Waiting to Die

This can only end badly, but they get in the car anyways.

Astarte got in the car as quickly as possible.

Stefan fared poorly.

*As the average car is only 5 seats, they're now quite stuffed in. I'll assume Tirea is in front, since she got in 1st, then Eve in the left back seat with Astarte climbing on top of her, Taiyo in the middle with Thiera climbing on her, & Azuma on the right. Lilith shrieks as the Shadow grabs her, her backpack opening & spilling out several of its contents, but manages to climb on top of Azuma just as Dr. Schreiber guns it. She slams the door, glaring angrily at the professor. In the rear view, they can see her furrowed brow & also the faint outline of the Shadow getting smaller as they move, yellow eyes opening in the darkness to stare after them.*

L"You were going to leave me behind!"

Dr. Schreiber<Or perhaps I knew you would make it at the last second. Besides, would you prefer I stayed, waiting for the Shadow to take everyone else?>

*Though she says "everyone," she reaches up & adjusts the mirror so Thiera's reflection is in view. Or at least the back of her head, as she's busy staring at the floor.*
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*Indeed he did, though more active participation is preferred. Ira then began sewing his abdomen back together.*

R"Now then. Perhaps you'd like to tell me where the other kiddies plan on going?"

*Tirea curls into a ball on the seat. Eve tries to move into a non-awkward position*

Eve:<So, what happened to you after we last saw you?>

Astarte sat awkwardly under Eve, despite her best efforts.

Stefan was shocked and pained beyond words at this point.

OOC: As Taiyo & Azuma apparently have no reaction to being sat on by an attractive blond & redhead, respectively....

Schreiber<Well, when we tried & failed to contact you, we assumed you were taken by the Shadow. We planned to investigate Ira's house, but on the way we were attacked by the white beast. That's when we ran inside & you stole, then lost, our only means of defense against the Shadow. So now we're going back to the labs, where I can at least irradiate a nail gun. Then we'll have to make a run for it. I guarantee that you are going to be the prime suspects for whatever bodies turn up on the Arelaz estate.>
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*Ira takes a break to slap him in the face.*

R"Hey! Answer me when I ask you a question!"

Eve:<We're...very sorry about your gun. I know that doesn't really mean anything...>

*Eve stares at the back of the seat to prevent herself from looking at Thiera as she speaks*

"Where are we meant to run to?"

Stefan screamed.

<France would seem the most logical. But like I said, first we have to make a few stops. Be on your guard.>

*She pulls up to a parking deck on the north end of campus, using her ID to unlock the gate thing. There aren't many cars in there at this time of night, so she parks just inside.*
=========================
*He slaps him again.*

"That's not what I asked, idiot!"

*Eve checks her phone, then shivers*

<I don't fancy the idea of going back through the Black Forest...but if you think that's the best route to take...>

"Of course it isn't."

Stefan screamed on.

<Would you prefer to trek all the way across the country? On the run from both the law & the supernatural?>

*She gets out of the car, flicking on a pen flashlight & shining the beam around. Of course, wouldn't you guess that the Shadow is standing behind a van near the back of the lot. Dr. Schreiber digs in her coat & holds up a crudely carved, silvery crucifix, clear for everyone & everything to see.*

<One of the originals, recovered from the excavation of a burial mound. The monster knows I have this, but it will be watching for any signs that it can sneak up on me, or any stragglers that it can pick off. And the other beast will not be affected, wherever it is surely lurking. Consider yourselves warned.>

*At this, Thiera & Lilith hastily disembark in the driver's side direction, trying to get as close to Dr. Schreiber as possible.*
==========================
*Ira can afford to keep doing this until the idiot screams himself hoarse.*

"I can handle it from here, & my other descendant should be with the cops now. Go see to the needs of our dark & mysterious friend."

*The white beast moves away, disappearing so quickly & making so little noise that he might've just been some dust caught in a breeze.*

Azuma: "Is that one of a kind and you feel like gloating about it or do you intend on providing all of us with something to keep it away?"

"Of course she doesn't."

Stefan began loudly dry-heaving.

*Tirea gets out of the car, then stands as close to Schreiber as possible. Eve gets out and walks over to stand near Lilith and Thiera. She turns on her flashlight and shines it around*

Eve:<Let's not start this now.>

<If you think it's so easy to find relics stolen from medieval burial sites, feel free to look for yourselves. And if you want to stay in the car & fend for yourselves, feel free to do that too. I'm leaving either way.>

*She starts heading around the car, followed closely by Lilith & Thiera.*

L"Hey, where's Vanessa?"

<I don't know, I didn't encounter her on the road. I haven't had time to check the list, for all I know, she may already be gone.>
==============================
*Ira finishes stitching up Stefan's stomach, humming a jaunty tune. Then he begins digging around in the tool box.*

"Now, I think we oughta start with pliers. What about you?"

*Eve and Tirea follow close behind as well, both silent. Eve continues to look around with her flashlight*

Astarte followed them.

Stefan was about as responsive as he would ever be.

Nothing to do but follow.

*As they walk along, sometimes Eve spots the Shadow behind a tree or bush, sometimes close by, other times far off in the distance, other times nothing at all. When they reach the building, they hear a whoosh as a white shape lands on the roof.*

Schreiber<We'd best hurry.>

*She tries swiping her ID, but it does nothing.*

Schreiber<Of course. This shtick again.>

*So she proceeds to pick the lock manually. After it clicks, she leads them inside, to a T-shaped hallway full of doors. Lilith tries the lights, but they don't work.*

Schreiber<It's interfering with the electrical systems. This happens sometimes. Looks like we'll have to take the stairs down to the basement.>

Th"But how will you be able to use the equipment like that?"

Schreiber<I won't, I'll have to use something already made.>
===============================
*Stefan receives the worst purple nurple of his 2nd, incredibly short life.*

Eve:<It's a good thing you have something already made.>

*She and Tirea stick close to her as they presumably head down the stairs, Eve continuing to look around with her flashlight*

Astarte waits to suffer the next calamity while trying to stay near the human shields others.

Stefan suffered some weird shit.

*Supposing I'm polite & assume the Canadia Brigade stays close to the others, as they're walking down the stairs, they can hear a door open above & a whooshing sound. As Eve is shining her flashlight at everything, she can see the white monster hovering down the staircase, flapping its wings, the light glinting off of its enormous eyes. Dr. Schreiber wisely orders them to run & starts taking the stairs 2 at a time, keeping a hand near the railing out of genre savvyness.*
=============================
*Ira plops the pliers back into the toolbox.*

R"Perhaps I'm going about this the wrong way. Sure, I don't know where your friends are going for sure, but I have some other leads. I can pay a visit to the priest, or their parents...or yours. I think they'd love to meet me, how 'bout you?"

*Eve and Tirea don't need to be told twice, both heading down the stairs as fast as they can while remaining safe/close to the doctor*

Astarte took off down the stairs, probably hitting anybody who was slow to move.

Stefan was catatonic.