Anteheroes: Rogue Agent

[Khane]

Sean replies to the PDA message with a single word of thanks, and then
relays the information in the PDA to the rest of the group, before saying:

"I think we should keep a low profile. Do typical traveler things until nightfall, where we can meet with our contact. At the same time, we must try and gather as much intelligence on the area as possible. This means we do 3 things: Find lodging, a place to buy food, and find entertainment. We do not want to eat out, as our dinner conversation probably won't help our cover. We must maintain operational security, which means limiting casual interactions with locals.

After that, our best course of action would probably be to look around the library before our contact arrives, to help establish security over the meeting. Going to the library early also helps cement our cover as scholars."

[phoenixcire]

Daren listens to Sean while slightly nodding his head to the suggestions. Afterwards Daren adds:

We must remember that while keeping a low profile, we don't want to look secretive. This is small town America, people usually notice you more if you are actively trying to not be seen. People in small towns tend to like it when visitors are open and honest. Keeping a smile always at the ready would be wise in interactions with locals.

[Username]

"I agree about the library. I want to see if they have any books about the local history there."

[Gardener]

Harley answers without taking his eyes off the road. "Sounds good. Has anyone seen a newsagent? A tourist map and a local paper would tell us most of what we need to know."

[phoenixcire]

Hmmm. Try a gas station.

[AstralFire]

Edit:Never mind, just realized we hadn't parked. I've got nothing to say.

{{You can assume you move the cark into park or something. These are minor details.}}

Hmmm. Try a gas station.

Down the road a quarter-mile to your left, there's a single regional franchise gas station named "Super King", with a 50's style font and logo. It looks fairly well kept, but in general, you get the sense that time has sort of forgotten this place...

Heaing into the gas station is a simple affair; the cashier smiles at you broadly and asks - with more twang than you may care to tolerate - how you're doing and if she can help you.

You find the maps easily and with little effort; there are several for the wider region, all meant for travelers such as yourselves. The newspapers are nearby, and it doesn't seem like there's a lot to note:

Thomson Edging Out Epperman
Local race getting heated
A New Library With a New Purpose
The Percival Hughes Study Library
Presidential Candidates Spar One Last Time
Detailed Analysis
Op-Ed: The Essential Lightness of Wallet
Joshua Stanton

[Username]

Clark glances over the maps before nodding "Well, shall we head to the library now? We need to begin research on the local history."

[phoenixcire]

Daren grabs a paper, I'd like to read about this "New Library With a New Purpose." Anyone know who Percival Hughes is?

[AstralFire]

A New Library With a New Purpose

Amidst the roar of earth movers, dust and construction workers, a dozen volunteers began stocking the bare shelves of the Eastern Shoreboard's newest library on Tuesday.

Although the library's grand opening is not for another month, librarians, students and community members all joined forces to unload and store 10,901 books, DVDs, CDs and audio books at the new Percival Hughes Library.

"This is just the beginning of the shipment," said Northbridge Library Branch Manager Georgia Will. "We've ordered $500,000 worth of materials for the first day."

The new library is scheduled to open on the weekend of November 1, coinciding with its namesake's birthday. Will said, however, the library will open before the grand opening.

Library shelves will not be fully stocked by the grand opening celebration, Will said. She said the library wants space to add titles over the years and keep the collection up to date.

The titles coming in this week are heavily focused on self-help and global activism, in large contrast to the children's library it is replacing - although Will assures us that there will be plenty of that, as well. Still, the library's purpose is to further the work of its now-deceased founder - Percival Hughes. The local eccentric was a weapons manufacturer most of his life, but spent his last two decades as a diplomat, settling down in the Accomac region because, he said, "there is something pure and untainted here. I want to harness it for the good of mankind, to follow the will of the Almighty." Hughes died on May 7, 2007 of a heart attack when he was 97 years old.

The Hughes Foundation will begin work on a second phase once the new library is completed - the Percival Hughes Junior College, which will expand the combined building infrastructures to a total of 50,161 square feet. Relatively small by state standards, Hughes expressed a desire on his deathbed to broaden the education here without destroying the area with what he considered the 'urban squalor of man'.
Harriett Swider, a local cook, was one of the volunteers helping stack the shelves on Tuesday. She said the town is excited about the new library.

"Ah yes, we're thrilled with the possibility of doing this together," she said. "When you put the two together it's quite a combination. It's going to be a hopping spot."

By Frederick Howell

[phoenixcire]

Daren finishes reading the article and folds up the paper.

It appears that we won't be all that alone in the library. Maybe all the commotion from this library will keep the locals from paying too much attention to us.

[AstralFire]

For lodging: There is only one hotel in town - a Days Inn - and only one motel out of town and nearby - an older, locally owned inn that has seen better days (about 50 years ago).

With restaurants, you have a bit more freedom. Ronald McDonald and Colonel Sanders have local ambassadors here, and there are a number of locally-owned restaurants - Aunt Martha's Crawdads 'n' Cuts and Accomac Eatery both coming in strongly recommended by the locals.

Turns out there's only The Hughes library isn't quite huge - but it's certainly bigger than you expected from looking at its exterior. What is most striking about it as you enter is how startlingly modern it is - the architecture and equipment inside uses a lot of stainless steel and simple, bold lines.

People mill about the building and the librarians smile at you, but no one seems to pay much attention to you - the event was big across the peninsula, so there are probably an unusually high amount of people around.

[Neon Knight]

Selim is ill at ease; the sheer number of people here reminds him of the gravity of his task. A single paranormal set loose in a situation like this could claim many lives. He looks about grimly, and hopes that he and his allies will be able to prevent such calamities.

[Username]

Clark happily begins searching for any books on the local history, as well as keeping an eye out for any spirits who may have been attracted by the new building.

[Gardener]

Harley simply mills with the crowd, occasionally trying to listen for mentions of strange occurences in convesation. Above all, he tries not to stand out, at least to mundane eyes.

[phoenixcire]

Daren goes looking around. He finds Modern Architecture Since 1900 by William J. R. Curtis. Leaning against the shelf in which he found it, Daren thumbs through the book while keeping his attention on the crowd.

[AstralFire]

Clark happily begins searching for any books on the local history, as well as keeping an eye out for any spirits who may have been attracted by the new building.

Taking a seat in the private study section of the library and flipping through the pages, everything seems normal and... thoroughly boring, really. At least at first. The town is a Native American word for 'across the water'; a fair description of what it is, but nothing terribly interesting, provocative, or insightful.

As he reads, though, something is bothering him about the thin, quiet, brown-haired boy with glasses across the table from him. Something that he can't quite put his finger on, but he has seen the boy before. He can't be more than 11 or 12, and he seems frustrated with the thick, jewel-encrusted grimoire in his hands. If you try to look at the title, the words seem to elude you...

Harley simply mills with the crowd, occasionally trying to listen for mentions of strange occurences in convesation. Above all, he tries not to stand out, at least to mundane eyes.

Harley and Selim, through their observation, have begun to pick up a few things - like the fact that this library unofficially opened the day of Helena's breakout. Not much more than that, however, other than observations about the economy and the upcoming election.

[Username]

To Sean (OOC: Yeah, still open. I never closed it and it lasts till then.) (Emotion: curious) <Hey, can you see the kid sitting across from me, holding an incredibly out of place jewel encrusted tome? If not, I think I just spotted a spirit. Dunno why, but feels like I've seen him somewhere before too, though I can't place my finger on it.>

[Khane]

Sean looks up at Harley while skimming his incredibly boring architecture text. Might as well know what your cover should know, after all, before looking to see if he can see the kid.

(OOC: IF he doesn't see the kid, I'd like to send this. Otherwise, disregard.)

To Harley, Emotion:(Bored)<I dun see anything man. Just dust, chairs, and our little entourage here. No kids.>

[AstralFire]

You do not see the child.