02 [Video]

[memoriesinsmoke]

[So this is awkward. Liz has never been very good at talking about business beyond "what do you need me to burn". Handling everyone as a group was always Kate's thing - but Kate isn't here, and Hellboy's skills with rounding people up usually leave something to be desired. So she's just going to put on her best poker-face and do this.

Thankfully, she's always been good at keeping a straight face.]

I'm sure something everyone's noticed about this place is that there's no shortage of paranormal things going on. Some of you may be used to it, while others probably aren't.

For those of you that don't know me, I'm Agent Elizabeth Sherman, and back home I work for the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. Our job was to research, monitor, and investigate paranormal happenings around the world. ... And defend mankind from it, whenever it came to that. [Which it did. Very frequently.]

Considering the nature of this place, I thought it would be wise to try and put together something similar over here. That way the next time something happens, we'll have a group ready to take care of the problem without having to worry about civilians and other non-combatants getting caught up in the mess.

Of course, it's the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. So along with fighters, we'll need people with knowledge of the paranormal - and who could maybe help with looking into finding more information about the nature of the things found in this world - people who can keep records of what's already happened... office kind of stuff, basically. [She does paperwork when she has to, but it's not her forte, okay.]

If you're interested, let me know your experience with this sort of thing and what you're planning to contribute, and we can work something out.

Comments

[thetyrant]

[His expression is completely neutral, but there are several other involuntary signs of anxiety. Sweat is visible on Logan's brow, his left hand sitting just within few is clenching and flexing, and there's a slight tremor to his shoulders. But his face is a picture of composure and his voice is steady and calm.]

What exactly qualifies as the paranormal? I ask because while my world has certain...entities...it also has magic as an openly discussed topic, as a matter of course. I understand it's not the same in many worlds.

[memoriesinsmoke]

[Liz doesn't miss those signs, but she doesn't plan on mentioning them unless they become particularly relevant.]

Magic, spirits, demons, aliens... that sort of thing. Of course, just because something is considered paranormal doesn't automatically make it a threat.

[thetyrant]

I see. I have a little experience with these things. My mother could use Will, what you seem to call magic, as could a friend of hers I grew up with. My sister can as well, though I haven't seen hers work.

[Clench. Flex.]

And there are other things. Creatures.

[memoriesinsmoke]

Any idea what kind of creatures they are? Or just 'creatures'?

[thetyrant]

[He looks to the side, considering.] Hobbes are smallish, deformed creatures, said to be children who have had their souls eaten by a dark nymph. It's never clear whether such stories are the truth. And the white balverines, wolflike creatures who turn into men and can bite other men to make more white balverines. Brown balverines are smaller, weaker, and don't apparently turn into anything else, although one is still more than a match for most skilled warriors.

[memoriesinsmoke]

Sounds similar to some of the things we have back where I'm from. [So that's a start.] And do you know how to fight these creatures, if necessary?

[thetyrant]

They all fall to a sword easily enough, though silver is effective against balverines, especially the white.

[memoriesinsmoke]

That's something, at least.

Though we don't know what creatures might be here, aside from the ghosts a few months back, and the llothi that were apparently on the mainland. Until we have something else happen, the most we can do is try and do some research about what else could be here.

[thetyrant]

There is also...

[He hesitates, badly. Anyone in Albion he tried to tell about this would think he was mad. They would. But this woman is asking, she already believes, so maybe...maybe?]

Forgive me, it's difficult to explain. A creature of...a dark creature. Very dark. Perhaps I could organize my thoughts better if I wrote them, and gave the results to you.

[memoriesinsmoke]

In writing is fine, thank you. I don't think I got your name, though? [Knowing the names of people interested is kind of important, after all.]

[thetyrant]

Logan.

[memoriesinsmoke]

Logan, then. Good to meet you.

Feel free to send that information whenever's convenient for you.

[thetyrant]

I will. Thank you.