Episode 1: New Beginnings

[brainstem]

It's a humid, September afternoon at Greenwood Cemetery. Gathered around a freshly opened plot, a family looks on as the coffin of a lost loved one is lowered into the earth. Juan Pardo, an eighteen year old senior at a local high school was killed a few days before. While the authorities are not certain of the cause, the death is presumed to have been a result of gang violence, evidenced by the blunt trauma to his skull. His body was found abandoned a few mornings before at the dumpster of a local middle school, much to the horror of the students. Indeed, these children have, at the very least, been scared out of the desire to cut class.

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OOC: Just some background; describe yourselves, explain what you're doing at Greenwood, etc.

[wildknight]

To anyone that didn't recognize him as a famous author, Tristan Priest probably didn't stand out much. A Caucasian man in his early 30's, dressed well but not ostentatiously, of average height and build, with brown hair.

To the discerning eye, his clothes were expensive, made of light material to avoid discomfort in the humidity of the Florida day. He was here for research purposes, but he had neither a notepad nor a recorder; he was here to observe the raw emotion.

[sonoflaufey]

Ron remembered Juan when he had attended Carver Middle. He had taken a liking to the boy, as he reminded Ron of himself at that age, rambunctious and full of energy. It pained him to see that the time he had spent with him didn't seem to steer him away from a life of violence. This was exactly the kind of thing Ron meant to keep from happening when he chose to serve in this unit, it certainly wasn't to pal around with Macgruder the crime dog in an auditorium full of kids who would almost rather be in class.

Ron is a big man, and a little difficult not to notice, especially to any of the students who had attended Carver with Juan. To them, Ron was a man to be respected, and that was a respect that was earned, from acts just like this one. Most resource officers wouldn't show up at the funeral for a student from some four odd years ago, but that's what sets Ron apart from the others, he actually cares.

[dorkknight23]

Father Carpenter crosses himself. The Pardo's were in a lot of pain, and he did what he could and hoped the Lord would abide the rest. Juan seemed like a good boy, he didn't know if he could really be involved with those gangs. Then again, he was always surprised by people's capacity for cruelty. And then those poor kids...

He was dressed simply in a flannel blue t-shirt and faded jeans, his collar tucked into his shirt pocket. He otherwise looked like a somewhat lean, balding, man with glasses. He wasn't here in any official capacity, just another person paying his last respects.

[brainstem]

Juan's family stood around the plot as a priest, Father Carpenter recognizes him as Jonathan Wrigley, begins to read passages from the Bible. Tossing a rosary into the hole, Juan's mother recoils into her husband's shoulder. Seeing her mother toss in the rosary then prompts Juan's young sister to throw in a small, stuffed fox.

As the last bits of dirt cover the hole, a car pulls up along the edge. More toward the center of the section, the car is a decent distance away. Four men step out of the car and head toward the Pardo family. The men are all dressed in business suits and wear dark sunglasses. Casually, they approach the group of mourners.

[dorkknight23]

Father Carpenter is confused, but tries to banish the thought. Whatever is going on, it is likely the effort of the authorities to sort out this business. It's a shame they're doing it out here. But he doesn't say anything unless approached and won't speak unless spoken to.

[wildknight]

Tristan didn't know these people, so he had no sense that any of this was unusual. He did continue to make mental notes, however... any of this could be used as part of a stirring scene for one of his books.

[sonoflaufey]

Ron notices the late comers. They must be friends of the family. He thinks to himself "Awfully rude to show up late to a funeral".

[brainstem]

The funeral begins to wrap up as one of the men in suits approach Juan's mother. They take her close and begin whispering to her. A tingle in Ben's ear picks up the dialogue between the man and Juan's mother.

"You know why we're here, Mrs. Pardo. It's time to collect what you owe us."
"Please... don't."
"You knew what you were getting into, ma'am. Don't make this uglier than it needs to be."

Subtly, the man gestures to something within the jacket of his suit, although it's difficult for Ben to make out what, exactly is going on. Juan's mother steps back as the man gestures to the three others. They begin to approach Juan's sister, who takes the more vocal man's hand.

"Thank you, ma'am, and I send my condolences to your family."

[dorkknight23]

Ben is immediately concerned one of these men is flashing something (a badge? a gun?) and seeming to threaten one of his parishioner. This is, after all, sacred ground.

He puts his collar on, and smiles, What am I getting myself into...

"Excuse me, gentlemen," he approaches, putting his hand on her shoulder...

Diplomacy check (1d20+4=17)

"I'm Father Carpenter; I'd like to ask what this is about."

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Listen 15, Search 15, Spot 13
Defense 11
For +1 Ref +1 Will +4
Hit Points: 6
Damage Threshold 12
Action Points: 5

[wildknight]

Tristan saw the priest step up, and headed over himself. Wouldn't do to have a priest do the right thing while he, the great Tristan Priest, stood on the sidelines.

Stepping up to stand alongside the priest, he put on his best somber face. To the Mother, he said simply "I'm Tristan Priest, you don't know me, but I wanted to express my condolences..."

Certainly, whatever these gentlemen were up to, they wouldn't do it with so many witnesses around?

*****************************************************
Listen: 11 Search: 10 Spot: 11
Defense: 12
Fort: 2 Ref: 3 Will: 1
HP: 7

[sonoflaufey]

Ron noticed that a small group of people seemed to be accosting the mourning Pardo family. He could tell from the look on Mrs. Pardo's face that they were just adding to her grief. Well, if he could, Ron was going to clear the people out, no mother should have to go through burying her child, and to try to add on top of those troubles was just disgraceful. Ron took a few even, heavy steps across to the Pardo family and the six men who seem to be troubling them. "What seems to be the trouble here, ma'am?"

Intimidate check on the man who is holding the Pardo daughter's hand.

1d20+7=24

Listen: 10 Search: 11 Spot: 14
Defense: 12
Fort: 4 Ref: 1 Will: 0
HP: 13

[brainstem]

"Would you?" the man asks. He passes the girl on to one of his men as he continues to speak with Father Carpenter. "Well, I would certainly like to tell you. That would be a touch difficult, though." He extends his hand for a shake. "Owen Bright. Nice to meet you, Father."

Before Owen can continue speaking, Ron steps up to the group. Catching quite the look from him, Owen begins to step away from Father Carpenter. "Well it's been wonderful making your acquaintance, Father. I'm afraid that I've done my part here and must be leaving." He then, with the three other men and the girl.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Pardo thanks Tristan for his condolences and addresses Ron. "Oh there's no trouble. Those men are just co-workers of mine."

[dorkknight23]

Ben's happy he isn't the only one concerned with these people, and looks at Tristan and Rob with a smile. He also makes a point to remember the name of Owen Bright as he listens to Mrs. Pardo...

Sense Motive (1d20+5=17)

He purses his lip slightly as he looks at Mrs. Pardo. He wonders if she's being honest with him.

[brainstem]

Nothing, it seems to Ben, is particularly off about Mrs. Pardo's attitude, however he can't shake the feeling that something just isn't right.