cigars and rum filling the area.

"Damn shame, isn't it, child", said a white woman with red-gold hair, and emerald green eyes as she stared at the wreckage. "So young. So innocent."

"And yet here she is", said a much deeper, nasal-toned voice, as a black man stepped forward in a black tail coat with a top hat, black glasses, a cigar in hand and a white skull painted on his face. "Life is unfair. For some, it is long, for others, short. Some will live a free, joyful life, others will live a sad, boring one. Some get to live their lives, others die shortly after their birth. Life is cruel, unforgiving, unjust. Now death... death is fair. It lasts forever for all who experience it. Everyone gets to experience it. And it will always be quite an experience, no matter who you are or where you come from", the man said.

"Screw that, I still say she deserves another chance", the woman stated dryly. "Fair or not, I feel like this child still has much to do in the world of the living."

"Perhaps we can reach an agreement then", the man said, smirking. "...What is your name, young one? Fear us not, for you and I are not strangers. Not anymore. I am known as Baron Samedi... and my wife, here, is Maman Brigitte."

(OOC: Welcome to the game, GPMC!... And yes, you are currently playing as a 14 years old version of Angelica. Worry not, for it will not last. Just play along for now.)

[GPMC]

Young Angelica (14 years)

An out-of-body experience. That's how they called it. "...What is your name, young one? Fear us not, for you and I are not strangers. Not anymore. I am known as Baron Samedi... and my wife, here, is Maman Brigitte."

"Angelica
Well, fairness is pretty much a human concept, one nature very rarely follows.
I'd say it's a pleasure to meet you, but the circumstances ..
But where are my manners.
It IS a pleasure to meet you..
Vodoo God's ?
Loa was it ?
I'm not really familiar with them much, but at least a little I heard .. read actually."
She was rambling..
But in a situation like that, .. who could blame her.
For all apparent reason she was dead.. ish, on death's doorstep.
Not literally, but pretty damn close.
Her .. eyes were wide open, surprised more then anything.
"Baron Samedi .. and Maman Brigitte ?

Am sorry, .. but the later I don't remember much.
"
The young girl said .. with a sting of a guilty conscience.
"I actually don't know much about the "spiritual" either way, but Samedi.. 's at least a little more famous ?
For sure not meant to be disrespectful, just telling what little I DO know.
I'm not black .. or afro-, but apparently neither are you .. two.
I'm rambling aren't I ?
But yeah.. just confused.
Maybe a concussion ?"
She joked .. or at least attempted to.
"I'd tell you to maybe stop smoking.. that it kills you.. But but might actually be the point ?
Besides, doesn't mean here and there follows the same rules.
Even more so regarding you two..or me right now.

Yeah, what I DO "know" about you.
Baron Samedi has a very vivid humour, and at least somehow related to.. death.
Which is a rare combination I must say, and likely the reason I remember so much of that.
I EVEN remembered the "white" face for what it's worth.
Sadly " trying to show the lady the respect she was due..
"That's ALL I can really scrap together about you guys.. people ? Gods ?
Well.. Loa.

I could go on and tell I "know" you all "black" and what not, but that's OBVIOUSLY not true and likely just something my unconscious expectations were filling in.
So sufficient to say,.. Well..
It's nice to meet you .. get to know you ?"
Turning back with a sad, almost already melancholic way towards herself.
"Yeah .. it's really a pity..
Thanks for you company in this....
I don't know of any voodoo practicioners in my family , so .. it's a matter of "physical" proximity ?
Excuse me if I'm just rambling..
'ts the first time I'm .. dying"
Feeling her throat dry up and choking a bit.
*funny .. that's not how I pictured the other side .. or demi-other side ?
So either this REALLY is happening right now, my brain just mangled random stuff together now.
Due to the DEGREE of randomness ? More likely it's the former ?
Not that there's anything I can do about it either way.
..
Just .. it's a lot to take in..*
Staring "off" into the distance and at herself at the same time..

=======================
( OOC:
:-3 Yeah, had a different idea in mind for her "source" for her disability, but leaving it up to you, having it fit in with her ..?power?.. Yeah.. must say I Like it so far.

As to skill/stone use
3 to Social 3 ish to int?/general knowledge ?
If that's an issue/consideration right now.
Though it's likely "just" a dream/memory of her in the "right now" anyway.
Figured that (what I wrote) right now would be the ammount of her "knowledge".
It's a bit much, considering I AM actually quite versed in the mystical and occult, especially compared to a young girl who had "nothing much to do" with that, but she's smart, likely has read a thing or two about "random stuff", and she IS closer to the source then me for sure.
With photographic memory and all
..
..
Doubt I'll find a "I didn't choose a voodoo live, voodoo life chose me" shirt/pic/meme. )

[Manah]

(OOC: My knowledge of Loa is limited to World of Darkness RPG and wikipedia, so please forgive any inconsistencies. I just like the lore and Voodoo-based powers.)

"Physical proximity?" Maman Brigitte repeated, chuckling. "...Girl, you are pretty naive. If you know enough about Loa to know the name, you should know that our influence has little to do with such insignificant limitations. I'm the only Loa who's white, because I hail from Ireland, not Africa nor Haiti. But who cares... it's not like I expected a child from another country to be a full-blown Voodoo scholar", she said, amused.

Samedi glanced at her 'body', shaking his head. "You are not dead, yet, young one. Not until Baron Samedi or another death god digs your grave will your soul pass into the afterlife. It is not your time", he added. "My wife deems you worthy of another chance. But we do not grant such a gift for nothing. You will return to life, having escaped the worst of the accident and forgotten the traumatic sights which you have witnessed, and we will teach you the Voodoo arts. You will act in our name amongst the living and perform duties as we assign them, in exchange for said life, although your legs will remain lost to you as a reminder of who sent you back, and that which was given freely can just as easily be taken away. What do you say, young one? Will you serve us, or will you move on to the afterlife and be forgotten?"

[GPMC]

Young Angelica (14 years)


"You're talking in riddles..
Correct me if I'm wrong,
but from what I understand you say I got two choices.

Die or not die.
Die would mean I would end up in SOME afterlife.
Not dying .. would come with "strings attached".
One being that I still could, die again .. Which 'd mean I'd still be "mortal" and not "something else".
My body 'd still be severely damaged, which basicly means I'd get returned but not completely healed.
Makes sense and sounds reasonable.
In return for getting this .. continuation of a chance with life I'd have to do "voodoo duty" for which you'd teach me those arts ?

..
It's a bit confusing I must say, but that might be just the concussions..
I could say stuff about "forced contracts" and "not being in a sound state of mind".
But if we're "just" exchanging favours then yeah, I'm all in.
That's it isn't it ?
You help me, I help you.
And along the lines we both(groups) get to know each other a little more.
Maybe even get to become some kind of friends ?

There's a whole lot of things I'd really like .. love to discuss but I take it the longer we wait the more severe the "permanent damage" becomes ?
And .. I hope we'll still be able to "talk" somewhat freely after that ?

So .. guess this means "good by" for now, or "see you later", while you no doubt will continue to ...
Now I AM the one rambling .. sorry.
Yeah, sure.
Let me return, and I'm looking forward to us meeting again.
Hopefully in less sad circumstances."
Despite the heaviness of the situation Angelica was beaming with warmth and hope.
Hopefully she could also "repay" "them" on a more personal level.
With kindness and friendliness, and a "fresh view" on the world ?
Another bit of sadness was starting to emerge within herself.
Having to "part" with her newfound friends so soon after meeting them for the first time.

Buuuut, such was life.
And hers it seemed .. was far from over.
=======================
(
Stone allocation ?
3 for social skills
And 3 durability "bracing herself"
to better get through the "biological" hardship her body has to fight through.. as far as she CAN support that fight.

Either way, her "will to live" is a strong and healthy one. :-) )

[Manah]

"Excellent, child", Maman Brigitte said. "And worry not... you will see us again soon enough", she promised, smirking. "We will never be too far away."

"Off you go now", Samedi said, merely touching her forehead with the tip of his finger, as everything went black.

---

---Now---

Angelica Wright, now a grown young woman - and an accomplished Voodoo witch - was just finishing a quest on her favorite MMO, when she noticed the familiar scent of tobacco and rum which usually accompanied the appearance of one of her 'friends'. Namely Maman Brigitte, who sat down in the corner of the room, smoking one of those fine cigars which she favored so much.

"Greetings, young one", she said, smiling faintly.

The two Loa had kept their promise; five years ago, when she woke up at the hospital, Angelica learned that she had escaped any harm other than the damage to her legs. While she would need a wheelchair likely for the rest of her life, she was able to grow up and live her life... with the assistance of the magic taught by the Baron Samedi and his wife, which certainly made life a lot easier for her.

[GPMC]

Angelica


"Greetings, WISE one."
She nearly echoed her Loa guests introduction.
With just as much smile and relaxed attitude.
*click click, swipe click, tab tab click swipe click tab TAB*
"Aaaand done for the day !
Just deliver a ghost's blessings to a to be wed couple aaand unlocked sweet new hairdo for my Priestess.

Buuut, what can I do for YOU ?
Or is it something else for today?"

===
Action 1: 3 stones to social skills
Loa specialty ;-)
Being happy, but not hasty with her treasured guest, and asking what this visit is about.

Action 2: 3+2(genius) stones to computers to finish up the play for today.
===
Inni(agil): 4
Health: 3/3
E-pool/E-max: 12/12
E-spend/E-regen: 6/6

[Manah]

"If only the messages from those from Beyond more often had to do with wedding blessings", the Loa said with amusement in her tone. "No hurry, is there, young one? Tell me of your progress as a Voodoo witch", she requested.

---

OOC and now for the big reveal.

ACTIONS
Mastery of Magic: 4
(Int.bonus)

Voodoo: 6

Summoning: 5
(Int.bonus)
-Actually knows rituals to summon Maman Brigitte and Baron Samedi themselves; must pay max stones in the action to do so, and they are neither subservient nor bound in any way to her.

Magical Healing: 7
-Must use in conjunction with Voodoo except to heal self
-Can't heal her legs' disability

+2 to General Knowledge (Voodoo/Loa, Occult lore)


MODIFIERS
Magical Defense +4 (Free)


CHALLENGES
-Beholden to Baron Samedi and Maman Brigitte (-5; must honor the two Loa and their requests if any, for all of her powers - and her continued existence - are granted by them.)

[GPMC]

Angelica


"Sure,
Well, it's a lot so it'll take a while."
Getting together not only all she WAS already capable of, but also her boundaries, what was still out of her range, and what she thought she could still improve.
"I UNDERSTAND most of the basics, and put them to use there are still spells I have trouble with, mostly several generation spanning and "combined" rituals.
I can't do the "ritual dancing" but I've found my way around that mostly.
I ,again, mostly figured out his to call spirits to this world.
Should even be capable of the more dangerous fields there, calling unwilling and diversely defined summonings if need be.
Obviously with the usual risks that come with it, but I should be at least partially capable to minimize the risks.
With the more exotic or alien callings the most limiting factor would be not knowing them all that well, and therefore not being able to "provide" all precautions that would be .. advisable.

As to the healing I surpass most mortal medicine by now, but there is always more to learn.
Brain "surgery", countering volatile alterations, that's what's the real challenge left to master.
And my legs yeah...
Not something I can simply "fix".
If someone else 'd freshly severed his spine, the non leathal way ?
I SHOULD be able to fix THAT.
But it's really far from easy.

Well I got the "raw" power there, but if I could UNDERSTAND it's use better..
In general most limits are in either duration or complexity.

My biggest "voodoo" limitation is .. Well.. voodoo.
Magic inherintly "foreign" to voodoo, like "flying" through air instead of "swimming/floating".
Can always get creative, but it's not necessarily easy by any means.

And last but not least, consecutive "spiritual work" I'm fairly limited with by my "weak" mental constitution.
Being a mortal and all.
Twice so if there's "stuff bothering me" and "need to act politely" or to "multitask".

Yeah, there is always "a lot" still left to learn, and I'm still far off from being a "master" but objectively speaking I ought to be considered veteran level.
"
Stating several more "doable" and "not doable" scenarios she continues to elaborate and "paint" a throughout picture of her current and actually abilities/knowledge.
""I have however started "playing" around with electronic voodoo.
Most is still in the raw, but I've written code for a " spirit chat room" where we .. should be able to communicate, though that is as much if not more so, still dependent on the "intent" and "emotion" the moment I decide to actually run the code.
It IS however something to look forward to, and could .. theoretically allow you to contact, or get contacted, via the internet by "petitioners".
Just talking possibilities, but yeah .. at least SOME limitations I should be able to break in the .. nearest future.
Assuming I get the chance, and permission of course."
===
Action 1: 3 stones to social skills
Loa specialty
-> and be kind/respectful about it.

Action 2: 10+2(genius) stones to general knowledge(int)
costing 7 stones due to efficiency.

To very throughfully outline what she can and can not do, and how much/powerful she is (as far as she knows) in the respective sub areas of her power(s).
And presenting how she thinks her capabilities could still be expanded and/or where she feels like she's hitting a rock.

===
Inni(agil): 4
Health: 3/3
E-pool/E-max: 12/12
E-spend/E-regen: 10/6

[Manah]

"You are free to pursue further knowledge however you please, young one. As long as you continue using it faithfully in service to us when we need you to... such as right about now", the Loa said, smirking. "We have a task for you. Both as something useful for us... and as a test of your devotion. You must recover an item for us... a relic of ours. And make sure that those who took it from its resting place are punished. Can you do that?"

[GPMC]

Angelica


"I'll do my best.
What was taken, where or who do I return it to ?
What is known of the people who took "it" ?
Aaand how extensive of punishment are we talking.
Is it known why "it" was taken ?As that would also help predict where it might be moving to.
Someone especially interested or motivated to .. help with the punishing ?



===
Action 1: 3 stones to social skills
Loa specialty
Asking for as much information as can be given, more "details" so Angelica can come up with a plan and 'll know where to look for further information.
*on the mission*

Action 2: --

===
Inni(agil): 4
Health: 3/3
E-pool/E-max: 8/12
E-spend/E-regen: 3/6

[Manah]

"The thieves are two, a man, and a woman. A relentless hunter, and a traitorous voodoo priestess", Maman Brigitte explained. "Sergei Kravinoff is his name, Calypso Ezili is hers. And what was stolen... is a skull, blessed with my power, powered by my blessing. A skull which allows Calypso to raise the dead and draw upon my power against my will, causing her to believe herself as powerful without my influence. I will not tolerate her arrogance any longer."

She looked outside the window.

"Kravinoff, or Kraven, is strong. He can hunt, and kill, the strongest of beasts. Calypso is an experienced witch. Your opponents are not weak... you might need assistance, and I allow you to seek it if you will. As for punishment... the two have feelings for one another. Kill the hunter. Turn him into zombi. Let the witch live, so that she learns from her foolishness. ...Or... improvise something. I'm just making suggestions... you are free to punish as you wish, just be sure that they remember it for a loooong time."

She paused.

"As for one who might be interested to help... have you heard of the Spider who walks on two legs like men?" she asked, smirking. "I hear he and Kraven have battled just recently."

[GPMC]

Angelica


"That 'll be a powerful couple to beat, one alone could be hard..
Spiderman, would help a lot having him.. he 's also good at humiliating.
I'll run a quick search where he's been seen last, try to figure where he'll swing and find me a roof I can get on.
Oh, and can at the same time check if there's anything about the other two on the net.

As to "will I be able to", I hope so, I'll do my best, be careful and throughful.
"


===
Action 1: 3 stones to social skills
Loa specialty

Action 2: 7+2(genius) Stones to Black Ops --
Pattern Recognition (for Spiderman)
Profiling (the other two)
-> 6 for searching the net for sightings of Spiderman, trying to figure the direction he came from.
Mix a little of movement data and extrapolate the area where he might be best to find.
and
3 searching for "news" and sightings on Kraven and or the Voodoo witch


===
Inni(agil): 4
Health: 3/3
E-pool/E-max: 11/12
E-spend/E-regen: 10/6

[Manah]

"We are counting on you, young one", Maman Brigitte said, smirking. "Make us proud."

On that note, the Loa vanished, leaving behind another draught of cigar smoke scent, and allowing the young woman to do some research in peace. Calypso was apparently completely unknown to the internet, having understandably remained off the radar like most magicians, so unfortunately she found nothing. As for Kraven, she managed to discover his real name, Sergei Kravinoff, along with various infos about him. He had apparently been arrested multiple times for various mostly minor charges, including for trespassing on private properties, hunting endangered species, use of prohibited weapons and dangerous chemicals... but also for more serious crimes, such as death threats, assault, etcetera... and that was before he somehow gained superhuman abilities. Apparently, as soon as there was a difficult, challenging hunt to be done, the man stopped caring about what laws could prevent him to pursue it. He had battled Spider-Man, seeing him as his greatest prey so far, but the webslinger had managed to defeat him with difficulty. Authorities apparently believed him to be dead, but if that was the case, Maman Brigitte would no doubt have known of it. Still... if she found the dog, it'd lead to the one holding the leash. Find Kraven... find Calypso.

As for Spider-Man... he was much easier to find news off, freely swinging through the streets of New York righting wrongs left and right, constantly at odds with the local law enforcement and the Daily Bugle's editor-in-chief, J. Jonah Jameson. Within mere moments of search, she noticed a facebook post of a fan who had photographied the webslinger passing by their building in Northwest Manhattan... and according to the Internet again, there was a serious fire in the top floors of one of the skyscrapers in the area. A likely location for him to be found.

[GPMC]

Angelica


"Well then.. time to move out!
"
She quickly, yet carefully stuffed a bag with .. "voodoo stuff", and went out rolling.
*smartphonesearching while rolling*
===
Action 1: *grabbing her voodoo/magic equipment*

Action 2: 1+2(genius) Stones to Computers
To plot her course (+possible transportation) to her destination
===
Inni(agil): 4
Health: 3/3
E-pool/E-max: 7/12
E-spend/E-regen: 1/6
**
mods:

Photographic Memory
Genius 2
Accute Senses 1
&
Magical Defense 4

[Manah]

Planning her course as efficiently as possible, Angelica eventually got off a her destination, the remaining length of her trip covered by a public bus adapted for disabled people's transportation. The ride there was uneventful and calm, but the arrival was quite a different stoty, as multiple police cars and firetrucks were assembled before the burning building, the cops forming a security perimeter as the firefighters were doing their job.

Angelica made her way out with the help of the bus driver, allowing her some time when the bus drove away to appreciate the sight; as she had guessed, Spider-Man was there, busy bringing people in danger back down to the paramedics one after the other from the burning skyscraper.