Masks of Nyarlathotep - Chapter 1: New York City

[Toric_Arthendain]

Joe sighed audibly, looking around the interior of the small church that was like a second, or maybe even first, home to him. He couldn't help but once again marvel at the road he had travelled in becoming a priest. From boxer to psychologist to priest. Not the progression that most of his colleagues had taken, that was certain.

Inside the church, the shadows were already starting to lengthen as the winter daylight began to fade. He knew that it would be a cold walk home this night.

With these mundane thoughts flowing through his head, he picked his broom back up and once again set to the task of sweeping the foyer area. So lost in thought was he that he barely noticed when the door opened and a young gentleman stepped inside.

"Welcome to Saint Catherine's my son. What can I do for you?" Joe asked putting the broom aside.

 

[VorpalBunny]

After the priest's greeting, Professor Carter steps into the vestibule of the chruch and removes his hat.

"Good afternoon, Father. My name is John Carter. I'm looking for Father Savino. It's a matter of some importance."

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

Joe raises his eyebrows a bit in suprise. "Well, you've found him. I'm Father Savino," the priest says, "although I'm not sure what pressing matter could possibly need my attention these days, unless it is a matter of faith."

Joe picks the broom back up. "I'm just finishing up here for the day. Come back to my office Mr. Carter and we'll talk, unless a confessional is the more appropriate location for what you have to tell me."

 

[VorpalBunny]

Professor Carter smiles. "It definitely must be my lucky day."

"Your office will do fine, " Carter says as he extends his hand. "I'm pleased to finally make your acquaintance. Our mutual friend Jackson Elias has spoken very highly of you."

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

The priest shakes Carter's extended hand. "Elias? Oh yes, Jackson Elias," Joe says as he leads Carter to his tiny office in the back of the church, "I haven't heard from him in nearly two years." Joe pauses as they reach his office and he snaps on the lamp on his desk, shedding some light on the shadow-filled room, all the while wondering how much this man Carter knows about the event from two years ago that caused he and Elias to become aquainted.

Sitting down behind his desk, he offers a chair on the other side to Carter. "So, you were saying that Jackson Elias mentioned me to you? What's all this about Mr. Carter?"

 

[VorpalBunny]

Carter removes his coat, places it in his lap as he sits down and says "Thank you."

"I don't wish to take up too much of you time, Father so I'll be brief. As I've said my name is John Carter. I'm a Professor of Anthropology at Columbia University and a friend of Jackson Elias. He and I have collaborated on some books, and sometimes help each other out with research or field work."

"That relationship is what brings me to your office today. Do you remember the Carlyle Expedition, Father? It was in all the papers a few years ago. They headed to Africa, and were not seen again. It seems our mutual friend, Mr. Elias, has uncovered information regarding this doomed expedition," Carter says as he hands Father Savino the telegram.

"He asked me to assemble an investigative team to undoubtedly follow the leads he's uncovered. Are you interested? Jackson spoke highly of you so I'm sure you'll be a great asset if you accompany us."

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

Joe takes the telegram and reads it, pausing afterwards in thought. "Yes, I remember reading about the Carlyle Expedition. What exactly is it that Mr. Elias thinks he knows about the fate of that party? He wants you to assemble a team to investigate his leads? And this will require going over to Africa I assume?"

Joe leans back in his chair, managing to look unsure and excited at the same time. After several minutes of quiet, he leans forward again. "Its been a long time since I've had any adventure or excitement in my life. Believe me, when I was a bit younger, I went for this kind of thing all the time. Heck, I was a boxer in my early twenties, I sailed to New York from Naples, I was nearly killed by a car...but Africa? You've given me a great deal to think about Mr. Carter but I suppose you need an answer relatively quickly. My life of late has been about ministering to the faithful and that is the only thing that gives me pause in accepting your offer." Again Joe pauses, rubbing his graying temples. After a few more minutes of silence, he continues. "I'm fairly certain that the Catholic leadership will be able to temporarily fill my position here. In fact, at a larger church downtown, Saint Michaels, there is an assistant Priest, recently ordained. Tom O'Dwyer I believe his name is. He would probably do nicely in my absence. Allright Mr. Carter, I'm in. I'll need a day or two to make arrangements here. What's our next step? I assume that there will be others invited into the team?"

 

[VorpalBunny]

"Excellent, Father. I'm glad to have you on the team." The broad grin found its way back to Carter's face.

"Our next step will be to visit a resturant downtown. I'm an acquaintaince of the owner, a nice English chap. I talk with him frequently, and I believe he may be able to offer something to our expedition as well."

"I'll hail a taxi while you fetch your coat."

[OOC: BTW, great pic Toric!!]

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

"Okay, I'll be out in a second," Joe says as Carter disappears back into the church on his way outside to flag down a taxi. Joe opens the small closet and pulls his coat down from the peg inside and puts it on. He grabs his hat and scarf and throws those on as well as he makes his way outside. Although ready for the cold, he is still suprised at the sharpness of it, the way it seems to cut right through him. Seeing Carter by the curb waiting for a taxi, Joe moves to stand next to him.

"So, does this restaurant we're going to have good food?" Joe asks smiling. "I'm famished!"

OOC: Thanks VB! I thought the picture was a perfect fit for Father Joe.

 

[Yellow Sign]

When Professor Carter hails a taxi, one quickly pulls up and then you are off.
"My lucky day indeed" thinks Carter. In a few short minutes you arrive at Ryon's Cafe. You seem to have missed the lunch crowd as the resturant is only a quarter full. The smell of cooking steaks wets your appetites. As you ask after Mr. Anderson, the head waiter sits you in his section next to a par of twins. The more daper of the two sits smoking a cigar over a half eaten plate while the more burly twin digs into his plate of food. At that moment, Mr. Anderson arrives at your table.

OOC: LOL, great picture! Fits Father Joe perfectly. Just for your information, Professor Carter knows the twins from a robbery at the college about six months ago. Some aztec pottery was stolen and a reward offered for its return. The twin's returned it a few days later, saying that they had found it in a ally. (they had really taken it from the real thieves and Shorty knowing it's real value figured the best way to get money out of them was to return them for the reward) Professor Carter was impressed with Shorty's knowledge of Archaeology and struck up a casual friendship.