Freehold of Minuit

The fire today had reminded her of another fire that happened, literally just the other day. It was almost as if this was turning into a pattern. Samantha was pretty sure she hadn't been to blame for *today's* blaze, but she also couldn't be certain that bad luck wasn't following her around. Maybe even trying to kill her. Stranger things had certainly happened. In any case, that just made her investigation all the more important; causing her to return to the house she'd been staying in since her return.

Which was now a blackened ruin of a structure.

She watched from afar for a bit; to see if there were any people around. It might be that the fire department had still cordoned the place of, to investigate its cause, or warn people away because things might still collapse further. Not that that would stop her investigation much; and while she was somewhat interested in whatever people might be saying about the fire... especially the authorities... her purpose her was wider than that. She drew back a little, finding a quiet spot; just out of sight; and... started to fade from existence.

The process took a short while to complete, but when it did she was... well, what was she in this state? Incorporeal was the best way to describe it. Perhaps it was the realm of Twilight. Perhaps it was a facsimile of it. Either way, it served her purposes.

Samantha looked around again, to see if there were any immediate signs of ghosts, spirits, or other manifestations of the supernatural. And then she would move toward the ruin. There had been death here very recently; and if their souls still lingered, then surely they would be bound to the ruins? Or something perhaps still hidden underneath the rubble?

She had to... make amends somehow.




Dexterity + Occult: Helldiving: 7d10o10h8 5 - 1 glamour spent; Samantha now acts as adematerialized Hedge ghost; and should be able to see and interact with other Helldivers, changelings using the Whispers of Morning Contract, the unquiet dead, and spirits of all stripes.

The twilight reflected the scene of the aftermath, burnt wood and broken boards jutting out at odd angles. Ghostly, ethereal tongues of flame licked at the air. A rustling sound alerted Samantha to something near the back stairwell. Then there was a shriek of pain and torment that rose hairs on the back of the neck.

It caused her a fright indeed, she of the Leaden Mirror. But many a fright had been had in her years of service to Mother. What more could fear do to her here, in this place? No, she would not hesitate; and moved toward the back stairwell.

A ghostly set of legs kicked out from under the collapsed remains of the stairs, eternally trapped and being crushed under the weight of the twilight.

"Une moment," Samantha said.

Perhaps she might remove some of those ghostly echoes of falling rubble, to free the ghost trapped beneath. It was worth a try; the Darkling thought as she bent down to try it. And as she did, she wondered what it would take to aid them in a more permanent capacity. The subject *was* one she might be considered an expert in, so perhaps she could figure it out.

With some effort, and a bit of ingenuity, it wouldn't be difficult to pry the trapped ghost out from under the rubble. When freed, Samantha would easily recognize the ghost of the human she had bound to her service not too long ago.

She wasn't sure if they would even be in a state to talk. Ghosts could be, broken, at times. Some knew what they were perhaps. Others might be stuck in loops. Or think they were still alive. Unpredictable, is what they were. In any event, it was unlikely that this was the only ghost around. She knew of at least one other ghostly resident after all, one of seniority. Her head turned a moment, scanning for any signs of it, before returning her gaze to the one in front of her.

"Rebecca cher, mal pris, no? Is all good now."

On first glance, the other ghost was nowhere in sight. The ghost in front of Samantha placed it's hand on her arm. "Help, it's hot! So very hot! It burns! It burns! Make it stop!" The ghost's eyes were wide with fear.

"Arrete toi, cher. De fire's gone now."

She gently gripped the hand on her arm. Of course she knew it probably wouldn't help, but perhaps it might. And if not, the effort still mattered.

Samantha's thoughts returned to the question of how to help her.

"Come on, we need to go. Save him, save him!" The ghost stood and started dragging Samantha back further in the house.