Evil Game Master Society

GM: This takes place shortly after the Sentinels first became a team. Unfortunately, it is incomplete - the player of Nathan disappeared before it was finished.

Melissa stood at the foot of the stone path leading up to the door of The Sacred Circle. Two giggling teenagers walked past her carrying a book they took pains to hide the cover of. It was about ten to six, and the store would be closing shortly, giving Mel a chance to talk to Nathan uninterrupted - providing he didn’t have any plans.

She took a deep breath and walked up the path, climbed the stairs and went through the door. The scent of incense filled her nose. It was surprisingly pleasant considering some of the stuff she’d smelled people using. As the door closed with a soft jingle of bells, she looked around as Nathan stepped out from behind a set of shelves.

Nathan had just finished putting a book back on the shelf when he heard the bells on the door tinkle. Hoping it wasn’t those silly girls again, he stepped out from behind the bookcase. He saw a young woman just inside the door, looking around the shop.

“Yes, can I help you??”

Waving Nathan off, Melissa looked around the shop to see if they were alone. Satisfied that they were the only one’s present she walked over to the counter and flipped through one of the books. She wasn’t entirely sure if Aidan was monitoring the shop or not. Gathering her resolve, she turned towards Nathan and with a serious expression proclaimed, “We need to talk.” The shop was too risky so she quickly followed up in a more casual tone with, “I noticed that you are closing up, would you mind stepping out for a drink?”

Nathan raises an eyebrow, and is quiet for a moment. Thank your lucky stars that I am bonded, for the temptation to scan your thoughts is tempting.

Nathan sighs, looks at his watch, then back to the lady. “Give me five minutes to lock up. What was your name again?”

“M…Me…Me…lanie.” Melissa choked out looking totally embarrassed for her obvious attempt at deceit. Hopefully Nathan will get a clue and not ask too many more questions. This was looking fishy enough as it was.

Nathan just nods politely

“Look…I’ll let ya lock up then and meet you out in front.” Melissa managed to say in a more calm and collected voice. She checked around the store once more for any sign of Aidan’s little helpers before heading for the door.

As she leaves his store, Nathan sighs and rubs his temples. Whatever it is, something has her spooked.. if I didn’t know better I would say she was almost paranoid about being followed…

Doing a quick scan about the store, Nathan goes thru his routine, and finds himself rushing. What has this girl done to get my curiousity so piqued?? Besides seeming to know me, and I can’t even recall meeting her… and the only time I wouldn’t, I don’t even think she was out of diapers yet…

Despite himself, Nathan forces himself to stick to his routine, and almost precisely 5 minutes later, he exits his shop, and locks the door.

“If you don’t mind, I know a place where we can talk without being disturbed… unfortunately they aren’t licensed, however I’m told they have one of the best selections of coffee in the city.”

Melissa looked suspiciously over Nathan’s shoulder at his shop scanning the windows for any signs of movement. “Coffee? Oh sh…sh…sure.”

She flung her coat over her shoulder, seemingly oblivious to the noticeable chill in the night air. “Lead the way Nate.” She smiled at him. Now that they were out of the shop she appeared to be more at ease, almost cheerful.

“It’s a few blocks away, and I prefer to walk there… I hope you don’t mind.” Nathan indicates the direction with a sweeping arm motion, and proceeds to walk away from his shop.

“Melanie, you will have to excuse me, however you have my interest piqued, and I’m quite curious about what you have to talk about. Can you give me an idea of what you’re afraid of, or even whom it is we know in common? If you do wish to wait until we’ve arrived, I’ll understand, however, I do find walking in silence with someone, somewhat … discomforting.”

Melissa looked a bit sheepish, a slight blush coming to her cheeks despite the cold.

“I figured since I know who you are, well you have a right to know who I am.” As she continued speaking Melissa stretched forth her arms and pirouetted. As she did so the moisture in the air around her crystallized into small flakes which sparkled brilliantly in the moonlight. “I apologize for the childish deception, but my name really isn’t Melanie, it’s Melissa, but you know me as Boreas. As for why I have come to speak to you…well it’s about Aidan and Guardian.”

Nathan pauses for a moment, as he digests this latest bit of information. “Oh.” He resumes walking at a slightly slower pace, as things come together. “Well that explains a few things, like why you were so familiar with me.” Nathan smiles at Melissa. “Thank you for your trust. But why have you come to me about Guardian and Aidan?”

“Well it’s just that I have a feeling that Aidan is hiding something from us. We were brought together under the pretenses of forming a group to fight against evil and all, but I having a feeling that Aidan wants us for other reasons as well.” Melissa’s voice grows quiet, her breath visible in the night air. “Perhaps he needs us to protect him in some way?”

Nathan thinks about this for a moment “Hmm… I think he has as much admitted that though, but I think that you are closer to the mark about Guardian and Aidan…. There is just something there that doesn’t add up… specifically Guardian’s past… but that is just a feeling that I’ve got.”

To be continued, some day, maybe…

(C) Lisa Hartjes, 2001.