Riker yanks on Francis' collar, hard, trying to get him out of the room. His other fist clutches the .45, levelling the pistol at the thing's face. Bullets mightn't hurt it, but the flash might blind it...

[CM]: Clinging to the ceiling like a bloated spider, the thing hisses hungrily at you. Then it leaps... Init rolls please.

        DICE for Francis: (1d10) = [ 5 ]
        DICE for Riker: (1d10) = [ 10 ]
        DICE for Benny: (1d10) = [ 8 ]
        DICE for CM: (1d10) = [ 10 ]

[CM]: Riker roll again for me.

        DICE for Riker: (1d10) = [ 5 ]
        DICE for CM: (1d10) = [ 2 ]

[CM]: Okay, Riker first, then it, then Benny, then Francis.

Francis stands stunned in horror.

Riker screams, "MOVE IT!!!" His finger tightens <BOOMBOOMBOOM!!> spent shell casings an abbreviated, glittering arc from his gun hand.  And yes, he is backpedaling.

[CM]: Make the roll, Riker.

        DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 79 ]

[CM]: The sound of Riker's gun is shattering in the enclosed space. Two bullets punch through the creature's thigh and abdomen as it drops to the floor. Sickeningly, the wound runs together like melted wax, sealing instantly.

Francis looks frantically around for something like a stake. A table leg, a piece of ceiling... anything...

[Riker]: "MOVE MOVE MOVE! CLOSE THE FUCKING DOOR!"

[CM]: Moving with frightening speed, the creature lashes out and grasps Francis around the throat with a hand so cold it burns.

        DICE for CM: (1d100) = [ 57 ]

[Francis]: "Gurkkkk."

[Gustav]: "Ah, Doctor Walters. I've missed you, you know."

[Francis]: "Gurgle."

Riker screams again. "GRAAAAHHH! SONOFA BITCH!" Francis is too close for a gunshot, so Riker grabs the maglite from him and brings it into service as a half-assed billy club.

[CM]: Gustav's breath is foul, its mouth more like a knife drawer than anything human.

        DICE for Benny: (1d100) = [ 32 ]

Benny slugs the creature, but it barely seems to notice. It's focussed on Francis, on his throat...

Riker swings the light at the bloodsucker's head, adrenalin and fear speeding his reflexes.

[Francis]: "Gurck!"

[CM]: Make the roll Riker.

        DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 45 ]

Francis brings an arm up, trying to keep the thing from biting his neck.

[Riker]: "Gaaaaah! Shit!"

[CM]: There's a dull crack as the heavy flash slams into Gustav's skull. The thing roars and throws Francis aside like a discarded toy.

        DICE for CM: (1d20) = [ 17 ]

[CM]: Francis takes 17 STA damage as he bounces off the wall and impacts the floor.

[Gustav]: "Rrrriiiiker..."

        DICE for CM: (1d100) = [ 55 ]

Riker raises the pistol again. "Suck on this, asshole," he hisses. <BOOOM!!>

[CM]: A sudden hole appears in Gustav's shoulder. The creature lashes out with impossibly long talons, scoring fine lines through Riker's shirt and chest.

Francis rolls over onto his side, looking for something, anything to use as a stake.

Riker's finger keeps pulling. Maybe an eye or head shot, something to at least knock it back, long enough to close the door...

        DICE for Benny: (1d100) = [ 40 ]

[Benny]: Riker's pistol is joined by Benny's as he fires at the creature.

[CM]: Though its cloths are shredded, the bullets seem to do nothing to the thing. A bullet impacts with Gustav's head, plowing a fist sized hole through his face. Seconds later, he's whole again.

(CM whispered to Francis): Make a PCN roll.

[Riker]: "YAAAAH!" <BOOMBOOMBOOMclack!>. "Oh shit." Bad time to run out of ammo.

(To CM) DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 16 ]

(CM whispered to Francis): You find a spar from an old chair in the debris you landed on.

[CM]: The creature laughs and steps forward deliberatly.

(Francis whispered to CM): Grab it and crawl around behind him while he's occupied with Benny & Riker... going for the "through the back of the heart"

[Riker]: "Fuck! Move it! MOVE!" He's trying to shove people back, out the door, away from the thing.

[Gustav]: "Out of ammo? How sssssad."

Francis scrabbles along the floor, fleeing the creature... but the wrong way. Into the room, not out of it.

[CM]: Above you, the wreckage of the house shifts...

Riker quips, looking back and forth, "Wasn't doin' much good anyways..." He keeps backpedaling, then lashes out a foot to slam into the doorframe. "Francis!  Dammit! This way!"

(Francis whispered to CM): Making my move now...

(CM whispered to Francis): Make the DEX roll

(To CM) DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 88 ]

Francis swings wildly at Gustav, arms flailing...and misses completely.

Gustav grabs Francis's arm and twists it behind his back, immobilising him.

Riker yells, "Hey! Bloodsucker!" Slams a fist into the doorframe, bloodying his knuckles. "Chow time, motherfucker!"!

[Francis]: "Mr. Riker, the chair! Where I fell!"

[Gustav]: "I don't think so Riiikerrr."

[Riker]: "Benny!  Grab it!'

[Francis]: "Do it anyway!"

Riker dangles his hand, suggestively. He slides sideways towards the shattered chair. "What's that? Tickboy turning down a meal?  Whassamatter, too rich for you?"

Benny grabs a yard long peice of wood from the wreckage by the door and tosses it to Riker.

Gustav snarls at Riker. "No thanks, I've got all I need right here." Then, smiling, he drives his fangs into Francis's neck.

[Francis]: "Aaaaggghhhhhh!!"

Riker drops the pistol and snags the improvised stake. He howls, and rushes forward, maglite swinging again, stake in his opposite hand.

Gustav's eyes roll up into his skull as he drinks deeply...

Riker brings the maglite forward, jabbing at Gustav's temple. That stake's going up under the ribcage, dammit.

[CM]: Make the roll for the club attack Riker. If you don't have the Blackjack skill, it's unskilled melee.

[CM]: The leech is briefly locked in a paroxysm of ecstasy as Francis' blood pumps into him...

        DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 64 ]

[CM]: make the roll for the stake.

        DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 58 ]

Francis dangles in the creature's grasp as his blood is drained.

(CM whispered to Francis): There's a pulsing, pounding in your head. Your mind seems to be expanding at a phenominal rate. There are shadows at the edge of your vision, things unseen becoming real....

(Francis whispered to CM): Is there anything I can do?

(CM whispered to Francis): What do you want to try?

(Francis whispered to CM): Push him away? Or at least try? If he's not holding the arm with the stake, I'll just stick it into his black heart.

[CM]: Riker's attack is ineffectual. The stake skids off the thing's ribs and it's so blinded by blood frenzy it doesn't even notice the blow to the head...

[Riker]: "Fuck!" The light is abandoned as a weapon, tossed to Benny.  Both hands go into the next attack.

(CM whispered to Francis): It has your arm twisted behind you and its fangs in your neck. You could get away, but it'll hurt and need a good unskilled melee roll.

(Francis whispered to CM): I'll try...

(To CM) DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 29 ]

[CM]: As Riker moves forward, Francis opens his eyes...

[Francis]: "In the name of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit..."

Gustav roars in disgust and tears himself away, spitting out the blood in his mouth...

[Gustav]: "Ssssacrilige!!"

Francis advances on Gustav, staggering, stake held in front of him like a spear.

Gustav backs away into the archive, eyes casting about for an advantage...

[Francis]: "By the power of His blood, shed in suffering for our sins..."

[Gustav]: "Gaaaaaahh!"

Francis continues to advance on Gustav.

[Francis]: "By the strength of the virtue of His Blessed Virgin Mother..."

[CM]: The creature backs up against the wall.

Riker finally gets the hint, circling to cut the thing off, flashlight providing a right angle with which to form a crude cross.  "In th'
name of the Father, th' Son, an' the ever-lovin' Spirit..."

[Francis]: "By all that I hold Holy, by the power of Knowledge itself, I put you to rest."

(To CM) DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 66 ]

Francis crosses himself, slowly, desperately trying to hang on long enough to make the final stroke.

(CM whispered to Francis): WPR roll

(To CM) DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 78 ]

Francis, wounded and weakened, finally collapses to the floor.

Riker finishes it for him. The stake snaps forward, hopefully into Gustav's heart.

[CM]: Make an Unskilled Melee roll, Riker.

        DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 80 ]

Riker lunges forwards, but the beast is no longer there... Darting past Riker it lunges for Benny and the open door.

[Riker]: "SHIT!"  He spins on his heel and runs after it. Maybe a nice tackle and stab manuver...

        DICE for Benny: (1d100) = [ 54 ]

Benny dives at its legs and bring it down in a heap of thrashing limbs.

Riker dives into the pile. What's a few bruises when fighting the living dead, huh?

[CM]: Make the unskilled melee roll. If you're on top of it add 40 to your skill.

        DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 60 ]

[CM]: The stake punches through its back. The creature spasms and lurches to its feet, throwing you off. It howls as it staggers to the door.

Riker slams into it shoulder-first, trying to drive the stake in, and the thing into the wall.

[CM]: The stake sinks in with a crunch, and the thing collapses, falling first to its knees, then on its face with a heavy slap. It twitches once, then lies still.

Riker lashes a kick out at its ribs then runs back into the archives.  "Francis...aw, shit...you are not gonna die on us now, man..."

[Benny]: "Christ Riker, you nearly punched MY ticket with that stake!"

[Riker]: "Shaddup!  It worked, didn't it?"

[Benny]: "Is he okay?"

Riker kneels next to Francis. Fuck checking for a pulse, apply direct pressure to the wound. "Hell no. We've gotta get him outta here.  Francis, man, stay with us...Benny, check the damn armory, see if there's a crash kit in there or somethin'..."
Benny scurries off, past the corpse and through the door into the armoury.

[Riker]: "Francis, you are not gonna die.  I ain't gonna let you die."

[Voice]: "Riker."

Riker looks up, expecting Benny. "What, man?"

[Gustav]: "Is that the best you can do?"

[CM]: The thing is upright, the stake in its hand, the hole in its chest already healed...

[Riker]: "Aw, fuck!  Benny!!"

(Benny whispered to CM): Can I hear this?

(CM whispered to Benny): Yes.

(Benny whispered to CM): I'm looking for something in here, like an axe or a sword.

(CM whispered to Benny): LUCK roll.

(To CM) DICE for Benny: (1d100) = [ 13 ]

(CM whispered to Benny): In a scabbard attached to the wall is a gleaming broadsword.

(Benny whispered to CM): I'll grab it and try to attack him from behind.

[CM]: Benny is nowhere to be seen..

(CM whispered to Benny): It's preoccupied with Riker and Frnacis. make an unskilled melee roll.

Riker snarls at Gustav. "You want Francis, tickboy? You're gonna haveta get through me." He grabs for the stake Francis dropped.

(To CM) DICE for Benny: (1d100) = [ 10 ]

[CM]: The creature fills the doorway, snarling it's rage...then there is a strange sound, a metallic whisper and it cocks its head as if listening. Then the head slides off its shoulders and onto the floor...

[Riker]: "Time's up, shithead." Remarkably, he grins. "Ooh, that's gotta hurt..."

[CM]: The body topples over again, revealing Benny, looking vaguely non-plussed. He's carrying a sword in one hand.

[Riker]: "Benny, man...you just saved our bacon. Bonus for you." He slaps Francis' cheek, lightly. "C'mon, Frankie baby...you ain't gonna die on us now..."

[Benny]: "Couldn't find the crash kit, but I found this." He drops the sword and runs over to Francis. "Looks like he's lost a couple of pints."

(CM whispered to Francis): You can wake up any time now, but you're weak and groggy and probably in need of hospital attention.

[Francis]: "Nnuuggghhh..."

[Riker]: "Jesus, Benny, he's bleedin' like a stuck pig. We've gotta get him to a hospital...or a church. Fuck, fuck do I hate this supernatural voodoo bullshit!" He hefts Francis. "See if you can pull the hard drive on that thing, man."

[Francis]: "Cut... head... off.. have to cut head... off..."

[Benny]: "Uh, Riker?"

[Riker]: "Yeah yeah, Francis, Benny nailed him...we've gotta get you patched up, man, you're a mess. What, Benny?"

Benny stares past you towards the door.

[Francis]: "Burn..."

[Benny]: "I can't take more of this shit."

Riker squints, takes a look-see. "Aw, no...what now?" said in true Treat Williams style.

[CM]: By the door, Gustav's body lies in a pool of blood. Only the blood is running together, forming something that is slowly rising out of the pool...

[Riker]: "Grab his head! Grab his fucking head!"

[Francis]: "Must burn..."

        DICE for Benny: (1d100) = [ 45 ]

Riker hustles for the armory. Maybe they've got a flamethrower.  Something.  Anything.

[CM]: To get to the armoury you have to go past the blood.

Benny darts forward to snatch the severed head from the blood pool, but the slithering shape grasps it before he can reach it.

[Riker]: "Shit! Slice it, man! fuck!" One hand fumbles in his pocket for the ever-trusty Zippo.

[CM]: Blood is gushing from Gustav's body now, slithering into the gory mass.

Benny hacks uselessly at it with the sword, striking sparks from the concrete floor.

[Benny]: "What the fuck is this thing? Super Vamp?"

(CM whispered to Riker): DEX roll to snag the lighter.

[Riker]: "Dammit, dammit..."  The zippo is fumbled out, struck.  Feeble little flame, but...He scoots a few steps closer, and waves the lighter at the mass of goo. "Shit, man! Get that stake, an' some paper!"

        DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 88 ]

[Riker]: "Whoops..."

Riker fumbles the ever trusty Zippo and it dives for the floor, about to have no part of this farce.

[CM]: <WHOOOOMPF!> The thing goes up like a Dodge Ram on Devil's Night. Blue flames crawl up the concrete wall...

[Francis]: "Noooo.... not the boooooks..."

[Riker]: "Well, that's somethin' new..." Riker ducks momentarily, to pick up his pistol. "Benny, man, grab that system, we've gotta jam. Sorry, Francis, couldn't exactly drag his ass outside..." Riker does look for an extinguisher, though.

Benny yanks the hard drive out of the terminal in the center of the room and heads for the door.

(CM whispered to Francis): Are you going to try to save anything?

(Francis whispered to CM): If I have the strength, yes!  Whatever I can reach, preferably something old and related to angels and demons...

(CM whispered to Francis): Luck roll

Riker ducks his head. "Man, I'm gonna catch holy hell from you when you're better, Francis..." He makes a mad dash for the door, and the stairs beyond.

(To CM) DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 70 ]

[CM]: As Riker passes the door, Francis makes a grab for some books, but they spill from his grasp onto the floor.

        DICE for Benny: (1d100) = [ 79 ]

Riker slows. "Aw, dammit, Francis... Benny, grab 'em! Let's go!"

Francis gives a sob of frustration.

Benny dodges past the flames, but some of the blood splashes onto his jacket, setting it alight...

        DICE for Benny: (1d100) = [ 19 ]

Riker squats. "Francis, you're gonna get us killed...grab 'em, man...we ain't got long. This place is gonna go down like a house'a cards."  He looks up. "Jesus! Benny! Ditch the jacket! Ditch the jacket!"

Benny scoops up the books Francis dropped and runs for the stairs, his jacket aflame...

[Benny]: "Fuck!"

Riker runs, too. Shit on this action.

Benny ditches the jacket, kicking it back into the burning archive...

Riker hefts Francis and runs. "Yaaaah!"

[CM]: Outside, the evening is drawing in, and the city skyline is coming alive...

Riker pants. "Francis, you still with us?"

Francis moans.

[CM]: As you squeeze through the gap in the firedoor, something down below explodes with a dull thud. More small
detonations follow...

Riker runs for the Bronco. "I am getting really sick of explosions, Francis. My ears are ringin'. I think I'm gettin' tinittus Benny, tell me you know first aid, man..."

Benny shrugs helplessly.

[CM]: There's a dull rumble and a crash, as the archive ceiling gives way and rubble and debris from the house pour in. Flames briefly lick up from the crate, then are smothered by the pall of dust.

[Francis]: "He...was... he... was..."

[Benny]: "He was what, Francis?"

[Francis]: "A... fine scholar. Damned shame."

Francis gives a gurgling cough.

[Benny]: "He'll live."

[Riker]: "You sure?"  The Bronco roars away from the scene. "Man, this is my happening and it's freakin' me out..."

[Francis]: "This... will make... research... more difficult."

[Riker]: "Yeah, just a bit."

[Francis]: "What... do we... tell the doctor?"

[Benny]: "Dog bite?"

[Riker]: "Benny, talk to me, man...does he need a doc?"

Francis is holding a hand over the wound on his neck. He seems reluctant to look at it.

[Benny]: "How the hell should I know? I've never seen a vamp bite before. He's lost plenty of blood though. He could do with a pint back at least."

(Francis whispered to CM): By ordinary Chill rules Francis shouldn't be infected - what does he know about it?

[Riker]: "Fuck. The cops are gonna crucify me." He thinks.  "Dammit..."

(CM whispered to Francis): It depends on the vampire. And that was a vamp like none you've heard about.

(Riker whispered to CM): Riker's trying to remember if he knows a black clinic or doc he can pass a few hundred bucks to to patch Francis up.

(CM whispered to Riker): WPR roll

(Francis whispered to CM): Uh oh...

(To CM) DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 80 ]

[Francis]: "Prrrriest."

[Riker]: "Right. Yeah. There's my parish preist....or are you somethin' other'n Catholic, Francis?"

[Francis]: "Don't... think it... matters."

Riker steers the truck towards the church closest to the theatre district, and the Combat Zone. Fewer questions the better

[CM]: The night rolls in, and with it a fever that begins to consume Francis...

[Benny]: "He's burning up man. Hang in there Francis."

[Francis]: "Mmmngh."

[Benny]: "Any ideas on where we can take him, Riker?"

[Francis]: "Bless me father, for I have sinnned..."

Riker slams his hands onto the wheel. "Goin' as fast as I can.  There's a little church by my office. We'll try there."

[Francis]: ((mumble, mumble, mumble))

[Riker]: "Francis, talk to me, man...what do we need to do...?

(Francis whispered to CM): Can I think well enough to make cogent suggestions?

(CM whispered to Francis): Yes.

[CM]: The lights are on in the little church when Riker's Bronco screeches to a halt outside. The sweet sound of voices raised in song filters outside, banishing the shadows...

[Riker]: "Man, I hope this works...we'll say somebody tried to mug Francis here. Father Mulcahey knows me, he'll be cool. Help me get him out, Benny...'

[Francis]: "Water... bless...me...father."

(CM whispered to Benny): As you're helping Francis out of the car, you catch a glimpse of his eyes. They're dark and filled with blood. They catch the light of the moon and hold it like tiny crimson candles...

[Benny]: "Christ man, look at his eyes!"

[Riker]: "Holy water, right. Let's hope the font's full..." Riker doesn't look at the eyes. He gets Benny inside, to the font.

Riker keeps looking straight ahead. 20 steps...19...18...keep walking...

[Francis]: "Riker... if it doesn't work... behead.... burn..."

[CM]: As you step through the door, the singing stops, and the congregation turn to stare at you. Covered in dirt, covered in blood...

[Riker]: "Francis, it is gonna work." He yells, "Hey, this guy got mugged! Get th' Father!" He casts his eyes about for the font. Head for that first.

[Father Mulcahey]: "Alan? Is that you? Dear Lord, what happened to you?""

[Francis]: "Bless...me...father...sinned..."

[CM]: The font isn't too far from the door...

[Riker]: "Punks, padre! Saw us on the news, tried to start a fight!  I gotta get this guy washed off, see how bad he is!" Riker splashes water across the throat wound...

[Father Mulcahey]: <To a parishoner> "There's a First Aid kit in my office, on the wall by the door. Get it, quickly!" He stares at the ragged wound on Francis's throat and the way the water hisses as it touches his flesh.

[Francis]: "Uggghhhh!!"

Riker keeps splashing, rubbing at the crusted blood. He tries to get some water into Francis' mouth.  This is about as close to screaming panic as he gets without screaming.

[Father Mulcahey]: "Holy Mother." He crosses himself, then turns to the congregation. "Services are finished for tonight. Go to your homes, and I'll see you tomorrow."

(CM whispered to Francis): It BURNS!

Francis clamps his lips together, a moan of pain escaping none the less

[Francis]: "Don't....stop..."

Riker whispers, "...fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck...swallow, Francis, swallow.  Drink the water, man." More water gets splashed on Francis' neck, trying to wash out the punctures.

[Francis]: "AAAAGGHH!!"

Father Mulcahey catches Riker's arm. "Bring him into my office."

Riker mutters, "Blood'a Christ, blood'a Christ...I am so sorry, Francis.." He looks at the padre. "You serious? I mean..." He stares at the font.

[Father Mulcahey]: "Don't lie to me Alan. I know what kind of wound that is, and I can't treat it here."

Francis clutches at the priest's sleeve.

[Francis]: "Do... what you must."

[Riker]: "Shit. Okay, office." He hauls Francis thattaway.

Father Mulcahey calls to Benny. "Close the doors and bolt them."

Benny complies.

[CM]: The priest leads the way to a large office at the rear of the church. There he motions for Francis to be laid down on a sagging couch near the fireplace. Moving to his desk, the priest unlocks a lower drawer and withdraws a flat box and a small coil of climbing rope.

Riker lays Francis down, gently. Steps back, and snaps another clip into his pistol, jacking a round in. "Won't do any good, but if Francis goes, we can't stop him, he won't get turned.'

[Father Mulcahey]: "Tie him up." Crossing to the couch, he looks down at Francis. "Francis, can you hear me?"

Francis nods weakly and crosses his wrists across his stomach.

[Francis]: "Bless me... father.. it's been... years... since..."

[Father Mulcahey]: "Do you believe Francis? Not in dogma or doctrine, but in a loving God who protects his own?"

Francis nods.

Riker ties Francis down. "Don't get no kinky ideas, Francis." Riker looks up at Mulcahey. "We believe, oh yeah." He means it, too.

[Father Mulcahey]: "Then we have a chance."

[Francis]: "Too...wonderful... to be... random. Angels...."

[Riker]: "He's right, padre. No foolin'. We're uh..." It sounds bad, but the stress leads to loose lips. "We're on a mission from God.  Kinda."

[Father Mulcahey]: "We're all on a mission from God, my son."

[Francis]: "He said... angel died for us..."

Father Mulcahey opens the flat box up and takes out a slim volume. Drawing a shuddering breath, he turn to the first page. "Always hoped I'd never have to use this."

Riker looks more than a little disturbed by that comment. Perhaps he's wondering what's happened to the twins from the future, from Hell...

[Father Mulcahey]: "The ritual of exorcism is a long and arduous one. I'll need help."

Riker groans, faintly. "I'll do it. Gone this far, an' I never leave a man behind." For the first time in years, maybe ever, Riker crosses himself.

Father Mulcahey drapes his vestments over Francis' s trembling body, and begins to read.

[CM]: The words echo in the room, punctuated by the crackling of the fire and the hiss of blessed water hitting Francis' skin.

[Father Mulcahey]: "God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I invoke your Holy Name and suppliantly request you; deign to give me strength against this and every other unclean spirit which is tormenting this creature of yours..."

[CM]: The room seems to shimmer, becoming unreal, almost like a scene in a book. An image from the middle ages...

[Father Mulcahey]: "I exorcise you, Most Unclean Spirit! Invading Enemy! All spirits! Every one of you! In the name of our Lord; be uprooted and expelled from this creature of God. He who commands you is he who ordered you to be thrown down from the highest Heaven and into the depths of hell. He who commands you is he who dominated the sea, the wind and the storms..."

Riker follows the ritual and catchecism as best he can.  Not hard, normally - Riker's not a stupid man - but exhaustion and sheer, screaming terror kind of get him down.

Father Mulcahey's voice rings out as he admonishes the beast within Francis's blood to leave.

[Father Mulcahey]: "Hear me and fear, demon! Devil! Enemy of mankind! Source of Death! Robber of Life! Twister of Justice! Root of Evil! Traitor of Nations! Why do you stay and resist, when you know the Lord has destroyed your plan?"

[Francis]: "Nnnggaaaahhhh!"

[CM]: The skin on Francis' face begins to ripple, as though something beneath is looking for a way out.

[Father Mulcahey]: "Hold him Riker!"

[CM]: Blood begins to seep from Francis's eyes and ears.

[Father Mulcahey]: "I enjoin you under penalty, Ancient Serpent! In the name of the Judge of the Living and the Dead. In the
name of the creator of the World! Depart from Francis, this servant of God, who is under the Lord's protection! God commands you! The Lord above commands you! The faith of the saints commands you! The blood of Martyrs commands you! Get out, Offender! Get out, Seducer! Get out, Enemy of Virtue! "

Riker leans forward, using weight and muscle to hold Francis down.

Francis struggles feebly.

[CM]: Francis's face seems to shift, becoming longer, bestial...

Riker whispers, "Spit that ugly fucker out Francis. You're the Man. Fight it!"

Father Mulcahey reads on, his voice like a bell, demanding the evil depart, commanding it in the name of his God...

[CM]: Francis' mouth yawns open and a black tide of blood and bile spills out onto the couch. The smell is indescribable.

Riker holds Francis steady.  "You shoot split pea soup at me, man, I am never buyin' you lunch again."

(CM whispered to Francis): WPR roll please

(To CM) DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 77 ]

[CM]: Suddenly Francis roars and starts to thrash violently. STR roll Riker.

[Father Mulcahey]: "Hold him!"

Riker presses Francis down as hard as he can, getting slammed to and fro by the scholar's violent motions. "Shiii...uhh..."

        DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 77 ]

[CM]: Francis bucks up off the couch, throwing Riker aside. Suddenly he's there, impossibly floating in mid air, spitting blood and vile curses at you...

Riker jumps up, leaping for Francis, interposing himself between flying bookworm and priest...

        DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 56 ]

Riker tugs at Francis' legs.

        DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 8 ]

Father Mulcahey roars at Francis, "THE LORD COMMANDS YOU! YOUR CREATOR COMMANDS YOU! GOD ALMIGHTY COMMANDS YOU! BEGONE!"

(CM whispered to Francis): WPR roll

(To CM) DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 17 ]

[CM]: Francis screams, rancid black fluid spewing from his mouth, eyes and nose in a reeking oily gush. Then he sags, dropping down on top of Riker, limp.

Riker ducks his head against the foul torrent. "Man, this's my best leather jacket, Francis! I was in Dealy Plaza with this jacket!'

Father Mulcahey pauses, drawing breath, a thin scum covering his face.

Riker falls right down on his prat.  "Deeees-guesting!"

[CM]: Carefully, the priest splashes holy water on Francis.

[CM]: ...

[CM]: ...

[CM]: Nothing happens.

[Father Mulcahey]: <Quietly> "We've won." The priest seems to deflate, suddenly exhausted.

(CM whispered to Riker): PCN roll.

Riker releases a shaky breath.

(To CM) DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 65 ]

[Francis]: "Mnngh..."

(CM whispered to Riker): Something moves behind the couch

Riker exhaustedly pulls out the pistol.  "Padre, gimme your cross."

(CM whispered to Riker): The blood that Francis vomited up, it's moving...

Father Mulcahey passes Riker his crucifix.

Riker stands, and walks over behind the couch. "Yadda yadda yadda. So much of this shit is revoltin'." He kneels on the
couch, and dangles the cross into whatever it is he sees behind the furniture.

(CM whispered to Riker): The blood is massing, forming something solid beneath the couch. It recoils from the crucifix and
slithers out the other side...

[Riker]: "I need a lamp, a candle. Somethin' that burns. Now." Riker looks about the room, scowling.

Father Mulcahey passes Riker the poker from the fire place. The tip glows red hot.

Riker stabs the dark pool of gunk with the poker. "Shit on this, I want to go home."

[CM]: The blood squeals and tries to slither way, but it seems almost impaled by the poker.

[Father Mulcahey]: "Holy Mother of God!"

Riker scoots the nasty stuff into the fire. Burn baby burn. It tries to escape, it gets the cross treatment.

[CM]: The wriggling mass tries to coil up the poker, but the fire puts paid to that. Just as with Gustav, the blood ignites easily and burns visciously.

[Riker]: "Go t'Hell, bloodsucker. Nice an' toasty there."

[Francis]: "Depends.... on....which.....circle..."

Father Mulcahey dabs his forehead with a handkerchief. "Well, after that I could do with a drink." He frowns at the bile smeared across the handkerchief. "And a shower."

[Francis]: "Shower."

[Riker]: "Me, too. Bit of tipple, Francis?"

[Francis]: "Pint... of... blood."

[Riker]: "An' don't start on Dante with me. The Devil puked on my head, man." He looks at Mulcahey. "Beth Israel gonna ask questions, padre?"

[Father Mulcahey]: "First things first." Mulcahey wipes the crusted blood off Francis' neck using a cloth dipped in holy water...

[CM]: The wound is gone.

[Father Mulcahey]: "I don't think it'll be necessary to bother the nice people at the hospital Alan."

[Riker]: "Oh, goody. Awright...shower, then a drink. Drink then a shower. Two drinks, a shower, an' another drink."

[Father Mulcahey]: "What Francis here needs is sleep. Nothing more."

Session ends