This Feels Like a Cliche Murder Mystery

It's always something Rozmer thought as purposefully made his way towards an old church outside of London. The place had been a hotbed for strange goings on and extra dimensional activity in the recent months and that could really only mean one thing. Somebody was summoning something. What exactly it was he wasn't sure but the closer he got the more he realized that it was something big. Why couldn't people just leave reality alone? Every other day it seemed that some new asshat decided he wasn't content with the infinite possibility that one reality offered and needed to dip their hands into another one. To Rozmer, it only made sense that this was a bad idea, like taking a chip already dipped in chocolate into hot chinky salsa. Once it was done there'd be remnants of that chocolate in your salsa and you'd have one bad tasting snack. But the world at large it seemed didn't see it that way. And so here we was, tracking down another cult with the intent to bring some horror from another reality to this one.

But upon arrival, Rozmer was treated to a very different scene. Two woman, one looking somewhat beaten down but both armed to the teeth were stuffing the body of a robed figure into the trunk of a car and fleeing from the now burning church. A confused "wha-" was all he could muster. Who the hell were these women and what were they doing? Watching intently from a distance it was then that he caught a flash of the artifact that they were carrying. A book, no doubt the conduit to bring whatever beast the cult had desired for into this world. And these women were stealing it away. How fun...

He had to follow them, find out what they wanted with it. But also needed to deal with the robed figure. Regardless of whether or not he knew it, he had knowledge that no one in this reality should have. At least that was Rozmer's assumption. And so one of himself floated off after the women and the other made its way over the trunk. He wouldn't remain long, taking a two foot long splinter of wood from the burning building he'd drive it through the man's head.

Good riddance he'd mutter before blinking out of existence. Meanwhile the now solo Rozmer followed the women to an...IHOP? Not exactly the most inconspicuous place to take an otherworldly artifact. What in the hell were these people doing, he wondered. That is before he finally caught a glimpse at one of them. Who else could it be but Jeanie Rose.

A long sigh escaped him as he watched them take their seat at the diner from outside. Thankfully the situation no longer seemed quite as grim but he still had to wonder how she had gotten tangled up in this. Trouble seemed to follow her while she remained hopelessly oblivious to it. And that then begged the question, who was her new compatriot?

Thankfully he'd have time to figure that out, having followed them from the diner all the way to the hotel where the two seemed to be staying. All the while he remained phased, not forgetting Jeanie's emaculate memory and animal senses. And when just Jeanie left the place, in a new change of clothes and no sign of the book, Rozmer saw his chance.

Lighting a cigarette that he produced from the pack in his vest pocket he would disappear from the street below. Instantaneously he was inside the small hotel room in the darkness. The woman with whom Jeanie had been traveling appeared to be sleeping. Rozmer supposed he could snoop around for the book in silence but there was always the chance that the woman would here him and wake up. Then he'd have to deal with explaining himself in the moment and he didn't really feel like delaying that confrontation. So taking a seat in the corner of the room he'd flick on the lights.

Excuse me miss he'd say, projecting his voice in a "hey jackass wake up" manner. I've got a question for ya. All the while the smoke from his cigarette floated lazily towards the ceiling.

Nadia woke up.

It wasn't in a startled manner though, it was a slow realization. She was faced away from the newcomer, laid on her left side. After a moment, she narrowed her eyes and fingered a small pocket on her pants, double checking she had her gun. Nadia hoped her movement would be obscured b the warm blanket she laid under. She was relieved to find that it was there.

Welp, it was now or never.

Nadia turned over to her right side to face the man, she didn't get up from her laid position, though she was tensed. Ready to move at a moment's notice. She raised a brow at the man, was he serious? "Hmm," she mused. Nadia propped her head up lazily. "Ah might be tempted to give ya an answer, but I'd like ta' know who 'ye are first."

Jeannie smiles as Jancis wraps her arms around her. one of the benefits of motorcycles free hugs from cute passengers. so after a little ride, they get to Chuckie cheese.

yay time to play, well we probably should order our pizzas first and then play while we wait what kinda do you like I like the kind with all the yummies on it. Jeannie looks around at the games to play while waiting for Janice thoughts on the pizza type they should get

Janice nods encouragingly at Jeannie. She was down for anything. "Well, yeah. As long as there aren't mushrooms." Janice twists her face. "I hate mushrooms." She opens up her purse and grabs her wallet. "Hmm, how about you get the pizza, and I'll get the coins?"

yeah there kinda slimy ok then be right back and we can start playing Jeannie skips off happily to go order their pizzas

The woman who had been with Jeanie was tense, understandably so. Someone had just technically broken into the place where she had been sleeping and started talking without notice. Most people would be startled. Still Rozmer would laugh a little as he placed his hands on his knees and stood. Lifting his hands up in a peaceful "I don't mean any harm" sort of way he'd lightly wave and speak up.

Name's Rozmer he'd puff out through his cigarette. I guess you could say I'm a friend of Jeanie's. No that wasn't exactly right. Well, I sorta stopped her from causing an international incident along with some other guy once so calling her a friend might be a stretch. He'd smile wryly at this.

And you are? he'd say motioning for her to give her name as well. Like I said I know Jeanie but I've got no idea who you are. Hovering a few inches off the ground he'd slowly float over to the adjacent bed and sit down. Leaning forward, he'd rest his elbows on his knees in a relaxed position closer to the woman in the bed.

Which is what brings me here he'd continue before flicking the cigarette in his mouth with his tongue to shake off the ash at its tip. You see I know the two of you have something, something far more dangerous than you might realize. But then I don't know who you are so maybe you do know whats in that book. Despite his relaxed posture, there was tension in his voice. Clearly Rozmer was not happy with the current situation, but violence was not his aim.

And so we get to my question...or...well...questions. Where is the book? And what do you know about it?

Janice nods and walks off to the counter to get some coins. She buys the biggest amount she can from the uninterested teen at the register.

---
Nadia raised her brows minutely. She absentmindedly questioned what nearly world-ending incident Jeannie instigated, but figured she was better off knowing for now. Nadia figured that this guy might not be too, bad. Though she was a bit paranoid at giving this guy her name. A mage like her knew that names had power, but she dared to risk it this time. "Nadia," she answered, it was only fair anyways.

Nadia fidgeted uncomfortably at how close this guy was getting. She hoped her nervousness didn't show too much.

She paused, she had figured someone would come after that ratty old book, just hadn't realized this early.

"See, here's the thing," she began. Nadia crossed her arms over her chest defensively. "Ah don't much feel like givin' up where that book is to a stranger, least of all one that appeared into my hotel room outta' thin air." She tilted her head. She honestly wasn't sure why this man thought he could come up here asking these things of her, sure he was intimidating, but not that much. "But, ah can tell ya' this much. Ah do know what's in the book, ah know what kinda horrible monstrosities and old gods those rituals can conjure up. They'd send good ol' earth to hell in a handbasket. But, ah also know, that isn't all that book's got between it's covers," she drawls. It pains her to admit it, but she knows she'd have a hell of a time testing out the spells in that book, the temptation calls to her even now. But the risk might just outweigh the benefits this time.

Jeannie Smiles excited when she see all the coins Janice got them to play withyay time for fun!!! I bet we can win all kinds of prizes with that many. I might take awhile for pizza they said cause I ordered a whole bunch cause I eat a lot and wanted to make sure there was enough for you too,so what should we play first?

A contented smile would stretch over Rozmer's face as he listened to the woman before him. She was smart not to just give up the information to him. After all, though he knew he was of no threat to her, she clearly didn't. He was a stranger here, a potentially dangerous stranger asking to simply be handed an artifact of great power, potentially world ending.

Honestly he said, his body remaining loose and relaxed. I've gotta say I'm glad you didn't just hand it over, means you've got a head on your shoulders. Lifting a hand, he'd knock once or twice on his blonde haired head to emphasize his point. Too often it seemed that the people he ran into were completely lacking in common sense, like a child with ADD just jumping from one thing to another, acting on impulse. It was refreshing to come in contact with someone who more that a second's worth of thought into their actions. That however didn't change the fact that he needed to deal with the book before something horrible could be done with it.

It also means you know the implications that letting that book fall into the wrong hands could have. I assure you I'm more than aware of them as well. That's why I'm here. Standing now, he'd hover towards the night stand on the other side of the bed, his legs passing through the wood and cushioning like they weren't even there. Reaching the other side, he'd pull open the drawer, hoping the book would be inside but finding nothing. Turning his head back to the woman he'd continue to speak.

I want to make sure that no one ever has the chance to use the knowledge in that book again. I don't know anything about what else is contained in it and I don't honestly care. Its dangerous and needs to be destroyed. He'd straighten up now, standing tall and facing the woman. So please, make this easy on me and just hand it over. Shrugging his shoulders he would add one last little bit. Otherwise I'm going to have to go looking for it and i'll be far less nice about that.

Janice tilted her head to the side, what did she want to play? It was a tough choice, but seeing as she was musically inclined, she excitedly gestured her hand towards the Guitar hero. "What about that one?"


Nadia crossed her arms, she could understand what this guy was getting at, even if he was asking for a bit of blind faith here. She thought to the blood bound box in the closet, unable to be opened without her. "Thanks,  ah suppose. Not sure how much weight that compliment holds though, sugar."

She scrunched her face together as he shifted through the hotel furniture, it messed with her head.  "Here's the thing though, darlin' ah'm a paranoid creature by nature, so ah'm already iffy on even thinking about handing it over," she shifts into a tense position. The guy seemed chill, but he also seemed to be running out of patience. "So, how about this, you figure out a way to show to me that you ain't gonna use it for your own gain, and then ah'll think about handing it over. " She tilted he head to the side, long curls bobbing around her face,  "Seem fair?"

yay i love Guitar hero!!!!!!!!!!!! let's play Jeannie excitedly grabs one of the controllers ready to play. she thinks it's great they like the same game. good thing to have in common . of course Jeannie likes all kinds of games so whatever Janice picked she'd like it
nice to know Janice likes music apparently.
her date is off to a great start she thinks

Rozmer let out an amused belly laugh as she questioned whether his compliment to her sanity held any merit. No I'm sure you don't. After all I did just show up in your room while you slept unannounced he continued to chuckle considering the situation. Honestly it wasn't his best bit of diplomacy. Looking back on it he probably should have just knocked on the door, said hello and so on and so on. But that would have still presented the issue of him having knowledge about the book and that she possessed it. Honestly he felt he would have appeared like more of a weirdo if he had pretended to be a regular joe in this situation than just putting it all on the table. The strategy remained at the top of his list as the woman asked for a show of good faith.

Look he began, phasing back through the bed, approaching the woman on the other side. You've seen a small portion of what I'm capable of, know that I got in here undetected. If I wanted to I could have just searched the place in silence and taken the book...but I didn't. Then he would pause letting that fact sink in for a bit. had he any reason to steal the book or any ill will towards the woman this entire situation would have gone very differently. Sure I technically entered your dwelling without your permission but I immediately alerted you to my presence. Saying this, he plucked the cigarette from his mouth and it would immediately disappear. The only evidence that it had ever been there was the last trail of smoke that rose from it and dispersed to the ceiling. If none of that suffices to convince you that I'm here on honest intentions then I'm open to suggestions. Holding his arms out, he awaited her response.

Nadia looked at the man. Ske couldn't detect any lies from him. He seemed like a what you see is what you get kind of guy. Narrowing her eyes she thought to the box the book was held in. She grimaced at the thought of Jeannie figuring out the book was gone, but with the power demonstration this guy was giving, she figured it would probably be better off with him anyways. Nadia shook her head tiredly. "There's a box in the closet, small wooden. Ya couldn't miss it," she stated. The box was sealed with wards, only she could really open it, and she figured that if the guy was really honest that he wouldn't even need to get in the thing. She huffed and sat back onto the bed. "It's sealed shut. Ah'll know if it's tampered with," she states. It's a subtle warning, not necessarily a threat.

--'

Janice picks up the guitar on the other side of Jeannie. She slips a few coins into the slot and eagerly shifts through the song selections. Aha! Here's what she was looking for. "Barracuda?" She asks Jeannie. It's her favorite song to play.

good choice I like that one two. let's go!!
Jeannie smiles excitedly waiting for the game to start.

With a startling precision, Janice strums out the first few chords on her side of the screen. She made it look easy!

But this was no easy level.

Janice had turned it up to hard, she smiled mischievously and sent a little wink to Jeannie, "Hope you can keep up!"

ok then I'll try Jeannie smiled as she plays the chords lucky for Jeannie her quick reflexes made her very good games like this. yay, Jeannie just loves games and looks like Janice did too by how good she was. how fun