Second Storm: Past and Present

Toby doesn’t say anything about the clunky, outdated phones being offered, but looks at the display of shiny, new smartphones on the other side of the store and then looks back to Suzhen with a pleading expression.

Suzhen muttered something something under her breath about being two hundred years ago and not having any money stashed away. Dragons are such hoarders that that mere thought would be inconceivable to them.

"You're just trying to get rid of old unwanted stock, aren't you." The calculative, bargaining part of her draconic nature kicked in. "They're obsolete even before we step out of this shop. Nah, let's have a look at one of these." Samsung made pretty good smartphones. Perhaps they could all turn on location tracking so that they could find each other in a pinch. That could come in handy in future. She watched as the dealer handed one of the newer models to Toby.

"Thanks, Suzhen!" Toby beams as he accepts the new phone, clearly very happy with Suzhen’s decision.

"Installment plan. My credit card should cover it." Suzhen wasn't sure that her credit was good for it, given the sad state of her bank account, but the sales guy might not know any better. Perhaps she'll figure out something before the bank bounces it a month later.

Elijah, once finally free to go, sees Edouard waiting for him already. "Now, that was a scene." He says, happy to be done with all this mess enough to forget about the artifact and notice the time. "Do you want to grab something quick to eat? I guess this will take a while to bring you up to date"

Elijah, enfin libre de partir, voit Édouard l'attendre déjà. « Alor... c'était une scène. » Il dit, heureux d'avoir fini avec tout ce désordre assez pour oublier l'artefact et remarquer l'heure avancé. « Tu veut rendre quelque chose à manger? Je suppose que cela prendra un du temps pour te mettre à jour »

"Better set up your contacts." Suzhen handed the shiny Samsung over to Toby. "And turn on the location tracker as well. I'd feel better knowing that there's some way to find you, or for you to find me, if we're in trouble."

"Thanks!" repeats Toby, cheerfully. He appears to be completely oblivious to Suzhen’s financial troubles. "That's a good idea." Happy and excited about his new phone, he does as Suzhen suggests, turning on the location tracker and setting up his contacts while on their way to La Prairie.

Elijah nods and walks to the nearest place to grab a quick bite, while telling Edouard about the strange event: the man on fire, the inextinguishable fire, the sensation of being observed and judged. Elijah also explains that he sensed the man was recently transformed and was somehow forced to work all the time as a drug dealer for Fabien because of that. He probably overstepped some demonic contract because he wanted to spend more time with his family. Elijah also points out that, though he hasn't seen any spirits around the area, the bow should be in Verdun and wonders if this is all related.
Elijah hoche la tête et se dirige vers l'endroit le plus proche pour prendre une bouchée rapide, tout en racontant à Édouard l'événement étrange: l'homme en feu, le feu inextinguible, la sensation d'être observé et jugé. Elijah explique également qu'il a senti que l'homme avait été récemment transformé et a cause de cela, il était de quelque forme obligées de travailler tout le temps comme trafiquant pour Fabien. Il a probablement rompu un contrat démoniaque parce qu'il voulait passer plus de temps avec sa famille. Elijah souligne également que, bien qu'il n'ait vu aucun esprit dans la région, l'arc devrait être à Verdun et se demande si tout cela est lié.

Elijah considers Édouard's suggestions. "Having a demonic force going around burning this many people is never a good sign. We probably should warn the ..." he pauses before mentioning the Council, now aware that there is something wrong about it Toby and Suzhen are sorting. "...someone". As Édouard calls his contact, the oracle waits patiently, carefully listening to the conversation.
Elijah considère les suggestions d'Édouard. « Avoir une force démoniaque qui brûle autant de personnes n'est jamais un bon signe. Nous devrions probablement avertir le ... » il s'arrête avant de mentionner le Conseil, conscient qu'il y a quelque chose qui cloche à ce sujet que Toby et Suzhen enquêtent. « ... quelqu'un ». Au moment où Édouard appelle son contact, l'oracle attend patiemment, écoutant attentivement la conversation.

Toby uses his new phone to call Suzhen so that he will be able to hear her when she’s inside the church. "Good luck in there," he says. "I’ll keep an eye on things out here."

"I'll leave my phone on, so you can hear what's going on." With that Suzhen headed into the church. This time, she did not enter by the main door of the santuary - the last time she did so she had inhaled the signature incense of the Ordo, designed to burn dragons and the like. She had grown immune to the effect, but even so she decided not to risk it.

Instead she entered by the previous side exit she used after her encounter in the rectory, and retraced her steps there. She wasn't sure if the Second would be around, but she was prepared to wait.