Urban Mythos

1.5: Sleaghear’s conversation with Pong-Mai proved to be rather cheerful but disturbing at the same time, as He drove Home, He had a bit of time to mull it over. 
It seemed to Him that Madame Xao had plans to Challenge Pong for something, which meant that the Rip-Off wasn’t so Much about Sleaghear, but more about Pong-Mai giving a way something that was clearly a cultural secret to an outsider. 

Sleaghear really didn’t have the time to plunge deeply into the matter when he walked into the house (Which was spotless and immaculate, even the incense was freshened up) and saw Palea sitting stock still in the living room. She seemed to startle when Her master entered the house, and immediately went to Him, kneeling at His feet with her legs spread wide exposing her shaved labia, and shoulders back to just her breasts forward. 

“Master, you are home! Would you like me to heat up something to eat?”
Sleaghear Shook His head, “We are going to go help some one and we will eat when we are finished. Go put on a dress.” 
Palea had moved as quickly as possible, wearing the dress that she had come to her new home with. Once Sleaghear had finished primping the girl, they left to take the drive, following the directions Joel had given. It took them to the High Society neighborhood with a gate to keep the undesirables out, but also in some ways to keep the wealthy in. Palea looked with some wonder at all the houses as Sleaghear negotiated with the guard to get in. A couple of Minutes and a couple of hundred dollars later, they drove up to a house where a woman had waited for them to come. She was middle aged but beautiful, with short graying hair and a light blue dress which accentuated her body which was still in shape.

When She spotted Sleaghear stepping out of the car with Palea following behind, She Smiled, offering her hand to Him. “You must be Sleaghear De Macha, I am Lillian Haversham…”
Sleaghear Nodded shaking her hand, “Pleasure to meet you Mrs. Haversham, This is my familiar Palea…” This caused Palea to smile shyly while lowering her eyes.
Lillian smirked then: “Pleasure to meet both of you, please call Me Lillian, I assume Joel told you why you were called over here?”

Sleaghear shrugged, taking a duffle bag from the back seat. “Something about some kind of Ghost…either about needing it exorcised or appeased or something.”
Lillian Nodded while leading them in. “It started showing up a couple of years ago, and started scaring the shit out of the help. Of course my husband, being who he is, put off any kind of Magical searches until His people took a look at it. He never trusted Sorcerers for some reason…but his people turned up nothing.”

It was an opulent, well-tended hallway full of beautiful mosaic tile. The Symbols of a Red Shield and a black Microscope worked prominently on the walkway of the hall before they enter into a large parlor, Lit by a series of chandeliers. Sleaghear walked over to a large table and set His duffle bag down, Handing a few candles to Palea He motioned for her to start putting them in a circle around it He and Lillian. Finally he turned to the woman speaking. “Which brings me to my next question, knowing how your husband feels about magic, why did you then call me?”

Lillian sighed, “Much as Haversham and White Church try to stay away from superstition, I have always believed that Magic can sometimes answer questions Science could not. I used to study Magic when I was younger, but This is way out of my league, plus I read a few of your articles, very insightful. Especially your views on Chaos As a quantum response to Lawful oppression of the universe.”
Sleaghear smirked; yep he was impressed, “What did you think?” asked as He started setting up a small cauldron, filling it with coal and incense.

Lillian thought for a moment. “It was rather well researched, however you misinterpreted Murphy’s Law in a paragraph, and Misapplied it in the area of quantum physics…Keep in Mind not all Scientists are self important idiots. Your findings on Chaos implementation of Feng Shui were rather enlightening.”

Once Palea had finished placing the candles, Sleaghear started chanting and lighting them one by one forming almost a bluish circle of Light. Me finally motioned for Palea and Lillian to sit on the floor. “I set up a protection spell, so we can talk freely. Now tell me Lillian, who do you think this ghost is?” 
Lillian was cautious, “Why is that important? Aren’t you going to use some kind of spell to purge the ghost?”

Sleaghear shrugged. “Oh I have the spell, but sometimes it’s better to find out what the ghost wants and why He is here before we go about sending Him to the Outer Planes. Many times, they have unfinished business.”

“Oh…I See..” Lillian said with a strong hint of disappointment. She hoped this would be a quick exchange. No Matter, She is committed to this. “Well Sleaghear, We have three ghosts, two are fairly harmless, and have been with my family for generations. One is a Goblin Nanny named Skraagi; She comes in and checks on all the children, tells them bedtime stories, that sort of thing. She apparently worked and died in this house about three hundred years ago and does nothing more than make some shuffling noises. Rumor had it Skraagi even protected a young child from being kidnapped from the house by giving the kidnapper a heart attack. The Second is a young boy who died seventy-five years ago from the last plague. He likes to be helpful to the Maids, wash dishes, and fold towels, that sort of thing. His name is Toby, I think.”

Sleaghear caught Palea staring off into space for a moment, It seems the girl was processing the woman’s words before she gently whispers to His mind, She is Holding back Sleaghear nodded to his slave before he speaks in a soft tone: “And the third ghost, He is more recent isn’t He?”

Lillian sighs fidgeting with a Amber pendant…biting her lip before leaning back on her hands. “His name is Roland, He was my brother, He died twenty five years ago from a drug over dose, My husband and I tried taking care of Him, getting Him clean but He kept on using…it was only a matter of time…still it came as quite a blow when He died in this very room.”

Almost as soon as Lillian finished her sentence, the lights began to flicker, and the chandeliers to sway. Sleaghear looked to Palea and squeezed her hand…”Everything will be fine, both of you must stay in the Circle, No Matter what happens. Roland cannot come in the circle but I will have to step outside if it gets bad and fight Him.”

They Nod as The Sorcerer rises to His feet. “I need Roland’s Last Name Lillian.” 
“White-Church, Rolland White-Church, what are you going to do now?”
“I am going to talk to Him…and get His side of the story. Like I said, Stay in the Circle.”

As Sleaghear slowly makes His way to the edge of the circle, He wills a small opening allowing Him to step forward. The room it self Thunders and shakes causing the Lights to flicker with wild abandon. Sleaghear Looks around Finally sensing the source of the supernatural rage that then begins tossing several Items from the bookshelves.

They bounce harmlessly off the sanctuary spell that protects Lillian and Palea while Sleaghear dodges some of the larger objects. Finally stopping to begin chanting and gathering balls of wildly scintillating colors of black and red. Then He sends it forward in a ball flickering with energy as it soars through the air landing on the epicenter of the ghost, Holding Him still…”Roland White-Church, I compel you to appear and speak…”

Within Moments a Shape appears in the shadows, Longhaired and lanky, a young man that has seen far better days stands, His eyes seething with rage. Lillian gasped when She saw Him…and could not help but speak his name. “Oh dear Rolland…”

The Spirit first turns to Sleaghear then to Lillian and begins to Hiss bearing teeth that had not known a dentist’s chair in quite some time. “You…bitch, now you feel sorry for me? It was you that made me like this…”

Sleaghear calmly waves His hand to get Roland’s attention. “Hello? Not to be a nuisance, but you are supposed to be talking to me, remember? Okay Roland, Out with it, why are you still here?”
Roland turned to the sorcerer and snarled with contempt; His hollowed eyes are blazing with rage before the spell weaves its way into the Ghost’s Mind compelling Him to answer. “Revenge. Revenge on the bitch who killed me…my own sister.” 

The words pierced into Lillian’s heart, she rose sharply with streams of tears now welling up. “Roland I did everything to help you…the best programs, the best rehabs, anything you needed I got for you. Why would I want to kill you? I even let you shoot up in my own house as long as Avrom didn’t find out.”
“You waited till I was asleep,” Roland Snarled “stuck the needle in my arm…made sure it was just enough to kill me. Do you deny that yours was the last face I saw?”
“I found you while you were dying. I did everything I could to save you, Roland. You were the only family I had…I couldn’t kill you, you know that.”
Sleaghear approached the ghost calmly, “Perhaps you are not remembering right Roland, did you talk to anyone before you took a nap?”
Roland’s eyes seem to search within, for a moment then He spoke in a hushed voice. “Avrom…He and I spoke for a couple of minutes, He said that He was going to help me kick the habit once and for all.”

Sleaghear looked to Lillian, who was shocked at Roland’s words, and the conclusion that was to be made. She shook her head…”Avrom wouldn’t do such a thing…he had no reason to…”
It took a few seconds for some shuffling steps to finally make their way down the hall. Finally a smallish female shape appears, a haggard looking crone with pale green skin, and a handkerchief on Her head. When Sleaghear turned the smaller spirit wrung her hands together while nodding. “Scyoose me Sah, dint mean ta Innerupt. But Ah saw whut happened.” Lillian stared in disbelief as the Small spirit looked to the Sorcerer, Muttering, “Skraagi Her name is Skraagi” 

Sleaghear motioned for the female spirit to come forward “Tell Us what happened. What did you see?”
Skraagi looked a moment towards Roland before she starts her story. “Well, Sah, Ah wuz looking aftah the young sir, since hims wuz so sick. Ah had gone ta git Hims some blankits when Iis cames back and saws the Suh who Maam’s Married tas…standing ovah the young Sah putting some kinda needle inta Hims arm. Ahs thought Hims givin young Sah some medicine, y’know ta makes Hims better…but..next thing Ah knew, young Sah started heaving all weird like. Maam had heard the awful ruckus…an Did do some weird spell thing on Hims chest, but it wuz too late, young Sah was dead..and So angry dhat Ah couldn’t talk to Hims proper.” Skraagi turned to Lillian with an apologetic gase in the hallow sockets of her eyes. “Ah am so sorry Maam…Young Sah…I dint knows…”
Lillian smiled at the woman, wiping a tear from her eyes, now she knew the truth. “It’s Okay Skraagi, No one is mad at you. Are you Sure it was my Husband? Do you know if he threw the needle away?”
Skraagi nodded. “Ah’z Sure Maam, Ah’d Knowed Hims any old wheres. Big Sah Put needle with some box ovah by dhem books Hims always reading.” The Spirit points to a small bookshelf where Sleaghear walks towards, and points to a small box. “Is this it Skraagi?”

Skraagi nods. “Yessuh, dats de wun. Hims some times looks in dhe box when Hims upset or sumpin…”
Roland Sneers for a moment before turning to Lillian. “That bastard, Oh Lil…I am sorry. Forgiveness?”
Lillian Nods. “Yes Roland, my only demand is you let me handle Roland…Killing Him would only let Him get off easy. Promise Me you will let me handle it?”
Roland thinks a moment and then He reluctantly nods. “I promise, but are you sure you can Handle Him?”
Skraagi gently slips to Roland’s Side and touches His shoulder. “Ah will pertect Maam, Little Suh. Ah thinking Is time fer ya ta get yer rest, Yoos been tired fer a long time. Mistah Hokum Werker?”
Sleaghear turned to Skraagi again: “Yes Skraagi, Why not take him where He can get some rest? I believe he is done for Now. I release the Geas upon Him.” 
Skraagi Nods as the two spirits change into a pair of Small spheres of light and zip upstairs to the bedrooms.

Once Sleaghear is certain they have left, He slowly begins to snuff out the candles of the sanctuary spell, and tells Palea to collect the candles. As the girl does so he walks over to Lillian placing his arms around her. She leans into the hug and smiles up at Him. “Thank you Sleaghear, I am grateful for your help.”
The Sorcerer shrugs, “So what Now? I mean about you and Avrom?”
Lillian sighs continuing to lean into Sleaghear’s body before She pulls away. “I am going to make a call to My Lawyer, then to the police, by the time I am done Avrom is not going to have time to regret what He did.”

Sleaghear chuckles for a moment before He moves back to Palea, watching her put the ritual tools away. “I guess you have things handled here, would you mind signing my time sheet? And Here is my card incase you feel like going out somewhere after the divorce is final.”
Lillian grins,” well we could celebrate now if you like…”
“Sorry I promised I wouldn’t sleep with you while you were a client.”

1.6 When Sleaghear arrived at Joel’s office, He was a bit annoyed. He had started fielding questions not only from Avrom’s Attorneys but also the press who were rather persistent. Waving The Sorcerer and Palea into the office Joel glared with deep anger towards Sleaghear who just sits in His seat while Palea stands behind him. 
Joel finally managed to hang up and rub His temples. “Shlay, I asked you to do ONE favor, just one…a simple Ghost grab and go. What the fuck did you do?”
“I had a chat with Him and it turned out Avrom Supposedly killed him. The Other Ghost in the house confirmed it. I wasn’t out to make things complicated.”
“Do you have any idea just how IMPORTANT Avrom is?” Joel’s face slowly starts to turn Purple with the suppressed anger that seems to be leaking out. “The Man is only the head of the Leading Scientific Research laboratory in the nine Realms and you just happened to find evidence that will, with any kind of luck, either put him away for life or get him killed? Moses’ Left Nut Sleaghear, why did you have to talk to that damned Ghost?”

“You know how I work Joel, This was one of those cases where it required finding out what the ghost wanted…and the Ghost wanted Justice...and the ghost was right…Didn’t the same thing happen to your aunt Greta? “
“That was different, the Killer was a Serial Maniac, this time it’s one of the most important people In this City. Please tell me you had the good sense to not sleep with His wife…”
Sleaghear was starting to get annoyed; “Gee Joel, I am so fucking stupid, I mean I told you I wasn’t going to sleep with her. So No I didn’t; not that She didn’t Offer, but I politely turned her down. Isn’t that right Palea?”

Palea nods, of course she didn’t know why she should say so but She was responding with the truth. “Yes Master, you did refuse.”
Joel sighed with relief: “Look I’m sorry, but this is really a pain in the ass for us, legally. We have our lawyers scrambling like mad to make sure this cant get back at us.”
Sleaghear reaches over taking a cigar from Joel’s Desk and waits for Palea to light it up. Taking a few quick puffs, “And the verdict is?”
“Since it’s an ongoing investigation and since the evidence was gained from our work we are going to turn over all our scrying notes and testimony from you and Lillian, we may need to have Palea testify. Will that be a problem?”

Looking at Palea for a moment Sleaghear shrugs: “ It shouldn’t be but I will need to be there…I am responsible for her.”
Joel sighs and Lights up His own cigar. The office filling with the savory sweet stench of dried tobacco, “Fine…Of course Lillian cant stop raving about you…I just needed to make sure you didn’t…”
“Schtoop Her? She’s married Joel, I do have my standards…not that many Mind you, but they do exist.”

Joel laughed before shaking his head and smiling to Palea, “Hello Palea, My name is Joel, I’m sorry for being so rude.”
Palea looks at Joel blankly for a moment before bowing her head, “Hello Joel, and it is…alright.”
“Alright you two, I have phone calls to Make and answer…go home and get some rest.”