Vol 2. Ch3. I can seeee you!

[dakota]

Quiet surprise washed over Coop as the guards materialized. It made him realize just how deep he had gotten himself into the situation. " How powerful are these people who want to release the Old Ones? " then a thought occured to him. " Are there more guarding our apartment? Or is there a spell you can cast on the place so we know it someones been in there while we're out? I'd really hate to get home and find another of those demons sitting on the couch waiting for me, even if do have protection."

[tag]

[Renekin Skywalker]

(Sarah)

Her father nods. "This is why we had set Eleutheroi up as the distraction. He's far more experienced and powerful than Coop. But, that can't be helped, now. They may come for you, but they're not criminals, only obsessed, so you'ld be in less danger than coop. More tragic, really, that they'ld be so blind to the damage they'll cause, and all in the name of defense."

(Coop)
Tobrias looks over at Coop. "Your apartment was seen to a long time ago." He says, distractedly, almost as if he had expected Coop to have forseen this. "More than a year now, to be honest. But that is neither here nor there. We will prepare something to protect you if the guards fail. It may require a slight wardrobe change, though."

(Sarah)
Moltavius ponders for a second. "Actually, the safest places will be Coop's - and your apartment, the house (ie. the Lockaheart family home) and here. So, if you need to run, there's places."

At the question of evidence, he looks her dead in the eye. "They will get off if we can't catch them in the act, which won't be as easy as at the Accountant's Dilemma. That guy was sloppy. These generals will have guards and warnings set up. If we cannot catch them there, we'll need to make it damn obvious they were involved. But, it will not be anything made up, if we can help it."

[dakota]

" Did you intend to tell us?" Coop said as Tobrias caught him by surprise that the apartment was already secured. He shook his head slightly, " Doesn't matter, you can tell me later. " what do have in mind , what's wrong with my clothes?" He looked down at his attire.

[tag]

[Mierin]

Sarah nods reluctantly. "I understand that it's important that when we do take them down, we have an iron-clad case so they won't get off on a technicality. At least we won't be making up evidence to make it look like they are guilty if they really aren't. That was what I was worried about."

Looking scared, she asks "Do you really think I'm ready for this? I know I've been heading to this point all my life, but now that it's here I don't know what to do. Did you ever feel that way?"
(tag)

[Renekin Skywalker]

(Coop)
"I had left that for you to figure out, Mr. Cooper." Tobrias says, smiling slightly. "Think of it as a test, or as a means to realise how we knew what your family was doing long before we appeared to do anything. Maybe, perhaps even before you met Miss Lockheart?"

However, before Coop had a chance to respond, Tobrias's face smoothes and he continues. "But enough of conjecture for the moment. Your clothes, as they are, while lacking a certain... flare, are by far unsafe. We will supply you with a coat, at least, that you will have to wear while outside your apartment. And a robe for inside. The coat will be full-length, but professional. They will be augmented with wards to protect you from attack."

(Sarah)
"This is nothing. Just a criminal investigation, sweetheart." Moltavius says. "Wait until Macho John makes his move. That is what you have been training for." Putting his hands on her shoulder, he says, "But, you're my daughter, and I don't raise idiots. So you'll do fine."

"Now, last time we did this, I was already known in circles as the decree slayer. The military already suspects that you are, since Holia came to you. Hopefully he's kept it secret like he promised, so the brass may not suspect." Moltavius says. "But we can't count on that. We'll need safer clothes. Tobrias has a supplier that can get you a very nice coat.

"Also, Coop will have to give some kind of press conference. Let the public know that the Decree Slayer is working with the guild and the police to combat a recent spate of summonnings. He could maybe ham it up a bit with his family history. He'll face it in the press conference anyways, so putting it on his terms will make it easier for him. You with me so far." Meanwhile, You, I, and whatever Fayde guards we can spare and police we can trust, will raid the hotel. Bring it down. Quick, simple. What do you think?"

[Mierin]

Sarah still looks nervous and troubled, but nods and says "I think that would work." At the mention of safer clothes, she asks "A new coat? Oh, do you mean clothes that have armour spells on them?" She feels bad for Coop since he has to be in a press conference, but hopes she will be able to be of some support to him in the background.
(tag)

[dakota]

Coop kept his emotions in check at Tobrias' suggestion that the apartment was under surveillance, though his mind did drift as he wondered just how much of what went on the Guild actually saw. Her dad hasn't said anything, so I guess he isn't in on it he thought to himself, but his attention heightened as Tobrias changed the subject. He shrugged, looking down at his jeans and shirt again," As long as I don't have to wear a suit, I'll manage. That will protect me, but what about defending myself? Or is that up to the guards?"

[tag]

[Renekin Skywalker]

(Coop)
"Well, naturally, we will expect you to maintain your own vigilence, and Eleutheroi will be a visual presence. You will need to dress better... You're a role model, now." Tobrias says. "We should check on the Lockhearts. And he waves Coop out the door.

(Sarah)
"The very same." Moltavius says. "Hopefully they'll make my little girl look pretty."

As they're about the plan, Tobrias comes in, with Rozatonosky and Eleutheroi. "So." Says Tobrias. "What have we decided?"

[Mierin]

Sarah smiles at her dad and turns as Tobrias, Rozatonosky and Eleutheroi come into the room. She then fills them in on what she and her dad had decided to do. She then falls quiet and waits for their reaction.
(tag)

[dakota]

Coop followed behind Tobrias, and dropped back behind Eluetheroi and Rozatonosky before entering the room. Sarah was already explaining when he came in, and did his best not to distract her as he took a seat. He tried not to show his discomfort at the idea of a press conference, and merely folded his arms to his chest.

[tag]

[Renekin Skywalker]

Rozatonosky seemed the least comfortable with the plan. "We'ld need a warrant. That would tip them off." Though he grinned slightly. "Unless we suspect someone's in distress. The Cooper's kidnapped a young woman for their rituals, ri-" Clearing his throat, he says. "Sorry Mr. Cooper... In any event, we can always act on that suspicion."

He looked at Moltavius and Sarah. "Do you suspect that?"

Tobrias, meanwhile, had taken his hand off of Coop's shoulder, which he had put there, rather paternally, as the officer was talking, just in case. "That is the simpler part of the plan, to be honest." The Guild Master says. "The press conference worries me more. Mr. Cooper may not be ready for a media assault, even with you, me, the counsellor and a script between him and them."

"But it could work to our advantage." Eleutheroi says. "You always say the decoy should be convincing. What's more convincing than a nervous young man facing the media for the first time since the disgrace of his family, to tell the city he won't let it happen again? Sorry, Coop, but you really do make for a great story."

Rozatonosky looks at Tobrias and Eleutheroi. "You're including the counsellor?! You know what he'll do to the kid. This will give him his platform for magic registration. He'll twist Cooper's words."

"I know." Says Tobrias. "But the point is to keep them watching.' He didn't seem worried about magic registration. "The city has one of the best rulesets for magic usage."

"But he's a bigot." Says Rozatonosky. "Hates magic. He barely funds us, and that's only because he wants the city to be the law instead of you all, Decree Slayers included."

"Hello?" Says Eleutheroi. "Big giant denizens of supreme evil? Remember them? One politician isn't a big concern."

"He has a point." Says Moltavius... but he started to get drummed out as the other three started into a debate about how sensible this action was. After a second, Moltavius nudged Sarah, since he'ld gone quiet, noting what was going on. "I'm retired, dear, remember? Try not to pierce these old ears, though."

[dakota]

Tobrias' gentle touch on the shoulder seemed to somehow keep Coop's emotions in check as the detective brought up his past yet again. He listened to the others bicker, and wanted to interupt, but couldn't quite draw the courage to do it. He looked over the Lockharts with a smirk and a shrug and then refolded his arms to his chest, barely paying attention to the arguement.

[tag]

[Mierin]

Sarah makes a gesture to indicate that Coop and Moltavius should plug their ears. Once they have, she whistles shrilly to get everyone's attention. Once they've calmed down, she says in a normal tone of voice "Eleutheroi's right. We need to focus on the task at hand." Turning to the detective, she nods and says "Yes, there is suspicion that people are in danger because of what is happening. We need to take care of that first and foremost." Sarah's face shows Coop that she's not happy about him having to do the press conference and that she hopes he will be ok.
(tag)

[Renekin Skywalker]

Tobrias calms down, and looks at Sarah. "The decision is made on the assault, then." Rozatonosky looked about ready to disagree on the term 'assault' but thought the better of it. "Eleutheroi and Moltavius can help arrange the plans."

"In the meanwhile, what about the press release?" Says Moltavius to Sarah. "You still have to make that call. Coop, how do you feel?"

[Mierin]

Sarah sighs and says "I don't like it, but it is a good idea. I think if we try to make something up as a distraction it will not work and the whole thing will fall through." She looks over at Coop and asks him "You're the one that has to do it, what do you think?" Sarah had no plans on forcing Coop to do this if he truly didn't want to, and waits for his response.
(tag)