Nocturnum - Chapter I

[Dhes]

Dunstand turned over in his bed to glance at the alarm clock, groaning to himself. Dan …That’s the last time I stay up late “fixing” a pay-pal account for some girl.”

Getting unsteadily to his feet, Dunstand walks naked to the small doomroom’s kitchen for his breakfast. Dropping a coffee pad into his senseo, Dunstand rinses out a cup as he waits for the water to boil.

With coffee in hand, Dunstand takes his accustomed place behind the array of screens in his computer room. Ahh, I see my all downloads are completed. I still don’t get why people pay for games and movies. Well I’m glad they do, dad can pay for my yearly allowance because there are people that do pay for “Movies”.
Dragging Outlook to his main screen, Dunstands sees that there is just one E-mail, from professor Susan Isaacs.

From: sisaacs@towson.ede To: Dunstand@Gmail.cum
Subject: Art History project.

Dear Mr. Tybalt
This is your last warning; please hand in a completed paper on
local art history by the end of next week. I you don’t hand in a
passing paper I will be forced to fail you for my class.
Sincerely,

Professor S. Isaacs​

Dan, Dan, Dan …Well I’m sure that I can pull some bull s hit from the internet and hand that in.
Deleting the E-mail, Dunstand starts up skype and punches in Steve’s mobile number. Letting the phone ring, I should probably take a shower and throw on some clothe before I head out.

 

[Majin]

Monday, May 15 2006 - 4:30 PM

~ Dunstand ~

Getting directions to the theater from Steve, Dunstand begins to head on over to the theater.

~ Everyone Else ~

Everyone arrives at the theater around the same time, within the span of introductions by Sara Landry.

After introductions are complete, Sara looks up at the marquee and nods, "It's a sign," she says with a grin. She leads you through the front doors and into the lobby.

Upon entering the building you can see that the Paradise lobby is two stories high, with plush red carpeting and turn-of-the-century decor. Four circular sofas are here, being reupholstered by what you imagine must be Metro volunteers. Grand staircases flank the walls and lead upstairs. The walls and staircase are carved with fanciful images of nymphs and satyrs. Three large double doors appear to lead into the theater proper, while restrooms flank the wall on opposite sides to the north. Underneath each staircase is a door as well.

Reggie and Jamie wave to Vincent as they go deeper into the theater, their tasks already laid out apparently.

"It is great to have you all here," Sara exclaims. "Though you'll have to excuse me, I have something rather important that I need to do at the moment. Please, feel free to look around. And don't fall off anything!" she calls as she walks off and enters a small room to the west, underneath the leftmost grand staircase.

 

[ae1vart0n]

He had expected to be here alone to investigate the hauntings. All these people were going to get in the way.

Trying to remember anything he could about the place on his own, he started walking down the isles, looking at the artwork, the windows, the sound system and anything else that might be useful in explaining away whatever had happened.

"I had hoped to ask Sara what the hauntings were all about. Guess we're on our own for the time being. Anybody happen to know of any specific incidents?"

Roger was hoping for something small he could spend a little time on while he waited for Sara, but he also figured whatever these folks had heard was going to be the gossip he needed to focus his research around.

 

[Velmont]

~Steven~

His phone ring in his pocket. He takes his phone and look at the number shown. "Unknown... not blocked, unknown... it must be Dunstand who have done something with his phone. It is his kind." He press talk. "Hi... Dun... Yeah, I know. I was thinking the same. You know, the Paradise Theeatre is reopening... I thought it could be the subject... What? ... I'm already there... and I'm talking with one of the staff, nice girl by the way... come join me. Yeah, here the direction." He tells Dunastand the direction and close his phone. He returns his attention to Sara. "Sorry, I know it's impolite to answer phone. What? What sign... you mean what you've been working on?" he looks at the marquee. "The Paradise is coming back... sound funny like that. Sounds like we would be in hell presently. Well, Baltimore is not such a hell."

Steven look a moment at the others. He then follow Sara inside. He stare at the entrance. "Wow, that's nice. Not like the Paramount downtown." He looks at his watch. "Well, I'll wait for Dun." He walk up to one of the sofa and sits down.

 

[Insight]

"I had hoped to ask Sara what the hauntings were all about. Guess we're on our own for the time being. Anybody happen to know of any specific incidents?"

Vincent cringed, retreating slowing from Roger. "What hauntings? Here in the theatre?" he asked, softly. Mindful of his own visions, Vincent didn't mention anything further, though he had not yet seen anything to suggest something unusual was afoot here in the theatre. "Where did you hear about this?"

 

[Velmont]

Steven looks at Rogers and Vincent who are speaking as he sits on the sofa.

"Haunting?" he says to himself. "What he was talking about? I must tell form the outside, it is the type of theatre that look haunted. Could be cool to see a ghost. Does a ghost drain life like in D&D. Would be bad to get killed because I got touch be a ghost."

 

[ae1vart0n]

Realizing he'd said more than he should, Roger tried to lighten the mood.

"No," he said laughiing between his words, "not real hauntings. Your right though, the place does have the look for it. I'm looking for rumors. Storys people have made up. My job is to restore this theatre's reputation by clearing the air of them. I suppose if you haven't heard any then my job won't be too hard."

The place did indeed look like it could be haunted, but nine times out of ten it was just some rumor gone astray or a joke taken too seriously.

 

[Dhes]

Nice girl, maybe this won’t be so bad.

Packing his camera and laptop into his backpack, Dunstnad heads down to the “Paradise Theater”. Out side of the old theater, Dunstand takes his time to take some pictures from the outside of the building before going in.

Stepping inside he sees Steven sitting on a overly stuffed and probably ancient sofa. ”Hi Steve, so where is she and what’s her name.”

 

[Velmont]

"Hey, Dun." salutes Steven "She's not here, she told us she had some things to do and ask us to wait... her names is Sara Landry and she is the head of Metro Arts. And the other guys you see here... I don't know them, they all arrived at the same time than me. Hope it won't prevent us to do our work. If I fail that course, it is my football that goes." As Dunstand come near him. "And one spoke of ghost. Do you think this place is haunted?"

 

[Majin]

Monday, May 15 2006 - 4:50 PM

Having arrived at the theater Dunstand meets with Steven in the lobby.

Roger cannot recall anything specific about the theater, having never been open in his lifetime nor having any notable stories about it to his knowledge. Anyone following him into the screen-room proper takes in the following:

The large theater area is still a bit rickety and threadbare. It is apparent that Metro has not as of yet had the seats reupholstered, but they have repaired the broken ones and given everything a good gleaning. It also appears that a massive job of cleaning and repainting the ornately carved ceiling is nearly complete. The last patch of work is to the left, where a scaffolding stands, where a woman stands atop, working. An older gentlemen down the aisle is vacuuming.