Theft of Dangerous Writings

Pallas · Sep 2, 2019

Standing outside of what was holy ground, there was something quint to see a renaissance-era church sandwiched between two decaying apartment complexes. But they did not come all this way to lament the sorry state of the neighborhood this little church was located in. They were here for her former master's accursed books which somehow manage to have hidden themselves in this holy place.

Still there was splendor that even this church still casts: walls of marble and motifs of angels, demons, and holy men. The inside itself was as grand as its exterior with tall columns holding, frescoes of biblical evens, and large stain glass figure of Jesus looking over everyone at the far end of the church. All of it a testament to the craft of those artisans whom labored centuries ago in the name of their god. Such architecture was oblivious meant to inspire the human spirit but to candle, it was hard to really see anything more than a stone hall.

"We are here now." announced Candle as they stood by the entryway, this time wearing clothing that draw far less attention than that maid outfit. "Now, are all ready? The tour will start soon, during which time time we be shown all around the church which includes the basement."

Basement of course being their prime target as that is where the churches collection of books where stored.

@Zora
@Kait

Zora · Sep 3, 2019

"Yes, ready as can be," Monday said solemnly. The witch was feeling slightly more fidgety than normal and because of that, his hair was slightly out of place and dishevelled looking as he had run his hand through it more than a couple of times since the left the hotel earlier.

"The tour should start shortly," he added as his eyes moved nervously to the marble carvings of saints and dark themed religious portraits hung throughout the church. It was really a weirdly imposing place. Monday had forgotten as he looked around the room just how much churches both awed and repelled him.

Kait · Sep 21, 2019

Ganymede had only been in one church before. It was one of the ones on Manta Carlos - he had poked around it to help him prepare for this.

This one was much more grand. It intimidated and excited him. He fiddled with his ear nervously, feeling along the rounded edge of it that came with a human shape charm. It was a nervous habit he'd picked up out here, and it had already saved him once from leaving his human shape charm at the hotel.

To pass the time until the tour began, he pointed at one of the portraits of saints he had seen before and started telling Candle and Monday about his story.

Pallas · Sep 22, 2019

Candle listen to Ganymede as pointed out the portraits of saints and speaks of their tales. It was surprising how knowledgeable Ganymede in as something as obscure as Catholic saints. And it would seem that they were not the only one impressed by Ganymede's knowledge.

"Ah, I see the boy knows much already. Perhaps we should have him be in charge of the tours today." spoke up the voice of elderly man behind them. When Candle looked to see whom there was a wizen man in surprisingly peak health smiling kindly to the three of them.

"Ho ho! I hope none of you minded me listening a bit but it was a real treat for me to hear a young one speak so passionately on the history of the saints. The younger generation doesn't seem to care but... as are the times. Now are you all here for the tour today? If so we are just about ready to get started." inquired the man with his thick Italian accent as he looked from Ganymede, to Candle, then finally to Monday.

"Oh... that we are sir-" before Candle could finish the old man was quick to interject and beckon them over to a small crowd gathering inside.

"Che bello! Good good please come on over. Oh please, sir is too formal good miss. Just call me Enrico, just like on my name tag." said Enrico, quickly pointing to the small rectangular brass plate with the man's name etched onto the metallic surface. "And today I will be guide to this wonderful church in our little city of Genoa ha ha! Now gather round gather round everyone! The tour is about to begin!"

As Enrico mustered the crowd over to him, Candle took a moment to think. They they looked to Ganymede and Monday.

"I suppose we should make our way to the crowd now. Once we are in the basements look for the books. Monday and I will be sure to keep the guide and the other tourist occupied so that no one will notice you if all things go according to plan." said Candle in hushed voice so that only the two could hear them. Last thing the need was be arrested in another country trying to smuggle out magical and dangerous books.

Zora · Sep 23, 2019

Monday smiled politely at the elderly gentleman when they commented on Ganymede's knowledge of the portraits.

"Yes, my son," here Monday glanced at Ganymede and smiled while also giving him a small conspiratorial wink. "is quite knowledgable on the subject. His mother was a devote Catholic and loved all the stories of the saints and their lives. Unfortunately, she passed away before we could visit Italy. She would have loved to be here today," Monday explained, using a cover story to explain - if anyone asked - why the three were there today on the tour.

Chatting amicably a few more minutes with the old man, Monday breathed a sigh of relief when Enrico finally called over the group to start the tour.

"Okay, let's do this..." Monday murmured in reply to Candle's suggestion. "And stay safe, Gany. If anyone catches you, you can always say something about the saints fascinating you or something. Candle and I will do our best to try to keep everyone distracted," he said as he got down on one knee and straightened Ganymede's tie as he took a second to reassure them.

"Also, if you need to disappear - for any reason, do it okay?" he said very quietly as he met Gany's gaze. "We will meet up later at the hotel." he added as he looked up at Candle for confirmation.

Kait · Nov 11, 2019

Ganymede beamed for a second. It was nice that Monday could call him his son without putting him in danger, now. He had to remind himself that his 'dad' was talking about his fake dead mom after a couple of seconds, and he needed to stop smiling immediately or it would look weird.

The conversation with the nosy old guy continued and finished, and then they moved on to start the tour.

Gany saw very little reason why he would need to be visible at all while he did his work, but it was nice to go through a normal tour like a normal family on vacation. He indulged himself in staying by Monday's side, for a while, until the tour had given him a clearer idea of where the book should be. Shortly after, he nudged Monday's side, smiled up at him and Candle, and slipped behind a corner to disappear.

Now he would start the long process of sifting through the bookshelves of their oldest, most unusual texts. All while invisible. Someone would need to be able to spot a ghost to spot him.

Pallas · Nov 18, 2019

Candle nodded to Monday in silent confirmation. Candle's gaze then lingers onto Ganymede, pondering for a moment if it was wise to put this burdensome task on the shoulder's of child. Irresponsible as it was, there was at last no one else more suited for the task at hand. All that Candle could do now was to play their part along with Monday so that Ganymede could work unimpeded.

Their tour guide Enirco proved to be very... enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge of the history of this church and its contents. Even as something as insignificant as some scratch on wall had he could speak at great lengths like he was retelling Homer's Illiad from memory. Thankfully this proved advantageous for them as all they had to was point and ask about something and the tour guide would recite everything one would ever want to know about it. Candle suspected their apparent curiosity delighted the old man if their wide smile was anything to go by.

The rest of the group however seemed rather disinterested in Enrico's exposition and where content taking pictures of the church, artifacts, or of themselves. Thankfully they too where distracted with the more interesting things such as in the church they all overlooked the bookshelves that Ganymede was perusing.

"- and this here is the stain glass Jesus and Mary of this church made in the late 15th century. Sadly the name of the artisan whom crafted this work of beauty is lost to us but thankfully his craft was not. You may recognize this being the same the stain glass window by the church alter but this one here is in fact the original while the one upstairs a copy made during the 1940's at the height of World War 2. You see during the war there was a great concern that Allied bombing would destroy the cultural heritage of Genoa so much of the artwork was removed and taken to safe place in the mountains of Italy. After the war, the original was returned but kept down her for safekeeping while copy you see has remained." spoke Enrico whom after telling his story checked his antiquated watch on his wrist "Ah it would seem that we are just about run out of time down here. Now does anyone have quick question before we move on with the tour?"

It was at this moment Candle realized they were running out of time and tried to glance over to Ganymede to see if he found the books yet if he needed them to by more time.

Kait · Nov 21, 2019

Well, this was a predicament.

Ganymede found the book. However, it was on a very high shelf. A grown man wouldn't be able to reach this high without assistance, let alone a small boy like Gany. His plan had originally been to just phase in, pull the book out, then phase out again. After that, he would probably take the book back to the hotel room. Maybe if he had time he could fly back to discreetly join the tour like nothing happened, or like he wandered off and got lost.

But he couldn't just decloak and pull it out if he couldn't reach it. So, still invisible, he just floated in place by the bookshelf and weighed his options. He tried and failed to find good footholds in the shelf. He considered trying to quickly decloak, yank the books mid fall, and recloak, but that was a risky proposition indeed - he could knock one of the shelves over like that! Or make all kinds of noise and draw all kinds of attention, possibly without even getting the books.

Maybe it was time for an experiment.

Ganymede held out his invisible hand as though to pinch at a corner of the book. He looked around, making sure nobody might see this. Then, he reappeared for a split second, pinching that part of the book's spine as hard as he could before disappearing again.

It felt like a miracle - the book disappeared with him! He took a moment to get a better grasp on it, then he flew back to the hotel to store it one of their suitcases.

Ganymede reappeared for the tour group about seven minutes after he disappeared. He simply walked around a corner and rejoined them, hoping nobody would make a big deal of his absence.

Zora · Nov 22, 2019

Monday was pretending to listen to their tour guide as they moved through the cathedral. Though the truth was he was worried about whether Ganymede had found the book or not, and if he had, whether he was having any trouble getting it.

To be sure it was frustrating knowing he couldn't do much to help, and the witch glanced a few times at Candle and then around the room anxiously as if he expected the worse to happen.

"Ganymede!" Monday exclaimed in a hushed and very relieved whisper when they returned not more than ten minutes later.

"Is everything ok?" the witch asked quietly, a very concerned look on his face.

Pallas · Nov 23, 2019

Although Candle didn't show it, they too were concerned for Ganymede. A concern that only grew as what was suppose to be a quick grab was taking longer than they expected. Monday too seemed anxious on Ganymede's status and there was little time left before the tour had to move on.

Before either they or Monday could consider something drastic, Ganymede finally made their appearance, much to the relief of both. In fact Monday was quick to rush over to Ganymede's side. Candle on the other hand just calmly walks over and bends to one knee.

"Were you able to find it?" discreetly asked Candle, speaking low so that only Ganymede and Monday could hear.

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Theft of Dangerous Writings

Pallas

Moderator

Zora

Event Witch

Kait

Gay Idiot

Pallas

Moderator

Zora

Event Witch

Kait

Gay Idiot

Pallas

Moderator

Kait

Gay Idiot

Zora

Event Witch

Pallas

Moderator