p class="MsoNormal"strongspan lang="EN-US"Well, I had more fun than usual writing this chapter. Hope you enjoy as well!/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"CHAPTER 11/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-You know, maybe all these ghost stories are just starting to get my sixth sense working overtime. -, Jo sighed, placing the folder back on her desk. -Why don't we call it a night?-, Mac suggested with a hopeful smile. When he got no response, he tried another strategy. -The parking garage is kind of spooky right now. You should take advantage of my generous offer to walk you out. –/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"He was really trying to make her leave at a reasonable hour, Jo mused. She'd never say it aloud, but she was secretly pleased by the man's thoughtfulness, she found it endearing. -You want to walk me out, uh?-, she repeated with a grin. –Yeah. I'm right behind you. -, he quipped, ushering her outside her office, towards the elevator. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The parking garage indeed was kind of spooky, so much so that when Mac's phone rang, Jo jumped slightly and barely managed to repress a scream. –Hi, Ellie. Yeah, I'm leaving right now. No, I didn't catch any ghosts, sorry. Yeah, I checked with Adam, he's going out with his friends tomorrow night. -, the man calmly answered his daughter's questions, then shot a glance to Jo. She held his gaze. –You know, we could organize a one-shot for beginners. I was thinking about Jo, Sheldon, Danny and Lindsay. Maybe Don, if it's not too nerd for him. Okay, I'll ask around. See you soon. –/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-What are you trying to organize now?-, Jo drawled, eyes narrowed at her colleague. –Well, as you know Friday night is role-play night, but Adam's ditched us. Something about a chick he's trying desperately to pick up or something. It could be an opportunity to introduce you, Sheldon, the Messers and Flack to it? I'm sure, with the case we've just worked, I could come up with a nice ghost story. -, he explained nonchalantly, grinning. Jo grinned back, smacking him on the chest./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"span lang="EN-US"***MJ***/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The final party consisted of herself, Hawkes, Lindsay and, surprisingly, Flack. The latter had a dubious expression on his face, though. –Where did you put your husband, Linds?-, he wondered, taking a swig of the beer offered by Ellie. Jo had caught the young girl shooting glances at the Homicide Detective, but so far he was unresponsive. -He's home with Lucy. He said role-play was stupid, serves him right!-, her colleague replied, smirking in satisfaction./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-So, how does this work?-, Sheldon inquired, looking to Mac. –Well, role-play varies from game to game. Tonight it will be highly simplified, so we won't bother you with rules. Ellie will be the Master tonight, so I'll leave it to her. -, the older man nodded to his daughter, who finally stopped coming and going to the kitchen and sat down at the head of the table./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-Right. I made up some character forms for you. In there you'll find your character's name, age, appearance and skills. You can think of your own background briefly, now, and make it up as we go. The most important part right now is the equipment. Remember, if you don't explicitly tell me you have something, then you don't. -, Ellie explained, handing one piece of paper per player. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-Wow! I'm a Marine!-, Lindsay gushed, taking a look at her form. –Me, too. -, Jo added. –Hey, I'm your superior!-, the younger woman observed, pleased at the turn of the events. –Why a scientist?-, moaned Flack, turning to Sheldon. The Afro-American man shrugged. –You're good. I'm a reporter. -, he replied sardonically. Everybody then turned to Mac; he smirked. –I'm a gamekeeper. -, he announced. –Uh?-/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Before a proper conversation could start, Ellie started explaining the background. –So, this is the situation. It's present time, but with a twist; the Government is aware supernatural forces are at play in our world, and a Special Division of the Marines has been created to deal with critical situations. This Division is secret, but some information have leaked to the public. You…-, here Ellie pointed to Lindsay and Jo. -… have been sent to investigate some strange murders in New Orleans, specifically in the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge. You…-, she motioned to her father. -…are one of the gamekeepers working there. You two…-, she finally motioned to Flack and Hawkes. -…frequently work with the Division. You can decide whether you know each other and the two female Marines you've been partnered with. You don't know my father. You've just arrived in the city and have to meet with the gamekeeper in the afternoon. –/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Ellie then proceeded to explain how dices came into play. All in all, she seemed competent enough, her father mused, pleased. Being proficient in the activity, he spent some time studying his colleagues' expressions. Lindsay looked excited, Don seemed skeptic, Sheldon amused. Jo was so engrossed in the narration, she was subconsciously chewing on the pencil provided by Ellie. Mac averted his gaze before it went where it had no place going./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"span lang="EN-US"***MJ***/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-We're going, and that's final!-, cried Lindsay, looking smugly at Jo, secretly pleased she could pull rank. –With all due respect, Ma'am, it's a bat-shit idea. Let's go. And then I adjust the rifle in my arms. -, replied Jo, equally smug. She was enjoying this G.I. Joe persona Ellie had crafted for her. -Yo! I don't have no time to lose, ladies. This way. -, Mac piped up, grinning at Lindsay and winking at Jo./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"span lang="EN-US"***MJ***/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-Linds, no pressure, but it's time you start firing some five and six. They're almost on us. No pressure. -, Don said nervously, looking intently at the petite woman. Swearing, she finally managed to squeeze a double five. –That's it, you have to insult your dices!-, Don applauded. –Okay. You've centered the first beast square on the chest. It's staggering. Jo, your turn. -, Ellie directed, turning to the older woman./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"span lang="EN-US"***MJ***/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-Ah, dammit!-, Sheldon swore, looking at his double one. –I'm pretty dumb even for a reporter. -, he added with a small laugh. Ellie grinned sinisterly. –While you're trying to zoom on the muzzle, you trip, and the camera falls into the swamp. Do you try to pick it up?-/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"span lang="EN-US"***MJ***/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-Do I have an idea of what these beasts could be?-, Mac asked his daughter. –Throw the dices. -, she nodded to him. He did. He got a double six. –You're one hundred percent sure they're Rougarous. You've even caught a glimpse of them before. You know for a fact they've never bothered anyone before. They hunt animals. -, Ellie provided, and her father nodded as if it made sense./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-What the hell's a rougarou?-, Don wondered. Surprisingly, it was Jo who answered him. –It's basically a French werewolf. -, she replied nonchalantly. Mac shot her an impressed glance. –Hey, Alabama's not so far away from Louisiana. –/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"span lang="EN-US"***MJ***/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-Mac, thank you for tonight. It was exactly what I needed!-, Jo sighed, placing a hand on the man's bicep. They were currently standing in front of the Taylors' door, waiting for Lindsay and Ellie to finalize their babysitting plans. –I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Feel free to come back whenever you want. Door's always open. -, the man told her softly, with a small smile./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"CHAPTER 11/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-You know, maybe all these ghost stories are just starting to get my sixth sense working overtime. -, Jo sighed, placing the folder back on her desk. -Why don't we call it a night?-, Mac suggested with a hopeful smile. When he got no response, he tried another strategy. -The parking garage is kind of spooky right now. You should take advantage of my generous offer to walk you out. –/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"He was really trying to make her leave at a reasonable hour, Jo mused. She'd never say it aloud, but she was secretly pleased by the man's thoughtfulness, she found it endearing. -You want to walk me out, uh?-, she repeated with a grin. –Yeah. I'm right behind you. -, he quipped, ushering her outside her office, towards the elevator. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The parking garage indeed was kind of spooky, so much so that when Mac's phone rang, Jo jumped slightly and barely managed to repress a scream. –Hi, Ellie. Yeah, I'm leaving right now. No, I didn't catch any ghosts, sorry. Yeah, I checked with Adam, he's going out with his friends tomorrow night. -, the man calmly answered his daughter's questions, then shot a glance to Jo. She held his gaze. –You know, we could organize a one-shot for beginners. I was thinking about Jo, Sheldon, Danny and Lindsay. Maybe Don, if it's not too nerd for him. Okay, I'll ask around. See you soon. –/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-What are you trying to organize now?-, Jo drawled, eyes narrowed at her colleague. –Well, as you know Friday night is role-play night, but Adam's ditched us. Something about a chick he's trying desperately to pick up or something. It could be an opportunity to introduce you, Sheldon, the Messers and Flack to it? I'm sure, with the case we've just worked, I could come up with a nice ghost story. -, he explained nonchalantly, grinning. Jo grinned back, smacking him on the chest./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"span lang="EN-US"***MJ***/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"The final party consisted of herself, Hawkes, Lindsay and, surprisingly, Flack. The latter had a dubious expression on his face, though. –Where did you put your husband, Linds?-, he wondered, taking a swig of the beer offered by Ellie. Jo had caught the young girl shooting glances at the Homicide Detective, but so far he was unresponsive. -He's home with Lucy. He said role-play was stupid, serves him right!-, her colleague replied, smirking in satisfaction./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-So, how does this work?-, Sheldon inquired, looking to Mac. –Well, role-play varies from game to game. Tonight it will be highly simplified, so we won't bother you with rules. Ellie will be the Master tonight, so I'll leave it to her. -, the older man nodded to his daughter, who finally stopped coming and going to the kitchen and sat down at the head of the table./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-Right. I made up some character forms for you. In there you'll find your character's name, age, appearance and skills. You can think of your own background briefly, now, and make it up as we go. The most important part right now is the equipment. Remember, if you don't explicitly tell me you have something, then you don't. -, Ellie explained, handing one piece of paper per player. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-Wow! I'm a Marine!-, Lindsay gushed, taking a look at her form. –Me, too. -, Jo added. –Hey, I'm your superior!-, the younger woman observed, pleased at the turn of the events. –Why a scientist?-, moaned Flack, turning to Sheldon. The Afro-American man shrugged. –You're good. I'm a reporter. -, he replied sardonically. Everybody then turned to Mac; he smirked. –I'm a gamekeeper. -, he announced. –Uh?-/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Before a proper conversation could start, Ellie started explaining the background. –So, this is the situation. It's present time, but with a twist; the Government is aware supernatural forces are at play in our world, and a Special Division of the Marines has been created to deal with critical situations. This Division is secret, but some information have leaked to the public. You…-, here Ellie pointed to Lindsay and Jo. -… have been sent to investigate some strange murders in New Orleans, specifically in the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge. You…-, she motioned to her father. -…are one of the gamekeepers working there. You two…-, she finally motioned to Flack and Hawkes. -…frequently work with the Division. You can decide whether you know each other and the two female Marines you've been partnered with. You don't know my father. You've just arrived in the city and have to meet with the gamekeeper in the afternoon. –/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"Ellie then proceeded to explain how dices came into play. All in all, she seemed competent enough, her father mused, pleased. Being proficient in the activity, he spent some time studying his colleagues' expressions. Lindsay looked excited, Don seemed skeptic, Sheldon amused. Jo was so engrossed in the narration, she was subconsciously chewing on the pencil provided by Ellie. Mac averted his gaze before it went where it had no place going./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"span lang="EN-US"***MJ***/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-We're going, and that's final!-, cried Lindsay, looking smugly at Jo, secretly pleased she could pull rank. –With all due respect, Ma'am, it's a bat-shit idea. Let's go. And then I adjust the rifle in my arms. -, replied Jo, equally smug. She was enjoying this G.I. Joe persona Ellie had crafted for her. -Yo! I don't have no time to lose, ladies. This way. -, Mac piped up, grinning at Lindsay and winking at Jo./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"span lang="EN-US"***MJ***/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-Linds, no pressure, but it's time you start firing some five and six. They're almost on us. No pressure. -, Don said nervously, looking intently at the petite woman. Swearing, she finally managed to squeeze a double five. –That's it, you have to insult your dices!-, Don applauded. –Okay. You've centered the first beast square on the chest. It's staggering. Jo, your turn. -, Ellie directed, turning to the older woman./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"span lang="EN-US"***MJ***/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-Ah, dammit!-, Sheldon swore, looking at his double one. –I'm pretty dumb even for a reporter. -, he added with a small laugh. Ellie grinned sinisterly. –While you're trying to zoom on the muzzle, you trip, and the camera falls into the swamp. Do you try to pick it up?-/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"span lang="EN-US"***MJ***/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-Do I have an idea of what these beasts could be?-, Mac asked his daughter. –Throw the dices. -, she nodded to him. He did. He got a double six. –You're one hundred percent sure they're Rougarous. You've even caught a glimpse of them before. You know for a fact they've never bothered anyone before. They hunt animals. -, Ellie provided, and her father nodded as if it made sense./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-What the hell's a rougarou?-, Don wondered. Surprisingly, it was Jo who answered him. –It's basically a French werewolf. -, she replied nonchalantly. Mac shot her an impressed glance. –Hey, Alabama's not so far away from Louisiana. –/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"span lang="EN-US"***MJ***/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US"-Mac, thank you for tonight. It was exactly what I needed!-, Jo sighed, placing a hand on the man's bicep. They were currently standing in front of the Taylors' door, waiting for Lindsay and Ellie to finalize their babysitting plans. –I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Feel free to come back whenever you want. Door's always open. -, the man told her softly, with a small smile./span/p