Geminid Donna sits down and gestures for you to do so as well.

• Alice sits.

Geminid "Delay filming again, and I'll have you knocked out, dressed in Miiji's costumes, and photographed that way. Then I'll leave the pictures all over the streets."

Alice "Least you won't have to look far for someone who'll hit a kid."

Geminid She shrugs, "You're already healing, even from Dr. Earl's 'medicine.' I can't find much sympathy for you."

Geminid "But our budget isn't so lucky, so don't fuck with it."

Alice "I was doin my job till the knuckledragger bitch sucker punched me."

Geminid Donna gives you a long look, then says, "Do you know what she is?"

Alice "Uglier'n a piggart's afterbirth?"

Geminid Donna arches her brows, then shakes her head, "She's a union representative. That means that if she says jump, unless we want a war, we say how high. And right now, we've already got one war on our hands. Let's not end up with three more. She's a necessary evil, emphasis on 'evil.'"

Alice "So I'm supposed to just let her knock me around?"

Geminid "Tell me, what prompted her to punch you?"

Alice "Cameras were on, the cunt took a swing at me, I swung back. Made sense the captain'd get angry, but next thing I know I got blood on my face and gunk getting shot in my arm."

Geminid "So it was in the course of a shot?"

Alice "Yeah."

Geminid She smirks, "Then yes, you are to allow her to just knock you around. Did she have silver knuckles on?"

Alice "Don't matter. It still fucking hurts. 'nless that means I can do whatever I want to the cunt s'long as /she'll/ heal."

Geminid "No, but it does mean you get hazard pay."

• Alice pauses. "How much?"

Geminid She says, "Fifty extra dollars a week. Tell me, Alice, have you ever been to a party?"

Alice "S'all I can do to keep my sparkly dress clean I'm at so many."

Geminid Donna almost smiles, "Some associates of mine are hosting a small soiree in an Uptown hotel. If you can manage to bathe and bring yourself to borrow a dress from costuming, I would like to bring you along and introduce you to some... interesting people."

• Alice frowns suspiciously. "Why?"

Geminid "Because I want to offend them."

Alice "What's in it for me?"

Geminid "The opportunity to eat food the likes of which you can't imagine, drink wines from Galdun and Talune, meet people who understand your art, do a favor for your boss, and see how the other half lives. If that's not enough, you might also make some interesting enemies, if you're lucky."

Alice "Ok."

Geminid "Tonight at 11 p.m. Meet me at my place."

Alice "Where's that?"

Geminid "It's in Suncoast. The one with the spires."

Geminid In other words, one huge, impressive mansion.

Alice "I'll be there. Wanna see yesterday's special pictures while I'm here?"

Geminid She nods.

• Alice brings them out and lays the snuff shot on the desk first.

Alice "S'like the first, but weren't the Scissor Man."

Geminid She shakes her head, staring at it a moment.

Geminid She takes it and pockets it.

• Alice puts down the darkroom's ravaged entryway.

Alice "Recognize it?"

Geminid She peers at it.

Geminid She looks openly baffled.

Geminid "What in the world?"

Alice "Door to the studio darkroom, 'round midnight."

Geminid She frowns, "No one mentioned this to me."

Alice "Giant red dog-demon did it. Tried to fucking eat me. Wanna know where it went?"

Geminid "Yes."

• Alice lays out the next six pictures in a line, following the trail across the lot, then finally the last two of the shack and its interior.

Geminid She frowns, "And where did it go from there?"

Alice "Nowhere. Just stopped there."

Alice "Know where /that/ is?"

Geminid She frowns, "That's Glenda's shed. Seamon...? Or...?"

Alice "Seamon?"

Geminid "She works for Seamon. Could he have put her up to sending it after you? Or is one of her creations just getting away from her again? If the former, you're an odd choice of target. Mr. Ipanym is an easy enough target."

Alice "Her creepy freak said it 'got away'."

Geminid "So maybe she's just being sloppy again. I'll speak to Arman--her what?"

• Alice puts down the next picture, the aberration fixing the door.

Alice "S'what was there when I came back."

Geminid Everything the same, but the words ghost and albino, then.

Geminid Donna says, "Oh, one of her crew."

Geminid She shakes her head, "I will speak to Mr. Green. Are there any other photos I need to see?"

Alice "Got a funny one of some silverbugs."

Geminid "Silverbugs?"

• Alice shows a copy of the Torches pointing their crossbows.

Geminid Donna looks at it, then to Alice, "Don't waste my time."

• Alice grins and puts it away.

Geminid "Is that all, then?"

Alice "'Cept for the pay."

Geminid She writes a check and hands it over. "One for the incident on set, one for the beast at the darkroom, and one for the shot of the trail at the shack."

• Alice pockets the check. "Anything else?"

Geminid "Just don't be late."

• Alice gets up and leaves.

---

Geminid The trip over the city is unpleasant--the smog is thick today, the wind carrying it up from Winchester.

Geminid You reach the lavish bank-like temple of wealth in Gravitas.

Alice Blech. Makes what bugs there are downright nasty I imagine.

Geminid The Diamond Temple and Bank is busy, as ever

• Alice changes out of sight and walks in.

Geminid A security guard stops you as you enter, "Excuse me."

• Alice scowls at him. "What?"

Geminid "No pandering."

Alice "I got business here."

Geminid "Prove it."

• Alice waves a check and puts it back away before he can try to touch it.

Geminid He stares, then shrugs, "I got my eye on you."

Alice "Real fucking scary."

• Alice slips past him.

Geminid There's a bit of a line, even with twelve tellers working

• Alice scowls and stands in it.

Geminid After twenty minutes, you get to a teller.

• Alice squints at him through her glasses, then reluctantly puts the three cheques on the table. "I want cash for these."

Geminid He looks them over, "Do you have an account here?"

Alice "No."

Geminid "Do you have proof of identity?"

Alice "What?"

Geminid "Something that vouches that you are, indeed, Alice Higgins?"

Alice "Who the hells else would I be?"

Geminid He blinks at you, "I really couldn't say. Do you know anyone who can vouch for you?"

• Alice scowls. "Father Manvi."

Geminid "Well, you can either go get him and bring him here, or you can leave these here and we'll send word to him.:"

• Alice 's scowl deepens. "Fine." She snatches her checks back and turns to leave for the Vision Church.

Geminid The church is not busy at this hour, except for the tourists outside

• Alice goes in and goes looking for Manvi.

Geminid HHe's in his office.

• Alice walks in without knocking.

Geminid He doesn't look up, "Hello, Alice."

Alice "I need some favors."

Geminid He looks up, "What can we do for you and your talented eye, Alice?"

• Alice puts her moonlit war photo on the table. "I want to know about special photos."

Geminid Moonlit war photo?

Alice Wealthy neighbourhood, tree lined street, clear winter night. Two full moons on opposite sides of the street, throwing the skeletal shadows of the trees toward each other in the middle of the street.

Alice One of Alice's best photos.

Geminid He looks at it a moment, then says, "This would qualify as one, I dare say."

Alice "I want to know 'bout taking pictures of stuff you can't see. Sound, magic, souls."

Geminid He frowns, "You need special film, camera, lenses... and you need to know where to find your subjects, of course. If it's magic you want, I mean."

Alice "Where can I get 'em?"

Geminid He shakes his head, "What precisely do you need shots of? Everything has specific requirements."

Alice "Souls, then."

Geminid "There are several ways. The best way is to get vision blessed lenses, a powerful camera capable of handling magical or blessed shots, and film enchanted with death magic."

Alice "Can I get the lenses here? What about the camera and film?"

Geminid "Your camera..." he pauses. "You camera should work fine. I wish you'd say where you got it. I mean, the truth. But no matter, right now. The lenses will cost you more than this fine shot, Alice."

• Alice scowls, then puts her cheques on his desk.

Alice Actually, scratch that.

Alice "How many more?"

Geminid He shakes his head, "That would depend on the photos, I suppose, but there are other prices we'd accept."

Alice "What prices?"

Geminid "You would be of value to the faith, Alice. If you could find it in you to convert...?"

Alice "Hells no."

Geminid He shrugs, "In that case..." He pauses. "When was the last time you bathed?"

Alice "When's last time it rained?"

Geminid He nods, "No, I don't suppose that idea would work out then. I can offer you a series of comission jobs that will add up to the lenses, or you can keep bringing me photos until we judge your price paid."

• Alice scowls. "How much cash?"

Geminid "Cash? For blessed lenses? Perhaps a thousand or so dollars."

Alice "I can bring you what photos I got and pay the difference cash."

• Alice puts her checks on the table.

Geminid He looks at them and frowns, "Aurdog Studios? You're working for them?"

Alice "Yeah?"

Geminid He pauses, pushes the checks back, "I have to ask you to l--" he stops. "No."

Geminid "Wait."

Geminid "Do you have pictures of the studio grounds?"

Alice "Lots."

Geminid He sits back, then says, "Do you have any of the President of the company, his albino companion, or the horror-maker Glenda?"

Alice Just to finalize, the albino is not the freak, right?

Geminid Right

Alice That's what had me confused before I think.

Geminid Possibly. There is an albino abouts, but he was not the handy man, most definitely

Alice "No."

Geminid "Get me some of each, and you can have the lenses. But I won't take money from that studio."

Alice "This ain't the studio's money."

Geminid "If Donna Mverik has it, it came from there."

• Alice scowls. "Fine. Will you help /me/ get the studio's money?"

Geminid He frowns, "What do you mean?"

• Alice looks away, sullen expression suited to her age for once. "Bank won't give me cash without someone to vouch me."

Geminid He nods, torn between helping and not being involved with Aurdog. Finally, he says, "Let me write an official writ of identification."

Geminid He scrawls something. "They'll cash your checks, Alice."

• Alice squints at it, then nods. "Got anything might help me find them you want shots of?"

Geminid "Armande Green isn't exactly a private figure. He lives in Suncoast, and his friend is often with him. He's running for mayor, and he has huge offices on the studio grounds. I can't fathom you won't be able to find him."

Geminid "Glenda the Horror Maker is a complete mystery, and so is the albino."

Alice "I'll get them Riaxhium if I can't sooner."

Geminid He nods, "As for the film, the death church doesn't do blessings like that, so you have to find a powerful magic user of some sort. They will name their price, I'm sure. The best I can do is tell you to try the university."

Alice "They'll know what spells if I tell them what's for?"

Geminid "Just tell them what you want, and if they don't know how to do it, they're not the mage for you."

• Alice nods and stands to go.

Geminid He walks you out.

• Alice heads back to the wealth church.

Geminid The security guard just watches you as you enter. The lines are dying down slightly

• Alice gets in line.

Geminid Ten minutes later, you have a teller. Different one this time

• Alice puts her checks and her writ on the counter.

Alice "I want cash for these."

Geminid The woman looks it over. "Do you have an account here?"

Alice "No."

Geminid "Do you want this in small denominations or large?"

Alice "Small."

Geminid You hear her sigh as she opens the drawer to get all this in tens and twenties. She counts it out to you. "Thank you, Miss Higgins."

• Alice squints at the money, then shoves it in her bag and leaves.

Alice She heads back to the studio, stopping to stash half the money in each of two secure spots.

Geminid So... skip ahead to your being dead?

Alice Unless there's still enough time for a substantial detour to the uni.

Geminid Not really.

Alice Then yeah.

Geminid The air is dry.

Geminid You see sand swirling all around you.

Geminid You're alone on a vast desert plain.

• Alice looks around, scowling. What does she remember?

Geminid Being punched in the headf.

• Alice pinches her arm.

Geminid It hurts.

• Alice rubs her head.

Geminid It doesn't hurt

• Alice checks her inventory.

Geminid Let me clarify: pinching your arm hurt. Your head is fine, though you recall it was smashed. Your inventory is... a shining white camera and nothing else.

• Alice scowls at the camera, then curiously raises it to look through the eyepiece.

Geminid Is there any particular person she's thinking of at the moment?

Alice Angela's likely on her mind more than anyone else, simmering in spiteful resentment in the back.

Geminid Hmm

Geminid You see her as a child, sparring with her dad at the war temple.

Geminid There's a strange blade in her father's hands.

• Alice takes the shot reflexively.

Geminid It shimmers red like blood, black like evil, and white like virtue. It looks like a huge bear's claw as well as a sword.

Alice Oooh.

• Alice takes a couple more, then lowers the camera, still looking at where they were.

Geminid Her father has a black mark on him, and it says, in ugly scarred lettering, MURDERER.

Geminid Angela has a halo of innocence about her, as all children do nearby.

Geminid War faith shimmers about all present

Alice Intriguing.

Geminid Does your focus shift any?

Alice While the camera's still up and she's snapping? The father catches her interest for standing out so darkly.

Geminid You see him in the last war, a grizzled soldier, and they're fighting like hell. They chase the enemy into a village, where the enemy hides amongst the locals, blending in. Her father, swordless, looks about at these people--Agikaanis--and growls to his fellow soldiers, "Fuck it. They're all scum. Kill them all."

Geminid He and his men butcher the village, and the soldiers amongst them come out to defend them.

Alice Snap snap snap.

Geminid He personally butchers the leader of the soldiers, who is wielding the sword, and the sword is red and white, but not black.

• Alice shifts her focus to the leader.

Geminid He kills the solider, takes the sword, and it stains black as he uses it to kill women, children, and the elderly.

Alice Snap.

Geminid If you follow the leader back, you find him a freedom fighter, fighting in the war as a mercenary, one of the many Agikaanis seeking virtue from their dark pasts, building a life out of their inner turmoil and strength.

• Alice takes a picture, and shifts her focus to Donna.

Geminid You see her childhood, where she was in love with movies.

Geminid You see her go every day to the movies, you see her fall in love with the silent stars.

Geminid You see her get her first job as a PA.

Geminid You see her meet David Cantor, fall in love, and the two work their way up the ladder together.

• Alice takes a couple of pictures.

Geminid You see him stab her in the back and nearly get her fired, while he got a better job with Seamon. He left her for power, and her heart froze.

Alice Snap.

Geminid She became a power hungry, ruthless bitch on that day.

Alice Snap.

• Alice shifts her focus to Glenda.

Geminid Darkness.

Geminid And then, a ghostly face.

Alice Snap.

Geminid A man, in grey robes, being killed by a man in black and silver, in a long distant place.

Geminid Then nothing.

Alice Snap, then Armande.

Geminid You see a fat, pampered young man out in a forest, nowhere near here, with a troll. The troll and the boy are hunting.

Alice Snap.

Geminid What they are hunting turns out not to be wolves, though, but werewolves.

Alice Frown, snap.

Geminid And the werewolves turn on them. The werewolves pounce and savage the troll, until another troll appears and fights them off. The second troll is nearly killed in the attempt, until the fat, pampered boy finally pulls his gun and shoots. A silver bullet kills the last werewolf instantly. The look of excitement on the boy's face is disgusting.

Alice Snap.

Geminid The vision ends.

Geminid Err, of Armande, anyway.

Alice The albino

Geminid You see a gypsy caravan in some distant wood.

Alice Snap.

Geminid And a boy with dark brown hair and ruddy skin playing with other gypsy children.

Alice Snap.

Geminid Nothing more seems to happen.

Alice Hmm.

Alice David.

Geminid Same as Donna's, pretty much, except he sees her flirting with more powerful men and gets jealous, and uses that to justify betraying her and joining Seamon's crew.

• Alice snaps his jealousy and justification.

Geminid Any others?

Alice Miiji.

Geminid You see 'Rys full, and that's it.

Alice Huh. Weird. Snap, though.

Alice Noble.

Geminid A woman of horrific, exquisite beauty sits in a mansion, surrounded by luxury, weeping her eyes out.

Alice Snap.

Alice If nothing follows, Alsa.

Geminid Shining, brilliant light.

Alice Snap, just in case.

Alice If it doesn't resolve further, Tilluel.

Geminid A shimmering blue veins through the air as she casts a spell, and when she does, it convulses. Something snaps, and she's left alone.

Alice Snap.

Alice I don't think there's anyone else of consequence Alice will investigate, but she'll look into that security guard, street rivals, anyone it might be interesting to have something on, until the camera seems to run out of film, something happens, or her ideas run out.

Alice Actually,

Geminid Yes?

Alice She'll try a very nonspecific one: the local mage best able to help her with deathfilm.

Geminid Nothing happens

Alice Then she does the above.

Geminid The security guard is no one, just a retired old cop. The street rivals get you very little you didn't know.

Geminid You are suddenly wrenched to consciousness on the beach you usually wake up on.

Alice Ah, after a few nothings on them, the lowers the camera and walks a bit to see if she can find-

• Alice lies still for a moment, taking in her surroundings, before sitting up.

Alice Does she remember all of that?

Geminid Yes.

Geminid A murder of crows coalesces into the Gentleman.

Geminid "Where did you go?"

Geminid He drops your camera at your feet.

Alice "You didn't do that?"

• Alice picks it up and brushes the sand off.

Alice "Some desert. I was dead, right? That crack felt bad."

Geminid He nods, "And then the doctor dissolved your body in void acid. A desert? What happened there?"

• Alice blinks. Then,

Alice "Couldn't see nothin' but sand, goin on forever near's I could tell. I was nekkid 'cept for the camera."

Geminid "Camera?"

• Alice pauses, brief awe when she mentioned the camera now disappearing behind caution. "This goin' on my tally for the new deal?"

Geminid He shrugs, "I can't say. It might be irrelevent. It might not. Damned well tell me and I'll let you know." He grins pure evil, "Trust me."

Alice "Fuck you. I ain't that dumb. This is important so damn well assure me I'm gettin somethin good in return one way or another, or I'll go home."

Geminid He shrugs, "Yes, it's part of the deal."

Alice "Fine." A bit of the awe returns. "Wasn't this camera. 'Nother one. White, shinin' like a little moon. 'F I looked through it, I could see anyone I was thinkin' bout. True stuff, I think."

Geminid He frowns, "And you stood in a desert? Were any others there?"

Alice "Only them I saw with the camera."

Geminid "But you did not see them in the desert itself?"

• Alice shakes her head. "It was just me."

Geminid He shakes his head, "You should not have been there. Perhaps the void weakened the bonds of our agreement."

Alice "That mean I was dead dead? I'm gonna kill the ratbastard!" A pause. "They fixed now?"

Geminid He waves his hand dismissively, "Everything's fine. You just caught a glimpse of what my soul jar is like."

Alice "That where I'm gonna go in the end, then?"

Geminid "Or somewhere like it, though your voyeurism will likely not be so indulged, and you certainly won't be so aware."

Alice "So what was the camera?"

Geminid "An extension of yourself."

Geminid "Part of your metaphysical existence."

• Alice looks blank.

Alice "Oh."

Geminid He laughs, "Your soul, streetbat. Your soul."

Alice "'F I got a camera like that in it, I shoulda asked more for it."

Alice That said less than seriously.

Geminid He snorts unattractively. "Tell me about the lot."

Alice "You know I had the scissorman dream last night, yeah?"

Geminid He nods

Alice "The faggot director got cut in half, only he was walkin' round today like his ass was stuck on just fine."

Geminid Sam nods. "Thirteen pieces. Thirteen cuts."

Alice "What?"

Geminid "He has twelve more chances before it completely kills him."

Alice "Do I have extra chances?"

Geminid "No."

Alice "How do I not get sucked in again? I wasn't nowhere near the shrub."

Geminid "There is a nexus somewhere in the city. Find it and destroy it."

Alice "What's that mean? And how do I find it?"

Geminid "A nexus is... like the center of a web. And your quest for a better camera is a good start to finding it."

Alice "You know 'bout that already? Got any advice?"

Geminid "Death magic is but one method. Undeath and darkness work just as well."

Alice "Anything make them better choices?"

Alice Better to persue, she means, not effectively better since he answered that.

Geminid He shrugs, "Don't expect anyone powerful in the arts of death to take kindly to you."

• Alice grins. "Don't like what they can't touch."

Geminid He says nothing. "Undeath might find itself in a similar situation."

Alice Is it common knowledge whose son he is?

Geminid You've probably picked that up from his talk, at the very least

Alice "So spidermagic. Funny coincidence, huh? Ok. They got that at the uni too?"

Geminid He smirks, "Not in any significant degree."

Alice "So where do I find someone to trade for my spell?"

Geminid He considers, then smiles, "My son would have a lead there. Try to contact the Crow family." He means the mafia.

Alice Do I know where to start?

Geminid You know the gangs contracted to that family.

Alice "I'll try it."

Geminid He nods, "Is there more to report?"

Alice She continues through her day till she gets to the meeting with donna. "Shit." What time is it?

Geminid 4 a.m.

Alice She'll live. She knows Alice didn't, har har.

Geminid Yeah, but when Roman tells her he melted you, she's gonna shit a brick when Alice shows back up.

Alice "Fuck her anyway. So then..." Whatever might be vaguely relevant, including what she agreed to pay for the lenses, which she also asks if he's got better ideas for.

Geminid "No, unfortunately, vision blessed lenses will probably be best there."

Alice "I'll get the pics, then."

Alice She also brings up what she did in the lodge, to laugh at it. I think that's it.

Geminid He chuckles, then crows away.

• Alice is more pleased than she ought to be by that.

Geminid Her relationship with him is kinda strangely father/daughter

• Alice wings back to the temples one last time.

Alice It is.

Alice I think wishing for a father is another thing she'd never in a million years admit even to herself.

Geminid What temple?

Alice Does pestilence do the loony-control amulets, or does healing?

Geminid Or moon, or sun.

Alice Well... moon's probably pretty open.

Alice Active this time of night, I mean.

Alice She'll go there.

Geminid A fairly excessive dance ritual is going on inside.

• Alice looks for a priest who's not busy with it.

Geminid There's a priestess with a broken leg watching

• Alice walks up to her.

Geminid She glances at Alice, then says, "You're unregistered."

Alice "So?"

Geminid She shrugs, "Not every day one of you has the nerve to walk in here. If there weren't a new moon tonight, you'd be freaking out."

Alice "I need somethin to keep me from losing it when 'Sana's high."

Geminid "So go get registered. We don't do that for anyone not on the list."

Alice "You rather have me out there 'freaking out' all over anyone I find?"

Geminid "You're a baby werebat. What's the worst you can do?"

• Alice scowls. "I still got teeth."

Geminid She smirks, "All right, all right. I don't suppose you have any money?"

Alice "How much?"

Geminid "One to last all three days? We'll call it 25 a night?"

Alice That's robbery innit?

Geminid It's not cheap

Alice More than it should be tho'? You gave me a ballpark of something like $10 for a one night charm.

Geminid For a lunar church charm that works, 25/night is reasonable

• Alice scowls that much more darkly and hunches over her bag to hide its contents, taking a few minutes to work out the numbers before slapping two twenties and a ten on the arm of the pew.

Geminid She looks at it, "That's just two nights."

Alice "That's what I got right now. 'F I need one Tagium, I'll work something out then."

Geminid She sighs, "I'll give you all three this time. It'll hurt. It's a silver charm. But you'll get used to it."

Geminid She reaches into a pocket and pulls out a small silver crescent charm, whispers onto it, and hands it over. "Wear this just on the three days in question."

• Alice takes it, scowling. She refuses to flinch and takes her time dropping it into her bag before walking out.

Geminid You feel such a relief as you leave, that you didn't notice as you entered. Everything there was unpleasant.

• Alice refuses to show it. She strides away before taking wing and changing direction again for a Crow part of town.

Geminid La Bella's streets it is. The Rocky Road Tumblers are currently with the Crows.

• Alice goes looking for a tumbler.

Alice No,

• Alice stashes her stuff and goes looking for a Tumbler, just in case.