Somewhere in the Middle

[[IC date: very late Wednesday/very early Thursday]]

[Israel Cohen] [[Gonna get the rolls out of the way and then I'll open with a description for them/'bringing Molly over']]

[Israel Cohen] [[Long distance Consecration. Prime 2, Corr 2. Diff: 5. -1 Practiced, -1 Taking time. -1 Quint to empower the Rote. 1 to cast, 1 to target, 1 for corr chart, 1 for duration [scene]]] WP
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 3, 4, 9 (Success x 4 at target 3) [WP]

[Israel Cohen] [[Apportating Consecrated Molly. Corr 3, Life 1. Diff: 6. -1 Practiced, -1 Taking Time, -1 Quint. 1 to cast, 1 to target, 1 for chart.]] WP
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 3, 4, 9 (Success x 4 at target 3) [WP]

[Israel Cohen] [[And I'm an idiot... change the first "-1 Taking Time" to "-1 Near Node" and the second Taking Time and -1 Quint to "-2 Near Node" -- duh.]]

There is, at first, communication of course. A cell phone call, unless for some reason 'Other Means' are required. Enough to touch base and express a no-doubt dual sided desire to exchange information. There would be relief on Israel's end to hear that Molly was well except that the Disciple had already ascertained that via other means. She'd also spent the better part of the night doing much the same that, as it turned out, Molly, Ashley and Nora were up to: Tracking Anya. Or, in Israel's case, tracking the boy, Brandon.

When it's agreed that it would be better for Molly to come briefly to the Chantry. If Molly knows some about the higher levels of Weaving with Yechidah she may surprised when Israel claims to be able to 'Travel' Molly directly to her. Even if Molly doesn't know to wonder, Israel warns that the Cultist will feel the blind woman's Resonance shifting within her Pattern while she enacts a Consecration. Soon after permission is given Molly begins to feel the Magic...

...Now, Molly has felt Israel's Resonance. There's nothing "new" about that, per se. But it is one thing to feel and note anothers Resonance and another thing entirely to feel some part of it lace itself through your own Pattern. In the act of Consecration Israel is temporarily imparting something of her very Essence into Molly: At first the whispering precision of a Piercing quality, not in so much as it cuts but the ability to focus past all other distractions. Then the strongest: The Sorrowful and in some small measure Molly may well wonder how it is that Israel doesn't spend every waking moment weeping. [In truth Israel often weeps silently in her sleep but only Solomon would know the truth of that] When lamentations may seem a burden too heavy to bear, though, then comes Hopefilled promise, the universal Sister of Faith.

After that the matter is simple, really: It becomes an act of calling Like to Like. Reaching out for her own interlaced Being within Molly and drawing it to the core of her own Pattern. In this case from the warehouse to the cave-system basement of the Chantry. The Cultist will sense within her a tug at the center: A physical need for wholeness. And then a juxtaposition of perception sweep up around her like a pillar. Within the pillar: The Node room. Without it: the Warehouse. A moment; a breath cycle.. and then completion resolves itself and two seeming points in space are in truth only one. Molly find herself standing beside the Well, Israel before her... Israel who reaches out with ease [this may help explain why Israel never seems to be at all surprised when Solomon touches her, let alone when he is near] and embraces the other woman.

"I'm glad you're well." Soft. Simple. Sincere. Then, "Feel alright? Consecration and Traveling can be.. unsettling..." concern touches her voice and then, as a kind of small gift: "Solomon has coffee brewing upstairs."

[Molly Quincannon] Molly looks incredibly different tonight. She's not as flamboyant as Wren, but she has a certain ... distinctive style, and today, she has left it behind entirely in what actually makes for quite a good disguise, as it makes her less noticeable as well as less recognisable as herself. The black dye is gone from her hair, leaving it a sort of off-brown colour, and it was at some point slicked back out of her face, though that's long gone by the wayside as the night wore on and product lost its hold. Glasses replaced by plain brown contact lenses, tattered jeans and geek-T replaced by smart trousers and a turtleneck that hides each and every one of her tattoos, sensible boots instead of the platform things she generally prefers... With her resonance masked, it'd be hard to tell for Solomon, when he sees her. Israel, in fact, has it easier. The scent of hair dye is gone, replaced by an astringent sort of shampoo and some kind of styling gel, and her voice comes from a few inches lower than usual; that's about it.

It does, however, take a moment to get words out of Molly at all. Few peg her as a Cultist, but it's moments like this - moments when a new sensation reaches out and grabs her, shakes her and demands her attention; when she rides it in the way of her Tradition - that she shows her true colours. Even when she manages to get her head back on some kind of even keel after the bombardment of sensations that have been hinted at by the feel of Israel's Resonance but never been internalised that strongly, there still aren't words for a moment. There's the hug, and it is giving and supportive and acknowledging of that Sorrow, wanting to share it (but without precisely easing it; let she who rends the Passion of another be torn apart as if by wild dogs, for Passion is the seat of the Soul...) and support.

There's also a tremble to that embrace that has nothing to do with Piercing or Sorrow or Hope or reactions to same. It's fury; well-bottled, well-stifled, should-probably-be-vented-but-it-has-not-yet-been-the-right-time rage. Yeah. Molly's pissed.

When she disengages from the hug, she manages a weary smile - it's been a long night and there are miles to go yet. "I'm okay," she says. "Well. Okay. No, I'm not, but I managed the Jaunt well enough, I think. Coffee sounds awesome. Ben and Ashley got most of mine. And the pizza. It's been a long night. How're you?" Yes, she asks these things, regardless of what the hell's going on with her.

[Solomon Ward] Solomon waits, upstairs. The task of moving Molly to the Chantry had been left in Israel's capable hands, though despite the distance between them, the barriers such as walls and doors and earth and foundation, he could feel her Working. It was impossible not to. The thing which Israel had decided to do in order to move Molly with her magic was a thing that the knight and the healer had done long ago. Years ago, even, and maintained with constant effort and renewal that few would know the depths of.

Solomon can feel Molly, when she arrives. Not directly.. it would be a hard description to describe in words. Just as Solomon and Israel are a long standing part of each other, with Resonances and magic intertwined and bleeding in and out of one another. There is not an action of magic the old sorcerer might take and not have her Sorrow detected in it, in traces and faint whiffs and breezes of deja vu. In turn there is not a moment that one might see the small blind girl and See her, and under the twin edges of Hope and Sorrow find the foundation of Unyielding Righteousness of the man she works with in such depth and detail.

Solomon and Israel are, in some metaphysical aspects, one and the same. Tied together. Inseparable. Now that Molly has entered into the equation, it becomes a triangle of sorts. Not direct, as with Israel, but it takes little effort to feel and know where Israel is, her mood, her pains or fears, joys or sorrows. Solomon can sense the same in Molly now, though muted... She is, in a manner of speaking, part of Israel now. Just a newer, vaguer, part.

Which means that Israel's magic worked, and the coffee would require three cups instead of simply the two.

It seems he's making a lot of hot drinks lately.... and people say he isn't a 'peoples person'. A small tray, laden with the things required, is carried towards the living room.

Timing?
Impeccable as they arrive.

[Israel Cohen] Israel cannot, of course, see the differences in Molly. Israel honestly has no idea what Molly looks like: Such details have ceased to be a part of the bouquet she gathers to make the better whole of her perceptions. She does note the other things, though, the details most others would miss: The differences in scents. The catch-and-shiver of impact that is experiencing not just a new Magic but one that ties so intimately into ones Pattern [and, yes: Because Solomon and Israel are this intertwined always [it makes you wonder: Do they feel awkward in the rare occasions where the subtle embroidery of others Resonance is suddenly missing from their own Pattern? the answer is probably affirmative] Molly also feels that touch of his Resonance, more muted than Israels but there: A metallic thread in a silk weave.]. The hum of unspent anger in the other woman's form that makes Israel press the hug just a moment longer.
...like Molly, though - if for reasons she would phrase differently - Israel doesn't attempt to rob Molly of her rage.

How're you? is asked in turn and Israel shakes her head as they move for the stairs that lead up to the house proper and the awaiting Solomon and the allure of fresh, strong coffee...
"Somewhat better, I should think. We got a visit from Elizabeth Zhao some hours ago with a CD of security footage that showed Anya's... madness. And delivered a message - an ultimatum. She threatened to take the Technocrats son: I can confirm she has, though I think you and those with you have news of the same." Her words are clear.. but there's a fine tension to her as well. The thought of anyone abducting a chil is loathsome. The thought of Anya doing it is enraging and chilling all at once.

Into the living room, then, Israel's guide-cane tap-tap-tapping ahead of them... she's eager for coffee herself: It's been a long day a longer night and she and Solomon [he more than she] are notoriously early risers. It's undoubtedly been going on 24 hours for Solomon and just slightly less for Israel. She looks rather tired... he, no doubt, looks immaculate, fastidious as he is. And probably in a better state of health than most of the 20-something Magi in the city.

[Molly Quincannon] "She has." The words are nearly spat. She'll deal with the rest when she's done proper greeting. "Hello, Solomon. Hope all's well with you - well, as well as it's going to be given this mess, anyway." Her words are, for once, carefully chosen; partly fatigue and partly because she's had a pretty extensive crash course in being extensively polite the last few hours and she's not going to let it go now.

"I'd like to see the footage, if you've still got it," she goes on. "But to tell you what I know? We found the house that Ben's son was staying in, and the woman he was staying with. I'm guessing it was his mother, but to be honest, I'm not sure. He doesn't wear a ring, neither does she ... could have been a divorce situation, but he didn't expect anyone to be able to connect him to Brandon. Anyway, point is that Anya shot the woman, took the boy, and beat up Nora. Her own cabalmate. Wrote the word 'traitor' on the kitchen floor in Nora's blood and fucked off to wherever she's hiding out while she waits for Ben to give in to her ultimatum." Okay, so some of the politeness goes a little by the wayside, but only because she is pissed off beyond all recognition.

But she takes a breath, calms down and continues. "I'll fill you in on whatever details I can, but I don't want to be away too long. I've already had to stand between Ben and Nora when Ben pulled a gun, he didn't trust Ashley even before she body-jacked him into not running off to be Anya-bait - dude, seriously, sapping his kinetic energy worked just fine; she didn't have to get that invasive! Anyway, they're working together to find Brandon and Anya for now so I've got some time and can pass back any info you think they need. Though ... Emily called, and I hear some of it's that Anya wants to kill me for feeding the guy?"

She does not sound impressed. Subtext: Let her fucking try.

[Solomon Ward] "I do" tapping his coat pocket, though Israel had already taken her lap top down. "We'll get to it in a minute", setting the tray on the table and cups and saucers in front of who they are intended for, respectively. Sugar and a small pitcher of milk for those that care. Three separate spoons for mixing it all. His own is blended with a little milk to cut the acid, a little color, but no sugar...

...good coffee is about acid content. That is where the quality comes in. You can grow it in South America or Asia or Hawaii or Africa..it's native to Africa, you know... but regardless of how its roasted, how its ground, how its seeped or cooked or brewed, good coffee is about acid content.

... I hate the shit they buy here.

"Wait... Ms. McGowen ..hijacked... you used... this man's body and will in order to use him as bait?"

[Israel Cohen] Israel deviates from her intention of taking a seat on the sofa [the nice, soft, inviting sofa] and instead goes to find her side satchel to withdraw the laptop again and begin setting it up, taking care to feel about the coffee table least she inadvertently drop it on someones coffee cup or the creamer or the like...
She takes Molly's words in stride though that tension does key up all the more taut now and again in response to, oh, situations of murdered women, words written in blood, body-jacking desperate fathers [she doesn't care at the moment that he is a Technocrat, honestly... right now he is, to her, first and foremost a father who knows his son is in the hands of a rabid murderess]...

Okay, maybe her grip on the laptop goes white knuckled briefly.
A slow, steady release of breath and then she shakes her head, "Ah, no.. I think Molly means Ashley used Possession to stop the man from running off on his own, yes?" Even there she seems, well, perplexed, "Why on earth not just knock the man out? She's as capable of it as I am: More so, really, given simple potency... it seems rather over-the-to---" waving a hand she stops herself. "Either way at least you stopped him -- you sapped away his kinetic energy?" her lips quirk at that: Tired and distant amusement; stronger approval. It's rather like something Solomon would do.
The keys of the laptop have the usual white numbers and lettering, though these are in far small print font than usual: The bulk of the key space is devoted to Braille, over which her fingers glide as she enters a password and the laptop finishes booting.

"Anya's been on the move with the boy, I tracked them for a while myself. And, well.... actually, here... just watch the security footage. I warn you it's... unsettling." That puts it lightly.
Setting it up to play is no problem...
...this time Israel is grateful not to be able to see it via, literally, Solomon's Eyes, though even just listening makes her go somewhat pale again.

No milk or the like in her coffee: Strong and black.

[Molly Quincannon] Molly's eyes widen. "Oh, hell no! Sorry; no, I should have made that clearer! No, she - it's like Israel said. We asked him to stand still for a Mind-scan. He didn't think we had the time, didn't trust Ashley and ... could have been lying and didn't want to get caught in that lie; there are too many mitigating factors to tell. He tried to bolt. We stopped him. Just to not have him run off and possibly cause another bloodbath. And yeah," she adds, her smile (and tone) a little bemused and quizzical at Israel's amusement, however distant and tired - curious, of course, as to why. "I just sapped his kinetic energy so he couldn't get farther than the front walk, and was going to try talking him back in. She ... kind of bypassed the 'talking' part and ... sorry, the term I used was probably a little weird, but hijacked works; gets the point across better ... anyway, she took control of his body and forced him back in." She sighs. "How she'll do that to the man and not just read his brain like a copy of PC Now for the info we were asking for I have no idea. I just hope she's too busy to think of that. I think if she tried to sneak it on him ... it'd be bad, even if we are helping him."

Molly, for the record, right now cares less than nothing about acid content. She likes good coffee, but right now cares less for acid content than she does for caffeine content. So after way too much sugar has been added, heedless of a possible scalded tongue, two deep swallows of the coffee go down. Between the scrying, the attempts to keep three angry, mistrustful people working together and away from each other's throats and the Paradox-backlash headache that Israel and Solomon, through the Consecration, can probably feel at least in the abstract, she desperately needs the fortification. Then she watches the video.

Molly's felt something similar to this once, and she was connected a little more strongly to Israel than a Consecration at the time. That was when she saw Lara abandon her bedmate to be shot by Hero. This is about ten times worse. This is someone (from my Tradition; this murderous psychotic bitch gives my every belief a bad name by her actions) who would do this much murder, to innocents and questionably guilty alike, to get what she wants. This is a struggle not to vomit; not because the gore grosses her out, but because the roil of anger and grief, as frantic as the rest of her, churns her gut as much as her mind and soul. The coffee's ignored for a moment, simply because she's not sure she can keep it down.

The bit about Maudlin? That gets ignored, unspoken of. She's mentioned she knows, this confirms it, that is all. There is one more piece of information, more important. "I ... can't confirm this. Not until we can get a scan on Ben. But ... her mental state seems to have something to do with Progenitor experiments. Might have been the ones that started this whole mess; I don't know. We haven't had time to confirm anything, and I'm not sure if it matters. She has to be stopped, whyever the hell she's doing this."

[Solomon Ward] "Indeed", in reference to her statement that the woman needs stopped. Solomon has killed. More than he cares to have done so, and more than he cares to admit. He's killed Nephandi and Marauders, Technocrats, and things that go bump in the night. He's done a lot of it since coming to Chicago... .And only once has he ever done some thing so extreme, so comparable to this situation, that it was more or less a life changing experience.

Never mind the man was a knowing and willing thrall to a demon. I left the Cloth, for what I did... .

"So to date, despite all the conversations and mental control sessions and every other arcane method that may be at peoples disposal, no one is one hundred percent sure how sincere this man is?"

He isn't judging. For once that some what border line tone between pedagogical and condescending isn't in his larynx scarred voice. It's a genuine question, with genuine interest, from a man that is only on the periphery of the situation at hand.

A lot of what people plan to do, at least before the child become an unwilling variable into the situation at hand, seemed to stem on whether or not the man was truly repentant and what it would mean to hand him over if this were the case... at least that what Solomon has made from it so far.

And yet, so far, no one seems to know for sure. It's a confusing situation to keep track of as reports flow in and out.

"Because Ms. McGowen is a Hermetic Order mage, Ms. Quincannon. It isn't a universal truth, but you can always rely on the Hermetics to take the path or action that is the most powerful, displays the most power, or renders the most power to them. It is simply whom and what they are."

A moment's consideration before he speaks again.
"I would say it's a safe deduction. She stated they took every thing from her. Assumption is the mother of all foul ups, but given her obsession with this Ben individual, I would say some one very close to her was affected by the situation. A child, or another close nuclear family member. Perhaps a lover. I'd be willing to wager a child or extremely close loved one, given what she is willing to do to reach this man."

[Israel Cohen] "The truth is probably somewhere in the middle -- it usually is." Is her simple response while she extracts the CD from the disc player and closes the laptop, sincerely hoping she never has need for playing the CD again. "As much as I abhor this womans actions, I am just as appalled that the whole of her cabal seemed blind to the levels of madness and obsession she'd fallen, at least until the last minute."

Taking up her coffee she moves to take a seat on the sofa finally, her free hand moving to rub at the back of her neck. She has the same questions regarding Ben's sincerity and likely the same assessment as to why Ashley took the route she did... or, at least, not enough of a different view that she says anything of it. So, instead she asks two questions, "'Maudlin' was a reference to you, yes?" There's another brief flair of tension -- she's controlled herself by now but at the time of her first viewing that footage she'd been visibly irate at the thought of anyone threatening Molly, directly or not. Then, "Given all the parties currently involved with this Solomon and I think it could make the situation worse if we became directly involved. If anyone thinks otherwise, let us know. But there are still some peripheral aids we can lend when you go after Anya and the boy... as I assume you'll be doing?"

[Molly Quincannon] Solomon's question gets a frustated sigh, though it's clearly not at him. "No. We aren't. We'd like to be, and I think that if I'd gone in with a Mind mage with the tact, diplomacy and people skills the Divine gave a concussed pit bull, we would by now. But Ashley wasn't interested in him until or unless it was to order him around or exacerbating a situation that I was handling just fine, thank you. So I don't know whether he was lying and wants to keep us from knowing for sure as long as possible, or - equally likely - he didn't want Ashley rummaging around in his head. Can't blame him on that one."

She doesn't talk about the tendencies about Hermetics towards power plays. She's not really qualified. She does, however, deal with the last. "I think it's more personal than that, actually. Nora blamed Ben for what was done to Anya in Minneapolis. Specifically. It might be a loved one or similar, but ... it's just as likely that it was her, directly, that they experimented on. I think she may be genuinely brain-damaged." But again, her tone suggests, it hardly matters. One way or another, she has to be stopped.

Israel's commentary and questions are addressed next. "Yes; Maudlin's the name I gave Ben. Familiar to me, but doesn't link to me anywhere. I'll tell you about it when we've got more time." Then she rolls her eyes and sounds exasperated. "And why does everyone think I was hiding or harbouring Ben, anyway? I gave him food and pointed him at an abandoned building I knew about, and he wasn't even there the last time I went back! It's not like I was hiding him in my non-existent basement!"

Then, quizzical look. "Yeah, we're going after him. I figure Emily will get involved, and I dunno who else, and obviously Ashley, but ... is ... there a problem with you being directly involved? Not that I'm saying it's a bad idea for you to stay peripheral; the fewer of us Ben sees, the better for us, and I think new people entering the equation would probably freak people out completely and I'm tapdancing on a minefield here as it is, but..." She chuckles a little; she does at least recognise when she's rambling. So after a swig of coffee, she takes a breath, lets it out and says, "Peripheral aids - anything that would be useful here - would be very much appreciated, thank you. Beyond anything and everything else that pisses me off about this ... I don't want that boy to die. It's not his fault."

[Solomon Ward] "If the boy dies... there will be far more violence than simply for Anya and Ben"...
..because he was left out of this. There are too many people doing too many things, now. The chaos factor, organizational problems if one will, were he to try and get involved now. Another man might have smirked or gloated at Ashley's mishandling the man... after all, wasn't that why he was in the position he was in? Not being a... people's person.

Most people might have. Solomon simply frowns. People are going to be hurt due to hypocrisy.

"I do not believe you harbored him, Molly. I understand, but because the man was or is a Technocrat, people will assume the worst of him far faster than the best of him. It's human nature and the nature of our kind. Even I'm not immune to it. It is, say for example, comparable.. to not trusting a man...because the Technocracy once took interest in him. Nothing more. No prior membership. That one factor alone shouldn't be damning, should it?"

Yeah... that's only half heartedly subtle and in no way or form hypothetical... .

"But whom ever might have discourse or succor for such a man, a man on the run and evading death and now finding his child threatened in all of this. Well, who ever helps the man in the slightest must have harbored him. If there is one thing I've learned about the mages of Chicago, Molly, it is that as soon as a story is spread amongst their numbers, it must be God's own gospel, because no one here is fond of facts."

[Israel Cohen] "T'sh..." a low sound; more tired than it is anything else. "Let's be as fair as we can. We all have moments where prejudices and emotion and tiredness or whatever the case-may-be get the better of us and we mishandle situations, haverti," the Herbrew endearment for a good friend is spoken to Molly, "Some are just more visible than others." Is all she will say in regards to Ashley and her apparent lack of 'people skills' with Ben... Sorrow did spike at the irony of it all but she wasn't a petty woman nor of the belief that any one of them had a faultless 'track record'. "And not everyone in the city ignores facts or the seeking of the truth of a situation, HaYakar." that last endearment for Solomon.

There is, of course, a flicker of curiosity regarding 'Maudlin' but Israel nods and lets it lie: Later. As for problems with Israel and Solomon being directly involved... well, Molly soon answers her own question there and Israel merely shows all the body language of accepting agreement. "The situation is volatile enough as it is. That said it's more than difficult for Solomon and I to just.. stand aside... when an innocent life hangs on the balance. Whatever the truth of Anya and Ben, the boy at least is innocent. At the very least before you go I can work a Weaving over you that will help protect you in the event things become violent. I also have in mind some Charms that could prove useful to you: If I'm successful in time I'll get them to you. And I believe Solomon has a peripheral avenue he's looking into as well. If they pan out we'll let you know."

A beat, she reaches over to find Molly's arm - done with greater ease than usual thanks to the temporary Consecration - and then hand to squeeze it gently. "I'd offer to heal the headache for you, havarti, but then any other protective Healing Weaving I attempted would be ineffective."

[Molly Quincannon] Oh, snap. Molly looks at Solomon, shock and pain in her features - not because she hadn't seen the comparison but because she has. "Actually, I didn't trust Chuck because he lied to me. Because he said he cared for me but would have rather seen me tortured and killed or worse than risk making or enacting a plan that involved any element of risk. Because he'd rather you all get arrested than see me or anyone else violate the mundane security protocols of Nephandi. Because he is a raging hypocrite. But even with all that, I speak to him regularly. I invite him into my home to this day. I may not share my beliefs or my hopes or my dreams or anything truly deep about myself with him, in the same way that I would not share my body or bed with him anymore, but my lack of trust in him is a personal thing. The fact of the Technocracy's eye being on him once was simply something that the Chantry as a whole needed to know in case their eye fell on him again, seeing the leverage they could have on him if they did and how that could end very badly for us if they found him and chose to use it. That's it, that's all. If people choose not to trust him on that basis alone, that's their damage." At least she can go through the list of Chuck Did Me Wrong without breaking down or getting too angry over it, but the truth of the emotion is there; Molly's reasons for distrusting Chuck have nothing to do with potential Technocratic involvement. In fact, her suspicions about Chuck's involvement stemmed from the distrust, not the other way around.

Then she takes a deep breath and turns to Israel, a bit of a weary smile on her face and in her voice. "I know, Israel. But if I don't vent here, it's just going to build up and kerboom at the worst possible time in there, and I can't afford that. Like you said, it's volatile in there. And I'm the sane one. Anyone scared yet?" She follows that with a tired chuckle. "Seriously, though, I can deal with the headache. I just can't take any more Excedrin for another twenty-five minutes or so. Reality loves to beat on me; you know that. But seriously, like I said, I'm not going to turn my nose up at any help you can offer." Yes, there's wry in that tone, as she who should say Not this time, anyway; I know my track record. Not this time, not ever again. "We're going to need it ... and by extension, so's Brandon."

[Solomon Ward] "I understand... and I didn't mean it to scathe as such, Ms. Quincannon. It can be agreed that the man is a pussy..." There you go... Solomon said it. Just. Like. That. "Simply the reasons I heard not to trust him where for his history. There was no other real detail stated. My apologies, for any miss communication and my language."

Only he could describe a man as not being a real man in one sentence, and then apologize for the form of language it took in the next.

"We all have our skeletons. Did you know, for example, that the head of Celestial Chorus is a prior member of the New World Order? From priest to covert agent to Reverend Singer. It's why I believe in helping Ben, should the man be sincere... ."

which we have to prove, but the Lord tests us all. Indeed He does.

[Israel Cohen] At Molly's response to Solomon's thinly veiled commentary about Chuck Israel's eyes widen. For once it seems the blind woman had actually missed some nuance of conversation and when she sorts it out - fast enough given Molly's reaction - she scowls slightly. No, she is not above the impulse of kicking Solomon's knee for bringing up such a painful subject... but, no, it isn't an impulse she follows through on. Molly has her say and Solomon apologizes and that is enough for Israel at least....
...though her supportive squeeze of Molly's hand is somewhat compromised by her surprised half-snort when Solomon turns around and proclaims Charles Carmichael a 'pussy'.

A tired chuckle from Molly - Anyone scared yet? - and though Israel's lips quirk she shakes her head, "No. I think you are and will continue to do very well. I think you are one of the few people from our side involved in this mess directly who seems to have clear and proper motives. And that at least sets my heart somewhat at ease."

Making herself sit up despite fatigue - really Israel never was much of one for staying up for ridiculous hours at a time unless there was express need - she feels for the edge of the coffee table for a clear spot to set down her coffee. "We shouldn't keep you away for too long, like you said. Is there anything else you can think of or need? It shouldn't take long for me to Weave the Shielding over you and then get you back to the warehouse..."

[Molly Quincannon] Molly blinks at Solomon for a moment ... and then she starts to laugh. It's not laughing at Solomon; quite the opposite. There's delight in that sound, and a venting far healthier than any screaming or wall-punching or tears could provide. She tries to get it under control, whatever deities one worships bless her little cotton (Keroppi-printed) socks, but it's such a cleansing, tension-breaking thing for her that it doesn't go easily. So it's between giggles that she says, "S'okay. Didn't know if you'd got the full story from Israel, s'all. I ... had that soul-search myself, anyway. Just ... providing ... context." She pulls a handkerchief (more Keroppi-print) out of her pocket and wipes her eyes, finally beating the laugh into submission. "And ... thanks. I ... seriously needed that. And I know we've all got our skeletons. I was saying to Israel the other day, look at the Vdepts - the Etherites. Didn't know that about the Chorus, but it just keeps going to illustrate the point. Also?" Her smile now contains true gratitude. "Thank you for using his name. Seriously." Ashley has repeatedly refused to do so, already more or less passed judgement (My mind is as open as it needs to be). Molly finds it dehumanising and unfair but wasn't going to have that argument in an already tense situation. Someone she trusts and respects using Ben's name is balm for her soul, and it shows. That alone helps give her some measure of strength to keep going through this mess.

Israel's own comments, of course, only adds to that, and she reaches out a hand to hover over Israel's arm for a moment before taking her wrist (letting her know, as always, that contact is about to be initiated). "Thank you," she says - honest and forthright. "That means more to me than I can say. And ... beyond maybe letting me raid the Chantry fridge before I go, at least for a sandwich or something? Because, seriously, all my pizza. I didn't pack for four. Anyway, besides that, I can't think of anything else, thanks. You've done - are doing - so much already. You're a blessing." She tilts her head Solomon's way. "Both of you. This isn't an 'I expect to die' speech or anything, so don't panic. I just ... want you to know." She doesn't hide her emotions much, does Molly, and sometimes it feels right. They're tired too, Sol and Israel. Sometimes a warmth in the soul helps.

[Solomon Ward] He snorted, though there was a mild edge of humor to it as he did so. "I'd prefer he had a last name, but such is life..." he was well known for his dislike of first names. It simply didn't feel...right... . He doesn't know the man. As it is he has only refereed to Molly as 'Molly' in tense moments, moments where a more personal touch is more meaningful. More human.

"Indeed, you may. I'll make it for you. Also, Ms. Quincannon, about the raid on the Node... . I want you to understand some thing. About me, that is. I don't explain myself to a lot of people. Frankly, I've never seen or felt the need to, but I also understand people interrupt that in ways I don't intend... ."

"I've been doing ..well, this, for a long time. Once upon a time, I was a lot less martially inclined. Not that I didn't believe in it, but I was far less capable. More scholar than anything else; I still think of myself as a glorified librarian, to be honest... what I'm trying to get at is, I didn't monitor you that night because I doubt your capabilities. Or the fact your so very headstrong. While it occasionally pains my ass from time to time, it is a quality I admire in people, even if it does not show in times of disagreement."

A moments pause, standing and smoothing out his suit jacket as he did so. Israel's perception of him was correct...where she was tired and worn, the man had been up for about twenty four hours now.. and was still clean shaved and crisp starched.

"I did it because I knew you might 'hang around', magically speaking. That it was your nature to do so... and that being said, I know how the Conventions work. At least as much as any of us do. It would have been poor leadership on my part to not being paying attention for a threat they might have caused. It's the same reason I had Dr. Atlas" ..what the hell is that man a Doctor of again anyway? Tangents, Solomon, tangents..." unburdened by leadership so that he could do what was required on his end of the team. I watched you because it was the right thing for me to do. It was not meant as a judgment on your capabilities. You are handling this whole situation very well. Better than I may perhaps credited you with. You're doing fine, Molly... so don't get yourself killed, ok?"

Which is more explaining the the man does for just about any one... so he doesn't wait on a response from her. He doesn't need one, whether it be rebuttal or thanks. She on the other hand requires nourishment, and its simply logical he fix her a meal while Israel does her magic. It's time friendly.

[Israel Cohen] Molly's outburst of laughter makes Israel tense slightly just at the very first because it was unexpected: She immediately relaxes though and while she doesn't join in the laughter her lips do curve warmly: Laughter is, indeed, a far better form of 'venting' than most any other. Cliche as it is, humour very often is the best medicine and the blind woman is pleased to hear the other woman taken up with it; releasing with it; soothed by it.

Her words of sincerity and gratitude leave the small woman clearly touched. But Solomon is soon speaking.. explaining himself, which is not - as he himself says - something he is used to doing. A shame sometimes as he does so very clearly. Israel nods her agreement with his expression of how well Molly is doing. Beyond that she leaves a physical action to cover her side of things: She finds Molly's place again and leans down and in to hug her once more with a warmth both emotionally present and also quite literal: Anyone physically touched by Israel since the Summer has noticed how literally warm her hands are. She could shove them in snow and they would still feel as if she'd just been sunbathing on a tropical beach immediately after she withdrew them.

After Molly says anything else and Solomon goes off to start prepping food, Israel goes about Enchanting Molly's Pattern. With touch and song whose lyrics are of ancient Hebrew and Aramaic origin though she'll explain - briefly - afterward that it was a series of Blessings not just of protection, but of empowerment through the divine spark of strength in each and every soul. In essence this Rote takes what is already within Molly - Life - and fortifies it against harm. Healing any damage as it comes instead of after the fact.

----------------
[[Breath of Chai. Prime 3, Life 3. Diff: 6. -1 Practiced, -2 Healing Merit. 1 to cast, 1 to target, 1 for duration, rest for potency. Going for at least 4 additional suxx. So 7 total. WP!!]]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 1, 2, 9 (Success x 1 at target 3) [WP]

[Israel Cohen] [[...don't start, Kahseeno! +1 Diff, -1 taking time.]] WP
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 3, 8, 10 (Success x 4 at target 3) [WP]

[Israel Cohen] [[Again]]
Dice Rolled:[ 3 d10 ] 2, 5, 8 (Success x 3 at target 3) [WP]

[Israel Cohen] [[Okay, that's 8 total suxx. 5 applied to actual Healing. So the Rote will heal 10 Bashing and/or Lethal Damage and 5 Agg damage. Oh and Quint spent, duh.]]

[Molly Quincannon] Molly stares at the spot Solomon vacated for a long moment before turning her head to the doorway through which he left. There's simply nothing she can say to that. There's no room for words past the combination of touched gratitude, somehow humble pride and sheer shock of it. (You never know how much you want something until it comes to you, and then you don't know how to react...) So it takes a moment, but eventually she manages to raise her voice enough to carry into the kitchen, at least long enough to say, "Roberts. Ben Roberts." He wasn't waiting for rebuttals or thanks, so she doesn't give any of those - she wasn't sure she could adequately voice them anyway - but at least she could give him a name for Ben that he was comfortable using. (For her part, 'Ben' works just fine; the man hugged her, cried in front of her twice; that's a kind of intimacy in and of itself.)

Then the Enchantment of her Pattern, which is a new thing to experience, and she does so, then listens curiously to the explanations and promises, with the sort of wry that speaks of self-awareness, "I won't tempt fate, I promise." And she means it, it's clear. When that's done, and she's munched her sandwich (and at least that, she can thank Solomon for, and if it's a little weightier than one might generally expect? Well, they'll all just have to live with it, won't they?), she prepares for the trip back - to help with the scrying, to keep the trio of mis-matched individuals sane and working together, to do what she can. Before she goes, she makes another promise: "I'll keep in touch; keep you apprised of what's going on, okay?" She means that too, clearly. She's been shown trust. She will give it back in kind.

There's a hug for Israel and a hand offered to Solomon to shake before she goes, and then it's back to the motley crew, rather better off in body, mind and soul than she was when she left.