View source for 2015.01.11:All For A Painting pt1

[[Category:Logs]][[Category:Silvester]][[Category:Silvana]][[Category:Sentinel]][[Category:Madeline]]

{{Infobox Log
|name      = All For A Painting pt1
|summary   = Madeline wants a missing Cezanne and has sent her ghoul out to find it along with a few vamps who she's requested favors of.
|icdate    = Sunday
|ictime    = Just After Sundown
|players   = Silvester (Storyteller), Sharpe, Devereaux, Becky, and Madeline
|location  = Prospect
|prptp     = All For A Painting
|spheres   = [[Vampire]]
}}

== Log ==

One evening Madie will confess to Sharpe she has long admired and privately coveted the "View of Auver-sur-Oise" by Paul Cezannes, though it has vanished, stolen and no one knows wehre it might be.. it would habe been lovely to have in her private collection 

It's about an hour after sunset. Sharpe has had a subtle hint dropped by the moon of his night, the light in his darkness, the hottest #*@ a guy could hope for. You know.. that lady he kinda sorta likes in a heartattack serious kinda way. Becky and Devereaux have both received discreet messages from the Toreadory primogen suggesting that she would be grateful if they could lend Sharpe a hand.

Devereaux sits quietly in the taxi as it follows the car in front of it. These mechanical contraptions always put him ill at ease.

Becky drifts along the astral plane behind Sharpe, the liquid substance of the realm swirling in her wake as she tracks the man's progress.

Sharpe tucks his cell phone back into his pocket after getting only voice mails. He grumbles a bit on his quiet ride back to the docks. Parking his car he slips from the car and starts to send out a flurry of text messages to gather up his crew at the usual spot; his offices in the cargo containers

Devereaux steps out of the cab, his wide brimmed hat is donned as he stands in the moist pacific night air. A relic of an age thankfully long past, his countenance is as dark as his clothing, all save the gleam of the white priest collar below his face. He approaches Sharpe. "Your mistress asked that I assist you in this endeavor. And so of course I am here for we are all of one people." He peers around for signs of being followed before looking back to Sharpe.

Sharpe crosses his arms over his chest, settling back against one of the cargo containers "Alright then, what do you know of this piece of art? I'm not as familiar about those circles as most, I just know that it makes money."

Becky settles in watching the pair talk from her vantage point.

As Sharpe and Devereaux discuss, Sharpe's 'boys' show up. Each in his own time.. Some look at Sharpe skeptically, with that kind of, 'ok what's the plan THIS time' kind of look.

Becky pages: can I do a sweep of the area to make sure there's no ambush/nasty surprise waiting?

Becky pages: righto! I'll have a quick look round the docks before anybody turns up, just to make sure there's no physical people lurking.

You paged Becky with 'Oh there are people lurking. It's the docks. But most of them seem to be about their own business, nobody close to Sharpe's place. At one end of the docks in fact you think you see someone in the distance who seems a little more REAL to you than most of the surroundings you've seen.'

Sharpe nods to his crew, and gets right to business "Right then lads, we've a need to acquire something called the "View of Auver-sur-Oise" by Paul Cezannes, he taps it up on his smart phone and flips it around to show everyone. "I know fuck all about art, but I know it means cash and cash means getting paid people."

Becky pages: I'll give them a cheerful wave!

You paged Becky with 'They do not seem to notice you'

From afar, Becky approaches, with due caution!

You paged Becky with 'It appears to be a man staring off the edge of the docks into the water below it. He is grumbling, "Fucking amateurs didn't even have the courtesy to drop me off the continental shelf.. Some fucking Scuba divers going to find me and then they'll get it..."'

You paged Becky with 'Weak intermittent aura'

Becky pages: I see. I suspect this may be a ghost. How close to Deveraux and Sharpe is it?

You paged Becky with 'far far away'

From afar, Becky will bookmark this for future investigation, and go back to the group. Can I auraperception sharpe's lads as they approach as well?

You paged Becky with 'steady colors, probably browns, some hints of deep red and a touch of violet.'

Sharpe nods to his crew, and gets right to business "Right then lads, we've a need to acquire something called the "View of Auver-sur-Oise" by Paul Cezannes, he taps it up on his smart phone and flips it around to show everyone. "I know fuck all about art, but I know it means cash and cash means getting paid people."

Becky pages: I wish to telepathy Devereaux!

Devereaux frowns. "Was this stolen or are we the theives?"

Becky pages: wait, dev's undead, sharpe isn't. Sharpe gets the message instead!

<OOC> Silvester says, "Sharpe's mind rejects you formally, you can't get in there"

<OOC> Becky says, "let's try Devs then. Rerolling?"

You paged Becky with 'Not a 'formal rejection' you might be able to get in there later.. but for now Shush!'

Sharpe brushes at his chin briefly "Uhh...yes..to both..I think. It's gone missing. I don't know if it was on display or not. But it needs to be found and kept."

Becky pages: right! Oh, another thought. I'm going to try using telepathy to rootle around in these chaps minds to see if they bumped off ghosty mc ghost over there...

The boys look at each other and shrug a bit, then look at Devereaux, then at Sharpe, "Who's the dick with the hat?" one of them asks.

Devereaux gives a disdainful glare to the boys. "I believe my conversation is with Sharpe. Remember as the help you are not helping." He looks back to Sharpe. "What information do we have?"

You paged Becky with 'A good roll! They're no saints that's for sure.. but you don't see anything involving that part of the peer.'

Devereaux pages: I am very weak in thaum. Most of my powers are dominate

Sharpe flips out his phone again "Nothing that I know of, lemme make some calls." He dials up the Dockmaster here to see if he's heard anything before moving onto looking up through the net

"Sharpe? Shit man you don't VISIT anymore. You should come on by some time, I'll open up a nice bottle of scotch I 'found.'" can be heard faintly through the phone's speaker.

Sharpe chuckles a bit "Visit? I do all my business here so you can make a cut as well...Oh how I do love scotch. I need to know if you know something though, business tonight it seems."

"Shoot man, but just remember if its anything funny, I don't know you.. Enough people try to pull crazy shit on my docks." the voice replies. Is he -yelling- into that phone?

Devereaux frowns as he waits for the phone conversation to end.

Sharpe shifts his head a bit, holding his head away from the phone "I'm looking for news about the painting. "View of Auver-sur-Oise" by Paul Cezannes, know it went missing recently, what do you know?"

"Painting?! Fuck man I don't know paintings. View of what?! Did it go missing from around here? Shit man I don't know. You know most of the time I don't know for sure WHAT's in those crates.. I mean every once in a while there's some national security tipoff or something and then I'm peeking in every damn one.. but thankfully that's not THAT often.. ..." there's a moment's pause, "You know.. you didn't hear it from me.. but you might try Billy "Black-Eye" at Warehouse 1357.. I hear he's got a fancy eye if you know what I mean.."

Sharpe gives a faint nod of his head "Alright, thanks for the tip. I'll go pay the man a visit."

Devereaux simply waits. Whatever he has to say doesnt need to be overheard by the man at the other end of the voice throwing handle thing.

Becky hovers astrally, waiting to follow the pair to their next destination!

Sharpe hangs the phone up and tucks it back into his pocket "Right then, quick step over to Warehouse 1357 to chat up a Billy "Black-eye" Maybe we'll luck out."

Devereaux smiles thinly. "How well do you trust your contact? Would it be better to go and compel the truth from him before we go and see Mr Black-eye?"

Sharpe lifts his shoulders a bit in a shrug "Much as I trust anyone else in this line of business...So enough to know I pay him will to keep his mouth shut and to bring more business his way as well."

Devereaux nods. "Its your call young man."

Sharpe nods again and motions for the lads to get their rides before he moves to gather up a few things and make his own way to his car

Devereaux follows Sharpe. He assumes he doesnt have to continue to pay for cabs when he is here for a reason and not for his own purposes.

The boys make their way out, but seem to wait for Sharpe to pull out first, following his lead for the most part.

You paged Becky with 'Going to scope out the warehouse?'

Becky pages: yes! What's the place like?

Sharpe packs his trunk and pulls on out toward and heads towards where he knows the warehouse to be

You paged Becky with 'It's a generic warehouse like literally hundreds of others. It's pretty quiet since it's after dark. There's a couple lights on but they aren't terribly effective.'

Devereaux gets into the passenger seat. He doesnt buckle up because hes afraid he wont be able to get out. Technology is not the friend of the recently awakened vampire. He looks out the window as the car pulls out. "So Mr Blackeye is a complete unknown?

You paged Becky with 'One in the office and one over the warehouse floor'

You paged Becky with 'Are you going in?'

It's a generic warehouse like literally hundreds of others. It's pretty quiet since it's after dark. There's a couple lights on but they aren't terribly effective.

Becky pages: yep! Let's check the warehouse floor first, see what their security is like and see who's there.

Sharpe gives another nod of his head "To me yes, but it's said he's got an eye for nice things, and well I could use a decent enough fence around here if that's what he turns out to be." his shoulders roll up in a shrug "If he proves to be a pain though, the boys know their job. I'm really hoping it doesn't come to that, cash works so much better as an instrument of communication."

You paged Becky with 'There's a few guys wandering around the main floor checking crates and a guy in the office.'

Becky pages: are they armed?

You paged Becky with 'Hard to tell from the flip side.. possibly'

Devereaux says, "If he proves a hard sell, let me talk to him before we resort to violence. Those weapons attract the constabulary every time."

Sharpe nods his head again "Sure thing." He parks the car and slides out, letting his gaze flicker over the area before moving to approach the warehouse

The boys following Sharpe's car and making sure to park where Sharpe parks, and get out, moving to follow the man.

<OOC> Devereaux says, "I will lose 6 blood to increase all physicals to 4 as we enter."

Devereaux loses one Magical Essence

Devereaux loses one Magical Essence

Devereaux loses one Magical Essence

Devereaux loses one Magical Essence

Devereaux loses one Magical Essence

Devereaux loses one Magical Essence

Devereaux adjust his collar as he follows Sharpe. Damn thing itches.

Well it's a warehouse. It's got a big warehouse door.. That's probably the only way in.

Sharpe walks right up to the door, because obviously he is here for business

Devereaux follows behind with the other henchmen, no need to mark himself as important just yet.

Sharpe glances over his shoulder briefly and knocks on the door before shifting his weight and crossing his arms over his chest

There's the sound of footsteps from inside.. a lock coming undone and the large door rolling up a crack. A face stoops down to look out, a darker man, possibly South Asian or Middle Eastern. His accent is all American though, "What do you want?" he asks.

Sharpe tilts his head to look down over the man "Yeah I'm looking to speak with a Mr. Black-eye, I was directed here by a mutual acquaintance."

The stooping face looks over the other men around Sharpe and the man frowns. "Alright.. but just you. Your friends wait out here..." he says, opening the rolling door a little higher but still making Sharpe crawl through.

Devereaux speaks up. "Excuse me sir I need to ask you a question before you take my boss inside."

Sharpe steps aside so Dev can see the guy stooping "Right then, sounds reasonable, just a quick question then."

The man does not stoop down again (It's dirty down there and hard on the back to bend like that), so you're left with his shoes, "Listen, if he's hear to see Billy, he knows the drill. What's your question?" the voice asks.

Devereaux says, "Im a man of the cloth, surely it is no imposition for me to come in from the cold?"

"Man! What the FUCK do you think this is?! I fucking shelter? a Church?! Man I thought you were here to see Billy, what the fuck is this.." the feet step back from the door.

Sharpe shifts his weight a bit, his brow twitching a bit "Right, and if you think I'm crawling under the entrance in a five thousand dollar suit you're out of you're mind. Also do you know how much product I move through the church vans? -No one- pulls over a church van, need a "Priest" to drive."

Devereaux mutters something about the bsckside of pig needing his legs broken to seem less pious.

Becky listens in.

"Well it's not my fault you showed up with your 'nice suit' and your whole damn gang AND driver UNANNOUNCED. You want to come in? You crawl.. you want your driver in, you tell me WHY..." the man says and there's a noticable click that's probably a pistol being pointed at the opening of the rolling door.

Becky pages: IS it a pistol?

You paged Becky with 'Probably! That or a grey firecracker.. The astral plane is weird'

Becky pages: I'd like to telepathy him now, sit in his head listening in, and if things look like they're gonna kick off make LOUD DISTRACTIONY THOUGHTS at him to put him off his game.

Sharpe lifts his brow and gives a faint chuckle "Right then." he shakes his head and slides under the door in his expensive suit "Guess business is worth this then."

You paged Becky with 'You can't glean much.. he seems edgy due to them challenging the directions, but the gun is raised whe Sharpe slides under alone.'

The man raises his gun away from Sharpe as he enters alone. Another man shuts the door and locks it again, leaving Sharpe alone in the warehouse. Only two men are visible and they tilt their heads indicating he should follow. One moves behind as the other leads him towards an office.

Sharpe rises up and dusts himself off the best he can, he adjusts the hang of his jacket and moves to follow with the others, and yes he wears his sunglasses at night

They lead Sharpe into an office and inside sits a white guy with a black eye. Drowing closer it becomes plain that the black eye is either a tattoo or somehow his skin was stained black there. "Who the fuck are you?" the man asks unceremoniously as his men lead Sharpe in and stand on either side of the door.

Devereaux frowns and waits. What else can he do?

Becky waits next to Devereaux. He won't know she's there, of course, but maybe he'll get a sense of spooky solidarity from her.

Sharpe shamelessly takes a seat infront of the desk, crossing his legs as he gets comfortable "Malcolm Sharpe." he's rather well known in the underground circles (influence 5) in terms of arms and drugs "A mutual acquaintance in the dockmaster. He says you have an eye for fine things."

You paged Devereaux with 'Wait a second.. weren't there windows? Didn't you see two lights?'

Black-eye smirks, "Did he? I'm not terribly thrilled he told you about me without running it by me first.. but fine.. what's up? Cause if you got anything to offer and are a cop, this would be entrapment.. Just so we're clear."

Becky drifts up next to Devereaux, peering through at proceedings.

Sharpe settles in comfortably in the chair, a smile twitching up the corner of his mouth "Offering is always fairly easy, though I hear you have an eye for fine things. I'm in the market for the "View of Auver-sur-Oise" by Paul Cezannes, or knowledge of its whereabouts."

Becky pages: GUESS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO

Black-eye seems to recognize the name, "Sorry, don't have that one. Too hot. I can get you a number of other fine paintings though or if a forgery will do we have ones as good as the originals, no bullshit." he raises his hand.

You paged Becky with 'Fucking Festucci! Scary motherfucker, no fucking way I'm messing with that shit. Go ahead and ask if I know where it is, my answer is Fuck you, I don't wanna die.'

Becky pages: I wish to telepathically contact a grunt.

Becky pages: one of Sharpe's dudes.

Devereaux clings to the wall like a monstrous insect, waiting for things to sour.

Becky pages: I'd like, if possible, to intruduce the idea that Festucci has it, according to the limping lady, to this chap's mind. And that he should tell Dev or Sharpe.

Sharpe gives a faint shake of his head "I have a very discerning client this time around, a forgey won't do, they'd be able to spot it, they are very good." Sharpe would honestly be surprised if Maddie didn't actually know the arist personally at some point. "Do you know who nicked it this go around then?"

Black-eye starts to sweat a bit, "Uh.. n-no. no I don't know anything about it. I mean, it's a famous painting you know, one of the great big art heists so I heard of it, but yeah.. It's not like I got everything ever nabbed in the world, ya know." Then there's a cry out front by the rolling door.

Devereaux looks down to see what is the ruckus.

Devereaux hops down to investigate around the corner

As Devereaux rounds the corner, one of Sharpe's guys look shaken, the others are looking at him like he's crazy. "I'm not nuts man! I Swear I just -heard- something. Something about Festucci, the limping lady and telling 'Dev' or Sharpe!

Devereaux nods knowingly as he puts a hand on the other guys shoulder. "I think you'd better ((Let me in!)) Dont you agree?

Sharpe tilts his head to the side a bit as he watches the man sweat "Yes, one of the best in recent memory if word of the street is to be believed actually, no hint of it though? Usually the crew to pull something like that off is known, but of course nothing can be traced back."

Black-eye laughs, "Hell knows about the crew, they stole it from Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England, on December 31, 1999, as fireworks went off to celebrate the millennium. It's not THAT recent.. No no, I don't know nothing.."

The man slows in his shaking, losing himself in Devereaux's eyes, "I was just standing here and then this voice in my head says, Festucci has it.. according to the limping lady.. I should tell Dev or Sharpe..."

Devereaux grins. "I dont know who that is but Sharpe is upstairs. You should probably wait until he comes out so you dont interrupt their meeting."

Sharpe gives a faint nod of his head "Right, and about fifteen years and not a single hint of it? Well that's a damn shame."

Black-Eye seems to be calming down, "Time only makes matters worse you know, ask me about something from the past decade.." he teases with a smile, "You sure there's not anything else I might be able to find for you?"

Sharpe gives a shake of his head "A shame really, nothing that I can think of that is more recent. Thank you for your time." he rises up out of the chair

The two gentlement are a bit more polite about escorting Sharpe out, taking him to the side door by the dumpster after making sure his men aren't out there waiting. Billy actually stands, "Let me know if you need anything else.. I probably won't be contacting you.." he says.. Perhaps a comment about the differences in their trade. Drugs/guns = death, art = beauty.

Sharpe lifts his hand in a wave "Sure, I'll let you know if anything comes up." he steps out of that door, moving around to go look for his team

Devereaux will wait until Sharpe comes out and simply greets him to cue the crazy guy to spill his guts. "Everything ok Sharpe?"

The 'crazy' guy looks between the stranger in the hat and Sharpe and back. It looks like he has something to say, and eventually he does.. same message over again.

Sharpe shakes his head a bit "He's sweating pretty bad, doubt he's telling me the whole thing." he glances over towards the other man "Limping lady?" he runs a hand through his hair and then chuckles "Alright then, who is Festucci?" he glances over his shoulder "I only saw two people in there. Can always knock hard."

Devereaux whispers to Sharpe. "He means Becky, she is.....with us..."

Becky pages: can I telepath more information to the crazy guy?

You paged Becky with 'need another roll but yes'

Sent to: Becky and Silvester

Becky pages: so, if that works, plant the idea that 'The guy Sharpe was talking too was very scared of him.'

Sharpe nods again "Right, she's the only limping lady I know. So does she know who that is? Or are we going to go find that out?" he starts to make his way back to the car

"What?!" the man yells again! He looks over at Sharpe, "The guy you were talking to was very scared of him.. I don't know if that means you or Festucci...." he admits.

Devereaux comes closer to the maniac and looks into his eyes. "Tell us where to find Festucci."

"I DON'T KNOW! I DON'T FUCKING KNOW WHO FESTUCCI IS!!!" the man screams at the top of his lungs as the rolling door rolls up wide and Black-eye stands there with an SMG between his two men both with pistols.. "THAT is a name I don't need spoken around here.

Becky pages: 'You have been under too much stress. See a psychiatrist, maybe go on holidy. Clearly, you are going mad.'

Becky pages: I'm going to be trying to distract him, shit like 'There's one behind that bin!' (there isn't) and 'You're out of ammo!' (he's not) if it kicks off, but nothing just yet.

You paged Becky with 'You are in his head again'

Sharpe has had guns drawn on him before, it's nothing new to him, hell it's even a tactic he's used once or twice before. He continues to move towards his car, keying the button to open the trunk as he gets close enough "Oh I'm sure it isn't Mr. Black-eye. Though if you had mentioned the name earlier I'd be able to pay you even more. I did tell you I pay for knowledge did I not?"

Devereaux smiles grimly as he backs toward the car. "Dont be foolish. You think we dont have people watching us right now. This is Mr Sharpe your talking too. And even if you win it will be loud. Whose side do you think the cops will take....you guys....or Jesus?"

Sharpe's boys who don't have their own guns out put their hands up.. well all but one who clutches his head and drops to his knees crying as he's convinced he's going insane. That's really not a pretty sight and his friends look really worried about him. "I can't spend it if I'm dead.. Get gone.. FAST!" Black-eye tells Sharpe. He looks at Devereaux, his eyes glancing around at the roof tops and the possible places extra help for you might come and he steps back further into the warehouse away from the door.

Sharpe gives a faint grin with a shake of his head "No, can't spend it if you're dead." besides, he knows his people just need some covering fire, he made it to the trunk, good thing he packed hmm? Up comes his service rifle, a suppressed M-4 carbine and he calmly starts to spray down the entrance they've so kindly bottled themselves into

Devereaux tries to lash out at the first goon with a dagger which was concealed in his wooden cross but he is not fast enough.

Billy takes up position by the edge of the door, a small spray of bullets flies at Sharpe, but barely graze him, damaging that suit and nothing more.

You paged Becky with 'Going to start shouting thoughts?'

Sharpe growls a bit at the damage suit, sending a burst in the direction of Billy's goons, he wings one and drops down to take cover behind his car "OH THIS WAS FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS, NOW YOU'RE DEAD!"

Becky bombards Billy's mind with sudden, unhelpful ideas. "There's one behind you! The safety's off! Wait, somebody's on the roof! Reload now! QUick!' in an effort to overwhelm his mind. Hopefully, he'll be too confused and shocked to fight back. Hopefully.

The wounded one moves behind the door opening as well, but gets off a well placed shot that sinks into Sharpe, causing REAL damage. Playing with guns is dangerous yo! The other steps back from the ineffectual father with the knife and points a gun at his head, "Nighty night fucker.." BANG! and he missed, but Devereaux's ears are ringing from the blast.

Sharpe's men, (all save the one still clutching his head and crying as he goes into the fetal position infront of a gun fight) all sprint back towards the cars to find cover. They draw their weapons, but are too busy trying to get behind something to fight back yet.

Sharpe grunts again, taking a shot to his shoulder. He curses and drops back down behind the car, fishing a fresh magazine from inside that jacket to slam home "Oh, and now blood stains..oh someone is going to pay for this dry cleaning."

Devereaux snarls as he reaches for Billy with both hands. The gangster neatly steps aside forcing the priest to catch himself on the wall to avoid faceplanting.

Once again Becky reaches out mentally, and finds another weak mind. Almost immediately, the torrent of crazy floods into his conciousness. "You mustn't hurt a priest! That's bad luck! Run away! Quick, whilst everybody's shooting, just run! Now, nobody's looking, before God smites you! Save yourself!"

Boom boom bang bang bang, BOOM. The wounded fellow behind cover shoots Sharpe's car trying to hit the man behind it. His compatriot moves to follow Devereaux, this time placing the gun to the back of his head and pulling the trigger. That.. SHOULD have worked.. but it didn't.. maybe there's a little blood in his hair but even that seems temporary as the man goes, "What the FUCK?!" And then Sharpe's buddies open up.. They don't hit much through the cover, but one sends the wounded fellow down to crippled. That looks internal.. And then there's that shotgun blast that wounds Billy.

Billy then turns and fires directly behind him at ... nothing. "What the fuck..." he says sure he heard someone say someone was coming up from behind.

Devereaux half shouts half growls at Billy, "Surrender!" He sneers. "Its your only chance to live."

Billy Black-eye was clutching that gun like it was his last chance to live.. but he does release it immediately and cough out a bloody, "I give up..."

The other man sees his boss surrender, and his buddy bleeding out and crawling on the ground and holds up his hands slowly as well.

Devereaux picks up the gun. (Simple action). "The rest of you drop your weapons." He trains the gun on Billy.

Devereaux calls over his shoulder. "You got manacles Sharpe?"

Sharpe sees the fight die down. He reaches into his trunk to get out a field kit and a pile of zip ties "I do." he fishes out a gauze wrapping and presses it to his own gunshot "Right then.." he makes his way back over to Billy

The unharmed one frowns, lowering his gun and setting it on the ground. The other one stops crawling. Billy just looks up at you, "You fuckers.. all this over a PAINTING?!" he spits.. it's mostly blood.

Devereaux waits until the men have been disarmed and restrained before hefting them all into the trunk. The critically injured guy is injected with a point of the tremeres blood to help in the healing process. It isnt much but its there. Once the poor men are packed like sardines Devereaux honors Billy's dismayed exclamation with an answer. "For them its about a painting Billy. For me its about you. The road to salvation for you....will be arduous." He slams the trunk closed. "Take us to the convent. Our Lady of Suffering. We will extract the information your mistress requires."

Sharpe shifts his M-4 so it's casually aimed to Billy's head "Yeah, and this could have been avoided if you didn't lie to me, and then threaten me and my men, and then fucking RUIN MY SUIT!" he taps out a quick text message on his cell before putting the phone away. "Right. Lads, we'll be scrapping the car. Police your own brass and get the fuck out." he settles back down into his car and starts to drive

Billy snarls, "YOU SHOT AT US YOU ASS!" he tries to ineffectually kick at Sharpe but fails... as he can't really move his legs right now.. He pants a bit, obviously in great pain.

Sharpe rolls up in his shot up car. He parks it and slides out, the gunshot wound on his side bandaged. He moves to help Dev with the soon to be corpses. "Really if you didn't lie you would actually have been paid instead of getting your friend hurt and yourself shot. Really wouldn't a few more grand in your pocket be worth more than some hot lead?"

As you walk into the church, the first thing you notice are the arches. Everywhere. Following gothic architecture, the entire ceiling is arched, low on the sides, and flaring higher right down the middle isle between the multitudes of dark wood pews set up for the parish. The carpeting on the floor is a soft, but durable, mauve color, which contrasts nicely against the dark wood pews and the white walls of the church. 



Up front, the sanctuary is decorated with statues, the alter, and the cross. The domed apse ceiling above is richly detailed with gold and burgundy scrollwork designs. Situated just before the sanctuary is the large holy water and baptismal font, it's large bowl resting on carved legs. Located above, at the back of the church above the entryway is the choir loft. 



Along the sides, and high above, beautiful stain glass windows reside. There are over 25 stained glass windows in the church alone. The transept windows of some of the saints are divided into three major panels each and are the largest in the church while the smallest windows are in the chapel and sacristy. The windows that circle the sanctuary and its dome represent the Apostles. Such rich colors and fine detail are shown all, making each one a work of art.

"You don't know... what Festucci would do to me..." Billy Black-Eye gasps. "This.. might be better..." pity he doesn't know what Devereaux has in store. He might change his mind...

Devereaux is stone silent as the men drag the thieves inside. "Festucci would probably kill you," he says dispassionately. "But you will come to understand that death is a mercy."

Shadows flicker across the windows and arched ceiling of the church, but suddenly they deepen, darken and slide down the wall in an unnatural motion, as if they had come to life and taken form.

Sharpe gives a faint smile, one absolutely devoid of emotion "Shame you just didn't take the money. Now I need a new suit -and- car."

Devereaux looks sharply at the pooling shadow. "It is customary to annouce oneself before entering another's domain," he rebukes. A nagging rat scratch voice tells him it might be a demon, not that a lasombra is much better.

"Dead.. either way..." the man pants. Then smiles up at Sharpe, "Enjoy meeting Festucci.. I hope you're as polite with him.." The unharmed man looks increasingly alarmed.. and stares at Devereaux, "What the fuck are you man?!"

The Shadows swirl and take the shape of the angry Toreador Primogen stepping out of the pool of darkness into the light. Her hard sapphire eyes seek each face and fix upon Sharpe before she nods to Devereaux "Had I known it was your domaine monseiur, I would have" she says by way of apology and strides across the room to her ghoul

Devereaux nods. "Well all is forgiven. We cannot chastise for what is not known. In any case, we have the men who know where the stolen piece is being held. A man named Festucci has it. They are going to tell us where that is. I anticipate the whiny one will crack in about fifteen minutes. Billy will take a day or two. Im certain you dont wish to watch the interrogation madame but, if you have a stalwart disposition, your welcome to come." The nuns start to come out. "Help these men take the penitents below, and tend to their wounds...all of them. Praise God."

Madeline steps up to the group and watches the proceedings "Non Monseiur, you may enjoy your entertainments as you see fit" she looks to Sharpe and bids him to her side "I shall attend the wounds of this one"

The nuns seem to have beauty in common, that and a complete lack of affect as they assist Sharpes men in taking the prisoners back into the rectory and the mysterious below. Their eyes are as hollow shells.

Devereaux frowns. "This is not entertainment madame, it is a burden and a priviledge, but I shall hasten to thee with the answers as they become known."

Sharpe glances down at the bandage on his side "It's just a flesh wound." his gaze settles back onto Madeline