Shadows in the Smoke S1E38 - "Mistakes Do Not Define Us"

Shadows in the Smoke S1E38 – “Mistakes Do Not Define Us”

Kim
Shadows in the Smoke is intended for mature audiences and may contain material that some people find disturbing. Please see the episode description for content warnings, and listen with care.

[Shadows in the Smoke theme]

Kim
Good morning, hunters. Before I truly begin the Day Phase, for indeed there is much to discuss, I’d like to begin with a bit of out-of-character bookkeeping, namely concerning the custom moves that were chosen by Miss Douglas and Miss Thanero at the end of the last episode. Now Cass, you and I have been talking, and you’ve decided to do something a little different with your custom move. You’re holding off on it for right now, is that true?

Cassandra
Yes, I am. I am trying to wait to see how a few things play out, and how that might impact Ena as a person. And just… Wanna wait and see what unfolds, before I commit to a new move.

Kim
Which is totally valid and perfectly encouraged by the materials. Taking the advancement just means that a custom move is on the table, but a custom move is a really important thing. It represents a major story beat for your character, or a layer to the playbook that you’d specifically like to focus on. So it’s totally valid if you wanna hold off on it right now, and see when it feels like the time is right to come up with and unveil that move.

Miss Douglas, we did work on a custom move for you, but I believe we’re going to see it in play later today?

Natalia
Yes, you’ll get it with some context, and it’ll be great.

Kim
Fantastic. Let’s proceed into the day. At the top of the Day Phase, if there are fewer than three actives Threats, I introduce a brand new one. Today is a little unique, considering both Mr. Lloyd and Mr. Hutchinson invoked their playbook-specific Threats. So I do not have just one Threat to introduce, but two.

Natalia
Yay…

Cassandra
Oh, good.

Natalia
[Laughs]

T.
We’re overachievers.

Natalia
Oh, for sure.

Kim
The first Threat is called The Pinkerton.

[Slow, jangly piano]

Kim
A man named Winslow Taggard called on Hargrave House, looking for The American. Mr. Hutchinson was out at the time, and so Mr. Taggard said he would try again later. A cursory inquiry reveals that Mr. Taggard works for the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, and that he has been hired to bring Mr. Hutchinson back to the United States. He’s staying at the Langham Hotel on the West End.

Mr. Hutchinson, a question for you. You know Taggard by reputation: ruthless and corrupt. What criminal scheme was he known to be involved in back home?

T.
This is a real thing the Pinkertons did. But they were hired to stop a bunch of train robberies, and the way they were going to find out who had been committing them was by leaving marked parcels, and then when the robbers took them, they would find the parcels and be like, “Hey, you took this from the train. You’re under arrest.” But that wasn’t yielding any results, so instead the Pinkerton agency left them with a bunch of innocent people to be like, “Hey, hold onto these goods for us.” And then raided their houses and was like, “It’s you!” And so like completely planted evidence and then framed them. And Taggard was among that company.

Kim
Oh, dear.

T.
They did a bunch of bad stuff, man. They’re awful.

Kim
They are. And Mr. Hutchinson, you know that Taggard would not come all the way to London just to collect a bounty. If you can figure out what shady angle he’s working on the side, you might be able to confront him with it and pressure him to give up on the bounty, rather than risk being exposed to his employers. So this is an interesting Threat, in that this is the only way one can deal with Winslow Taggard. You can’t buy him off, you can’t kill him, you can only basically blackmail him and get him to leave.

The Pinkerton has one single Question associated with it, which is, “What unsavory scheme is Taggard pursuing while he is in London?” It is a Complexity 4. And you resolve that Threat by confronting Taggard with his shady dealings, and convincing him to leave London. This is also when I tell you that after 5 Night Phases, Taggard becomes the servant of the Mastermind, and the Threat can no longer be resolved.

Cassandra
Not this again!

Natalia
Stop that!

Cassandra
Not these timers!

Kim
The next Threat…

T.
[Laughs]

Cassandra
Good lord…

Kim
The next Threat is called The Coven.

[Dark, detuned cellos]

Kim
The Coven has arrived in London. They are here in the guise of a group performing seances and using spirit photography, calling itself the Royal Society for Esoteric Research. But you know the truth. They are very evil, very powerful, and very dangerous. Mr. Lloyd, you know the only reason the Coven would be in London is if they were close to finishing their grand ritual. What will this grand ritual do when complete, and why must Hargrave House put a stop to it?

Robert
Well, we might get a little more into some of the specifics of it when we see a few more Masks of the Past. But basically the long and short of it is this ritual will kill Rabbit, or put him in a state worse than death, and use that act to drain magic from faerie, and grant it to some very evil men.

Kim
Hargrave House, you do not know where the Coven is, but you do know where they’ve been: the homes of several prominent members of society, where they were guests before performing seances and tarot card readings at the homeowners’ fetes. Those addresses are 14 Brompton Road, 6 Boscobel Place, and the Rutland Gardens Estate.

There is one single question for The Coven. That being, “Where and when will the final step of the Ritual take place?” It is a Complexity 6. And you resolve the threat by stopping the ritual, and/or destroying the Coven.

If Hargrave House does not resolve the Threat within 6 Night Phases, the Coven completes their terrible ritual, and the Threat can no longer be resolved.

Natalia
So I know what I’m tackling immediately.

T.
Yeah, we’re not gonna let that happen.

Cassandra
This is stressful…

Kim
I’m not done.

Natalia
There’s too many things, Kim!

Cassandra
Oh, my god. Excuse me, I need a cigarette. [Laughs]

Kim
First, a weather report.

[Thunder and rain]

Kim
It has been raining in London. Which is not unusual – London is an exceedingly rainy place. But the duration and the intensity of the rain is of note. The Thames is roiling, threatening to overflow. Poor Merricat Ovelia has taken to propping up sand bags against the doors of Hargrave House, lest the Thames overflow and your house is flooded. Now, you know of a particular vampire of whom this is a particularly special gift. I’m sure that here is no correlation between those two events. But it is something to keep in mind as we proceed through the campaign.

And finally, there is a new article in the local gossip pages that might be of note…

[Prim string quartet]

Kim
[ala Lady Whistledown] My dearest and most observant readers,

It is with no small degree of breathless intrigue that I report the latest triumph in the ever-glittering reign of Mrs. Theodora Brathwaite – she of incomparable fortune, unrivaled taste, and that enviable knack for arranging the most dazzling assemblies. As ever, the doyenne of Brathwaite Hall has contrived to outshine even her own lofty standards, which, as we all know, are already the envy of every hostess from Somerset to Surrey.

Brathwaite Hall, the jewel of the countryside, has positively shimmered these past nights, for Mrs. Brathwaite has welcomed onto her gracious grounds a trio of visiting dignitaries whose titles alone could make a poet sigh: The Crimson Gentleman, The Ebon Marquis, and The Ashen Duke. Their true names remain shrouded beneath the elegance of foreign custom, though their presence has set every drawing room abuzz.

The Crimson Gentleman, tall and pale as a winter sunrise, is said to possess a manner so courtly that several young ladies reportedly forgot their own names when introduced. The Ebon Marquis possesses a gravity of bearing that suggests a lineage steeped in ancient ceremony; indeed, one countess declared she felt as though she were in the presence of a figure from legend. As for the Ashen Duke, his cool reserve and curious habits have stirred whispers – some wonder if the customs of his homeland forbid him from appearing before noon, for indeed he has yet to be glimpsed in the morning hours.

Mrs. Brathwaite, for her part, has proven the perfect guide and guardian of her distinguished guests. Clad last evening in a gown of sapphire silk, she moved among her company with the serene composure of a queen in her court, guiding her mysterious guests through the lantern-lit rose gardens. The group was observed strolling well past midnight – an unconventional hour, yet one Mrs. Brathwaite seems increasingly fond of, as though darkness itself were becoming her favored backdrop.

What, then, shall come of this curious convergence? While speculation abounds – ranging from new trade alliances to the possibility of a grand cultural exhibition – I submit one final thought for your amusement: Should Mrs. Brathwaite continue hosting guests of such nocturnal inclination, we may soon find that ours is the country where soirées begin at sundown and conclude only when the stars grow weary.

And truly, my dearest readers, would that not be the most deliciously fashionable development of all?

Natalia
Yay, bunch of vampires!

Cassandra
I love a night rave, are you kidding me?

T.
I feel like I need a signature color. Everyone else is walking around here with cool color titles. I wanna get me one of them.

Natalia
We all show up to the final thing, like, dressed like the Power Rangers.

Kim and Robert
[Laugh]

Cassandra
I like that.

T.
I mean if it gets us a Megazord, that might be the only way to defeat this woman.

Kim
So, yes. Much is happening, hunters. I’d say about a week or two has passed since the last time we checked in on the hunters of Hargrave House. And the Coven and the Pinkerton join your slew of active Threats, that being the Whateley Camera and Figgs’ Piggs. There’s a lot on your plate right now.

Cassandra
I’m literally so tired.

Natalia
[Laughs]

Kim
But first, a bit of breakfast perhaps? Or are our hunters still keeping their distance?

T.
Let’s break fast.

Kim
Alright, then.

T.
Also, we’ve got a lot on our plate today. We need to fuel up.

Natalia
[Laughs]

Cassandra
Yeah, right?

Kim
You do. And there is potentially much to discuss.

[Rain, the crackle of a fire]

Cassandra
Ena is already at the breakfast table. She has a cup of coffee in a nice cup. She is working on a new embroidery piece. And has that gossip column sat next to her. She’s already read it. And she’s just sewing and sipping her coffee, very peacefully. She’s not in a rush this morning.

T.
Hutchinson is usually among the first down for breakfast, but today he is still in his room, fingering this letter and debating about whether or not to share it with his fellow hunters. Finaly resolved, puts it on his bed, goes toa trunk that he keeps at the foot of it. Unclasps it, and takes out a false bottom, below which is a small bundle of cloth. And he unravels that, and pulls out an 1851 Navy Colt revolver, with the word “Persecution” etched into the barrel. Puts it into a holster under his jacket, and makes his way downstairs for breakfast.

Natalia
Maesie swoops in and just takes a seat next to Ena. She’s not really in a talking mood, but just wants company.

Cassandra
Ena takes note of this. Doesn’t say anything, but just reaches over and gives her a very light pat on the shoulder.

Natalia
Maesie leans her head over, touches your shoulder with her head.

Cassandra
Aww. Yeah, and I think they just sit there. Ena has patience aplenty, and if Maesie decides she wants to talk, she will. Otherwise they just sit in a nice, amicable silence, in this little picture.

Natalia
Maesie starts reading the gossip column, just next to you.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Morning, ladies.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Morning.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Good morning, Beau. How are you?

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
I’ve been better. Truth told, I’ve got some unfortunate news. Seems like something I’ve gotta deal with. And I know we already have plenty to deal with.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Well…

Cassandra
She picks up her coffee cup and hands it to him.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Get me a refill, will you? If I’m going to hear more bad news, I need a full, fresh cup.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
As you wish.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I know you hate this question, but do you want help?

T.
Hutchinson takes the tureen of coffee, turns around and looks at her.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
I would be honored.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Good.

T.
And fills Ena’s cup.

Robert
Rabbit comes down at this moment, enjoying the somewhat peaceful breakfast, despite all the tension that’s going on outside the house. Grabs himself a scone and a cup of tea, and joins the others at the breakfast table.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Been a spell since we’ve all been in the same room.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Feels nice.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
There has been rather a lot going on, so I can understand that everyone’s been off on their own exploits, if you will.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
It does seem some times like the world is trying to pull us apart.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Well that’s the nice thing about a storm, right? Forces you indoors.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
It’s honestly really nice to go swimming in the rain, but it’s a bit much.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Careful there, young lady. You’ll catch your death out there.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I’m going to catch my somewhere. This place is madness.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Not for a good long while, you ain’t.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Well I’d say we better start tending to these problems we have, or death might be on our doorstep rather shortly.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
We gonna talk about the elephant in the room?

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Which elephant? I believe there are several.

T.
Hutchinson turns to Mr. Lloyd.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Packing up?

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Not of my own accord, but yes. My time is coming to an end. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone for, but probably only a few months left here.

Natalia
At this, Maesie pulls away. Goes to like stare out a window, wash some dishes. Does not want to hear this.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Can’t say I blame ya. Spent my whole life moving. Sometimes I feel like if I stop, I’ll die.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
In this instance, I’m afraid if I break my promise, someone else will die possibly.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
There’s honor in that. I can offer you a bit of advice, from an old hand?

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Gladly.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
I’ve come to terms with what it is you’re capable of doing, and I’m calling myself impressed. But you always have such a goddamn English way about you. You’re reserved and pent up, and it ain’t natural. This whole country’s shoving civilization down everybody’s throat, and all it’s doing is pruning nature. Nature has a way of going feral if it’s kept bottled up too long. Un-stopper the bottle, before you head out of town. Leave your mark on this island.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Well I suppose if I’m taking that advice from anyone, you’re probably the right one to take it from.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Just my two cents. Er, two pence.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Well Rabbit, is there anything that we can do to aid you before you leave us?

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I don’t know about that. But I think we should probably have a talk about our friend in blue. I’ve learned a few things recently. From the breath of information I’ve learned, what she’s been involve din, I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s learned a thing or two about her.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Oh I certainly have, and I can tell you I do not like what I have seen.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Remember the, um, mutilations that were happening over at the ballet? I don’t know exactly what her hand in that was, but she was definitely involved.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Seems like every time something’s come up that we’ve had to handle, the road points back to her. She bought KiIburn Priory. She gave us the finger – I mean, delivered the actual finger of one of the girls who was a victim of Sally No-Face. Her daughter took a particular interest in Cremorne Gardens as well, where that creature – where Merlin – first started showing up. If you ask me, I think she’s a puppet master, pulling the strings of all these strange and unusual happenings.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
And if the signs are to be believed, she’s searching for something.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
I believe I know what that is, having had a spot of tea with her recently. I believe that she is looking for a way to extend her own life, and maybe that of her children, indefinitely.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
There’s one method, it seems she’s entertaining. Can’t tell me with monikers like that and reputations for the kinds of soirees they attend, that those tree gentlemen aren’t vampire.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
It has been a while since our friend the Lurker has shown his face anywhere.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
We’ve got a lot on our plate right now. Some if it…

T.
I look at Lloyd.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Personal. But if you wanna kill a snake, you cut off the head. Once we handle our business, I think it’s time we take the fight to Brathwaite hall.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Unless the stars have other plans for me, my personal business should not stop me from dealing with Miss Brathwaite.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
God willing and the Thames don’t rise, mine won’t stop me either. Although keeps raining cats and dogs like this, I’m not sure how much time we got left with that particular moniker.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Seeing as I’ve quit the ballet, I don’t really have much going on at the time. So I’m happy to help with anyone else’s issues, I suppose.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Well, mine should be of a fairly simple nature. I knew when I started bandying about my real name, I ran the risk of drawing attention to myself. My folks back home have hired a man to take me there, willingly or no. However I know this individual: Winslow Taggard. Scum of the bottom of my boot. And he wouldn’t have made the trek if there weren’t something else for him to gain. All I gotta do is find out what that is, he’ll go running home without a peep.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Well if you’ve got no other plans today, Maesie, we could work a bit more on your lessons.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Yeah. Yeah, no. I’d love that.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Miss Thanero?

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Well obviously we can’t have you being whisked back off to the states, seeing as I have some rather specific plans for you. So… I would be happy to lend a hand in finding out where this Mr. Taggard is doing his business.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
What specific plans do you have?

Cassandra
Ena just kind of smiles to herself and gives Maesie a conspiratorial wink.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
We’ll tell you when you’re older.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Ena!

Cassandra
[Laughs]

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
You have to tell me now!

Cassandra
Ena takes in Maesie’s very dramatic response to this, and instead of answering her, just reaches over and takes one of Mr. John’s hands and kind of just like fiddles with it a little bit, but is looking at Maesie the whole time.

Natalia
Maesie’s doing what I’m doing right now! It’s just not words, it’s just hand movements! And no words!

Cassandra
Ena gives Augustus’ hands a little squeeze, and then just kind of chuckles, but is still just looking at Maesie – absolutely enjoying the rise that she is getting out of Maesie from this.

Natalia
Oh, goodness. Maesie does calm down a little bit, and makes pointed eye contact with Mr. Hutchinson.

T.
Eyes widen, ever so slightly.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Well, now that we’ve addressed all the elephants we need to…

Natalia
[Laughs]

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
It’s a right circus in here.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Hannibal crossing the alps.

T.
Hutchinson screws up his eyebrows and looks at Rabbit.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
We’re trying to keep business focused on London, while we may.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
What’s a Hannibal?

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Don’t worry about it. It’s another tale for another time.

Kim
So, how shall we begin our Day Phase. Where’s everyone off to today?

Natalia
Maesie is going to look around this room, at all of these people that she loves that are slowly changing and going places that she can’t follow.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Um, before everyone leaves and, um, we’re not all together in the house anymore… Would anyone like to have a dance party with me? Please?

T.
Hutchinson kind of screws up his face, like, of all… we just talked about all the things that we have to do right now. But then glances over at Ena. Looks at Maesie.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
I’d love nothing more.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I still need to teach you more steps before you leave. You’re still atrocious at dancing, so… It’s more a lesson than it is a party.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Well then, we can’t have me going into high society with this one and embarrassing myself. You’re absolutely right. This is of the utmost importance.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
And really, Ena, you need to be there to supervise so it’s appropriate for your needs.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Careful what you wish for.

Cassandra
Ena sets her embroidery down and gets up, and walks over to Maesie, and kind of just stands behind her at the window and just rubs her arms in answer, instead of saying anything. That’s her yes.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
And Rabbit, I’ve never seen you dance. So I need to see that before you go.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
It’s been a few years, but I think I still remember most of the steps.

Kim
So it sounds like we’re doing a group vulnerable scene.

Natalia
Yes.

T.
Yeah.

Robert
Yeah.

Cassandra
I think it’s sweet.

Kim
I think it’s very sweet, in this, the calm before the storm.

Natalia
It’s gonna be the only, like, nice little thing we get to do.

Cassandra
Yeah, we’re about to be stretched incredibly thin.

Kim
Very possibly.

Natalia
And it’s a good time to clear Conditions for everyone.

Kim
Absolutely. I will remind you that as many hunters as would like to can participate in a Vulnerable Scene, you can just only do one per phase. So this is the Vulnerable Scene for all of you this Day Phase. During this Vulnerable Scene, the hunter whose vice is in play can speak feely about their past, should they choose to.

Let’s go to the ballroom, shall we?

Cassandra
I love that, let’s go.

[A soft string quartet]

Robert
I really like the idea of the instruments themselves just sitting on chairs and playing themselves.

Kim
I love that.

Robert
That feels appropriately spooky.

Natalia
Especially with this room being so touched by fae magic.

Kim
Absolutely. I love that. That’s some proper haunted mansion stuff.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
I didn’t even know we had a ballroom.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Oh! You weren’t here the day we came in here. Right. And Rabbit gave us this whole really long story… And that’s when Merricat came!

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Yeah. I was otherwise indisposed back then. But I’ve learned my lesson. And…

T.
Holds up his hands in waltzing position.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
It’s not the only lesson I’ve learned.

Natalia
If Ena does not jump in there, Maesie jumps in there.

Cassandra
I’m not jumping in there! It’s not my lesson!

Natalia
Delightful. Yeah. Maesie takes your hand and starts leading you, but not, like – is following, but is teaching you to lead by following, if that makes sense.

T.
Yeah, for sure.

Robert
Rabbit proffers his elbow to Ena.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Shall we?

Cassandra
Ena takes it.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Of course.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
So, have you, um… Spoken to Ena yet?

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Yes, of course. About lots of things.

Natalia
Maesie just stares.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Damn you and them harpoon eyes, girl. I don’t know that I can. It’s been so long since we’ve been operating as we have… There’s not a natural way to bring it up.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
You have to tell her.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
What am I supposed to say?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Anything is better than just turning into it in front of her and asking for help.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Oh, you mean about that.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
What on earth do you think I am talking about?

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Doesn’t matter. I don’t know how to… I mean you, you saw me. I nearly killed you. I would have, given half the chance.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I can take care of myself.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
And she can too. It’s not that I’m worried about. Seeing me like that, you don’t think it would change her opinion of me? Who could love a monster like that?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Do you see me standing here?

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
You’re different.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
[Scoffs]

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
You also go through the change. With Ena…

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Is she always the same?

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
She’s never the same.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I think that’s your answer.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
I would it were that simple, girl.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
You make things too complicated.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Well I got a lotta different pieces of me, fighting with one another. It’s hard to know which head I should follow.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
If you’re already fighting with yourself, there’s no need to fight everyone else. Let us help you. Let us be there for you.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
You’re young.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
You’re old.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
You ain’t be through the things I’ve been.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
No, I’ve been through my own things. Also, I just keep wanting to call you John and I don’t have… What can I call you? Because Augustus Hutchinson is way too long.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
You can call me Hutch if you want.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Alright. Hutch? You need to talk to her, and you need to do it soon. If not now.

Natalia
And Maesie spins him out and like shoves him at Ena.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
[Coughs] Damn it.

Kim
While that’s happening…

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I hate to bring up business while we’re in the middle such a pleasurable moment, but… The Sculptor is not quite finished being dealt with, yet. Unfortunately, before we see the last of him, I’m afraid there’s going to be a bit more bloodshed. I didn’t want to bring this up in front of the others because, well, Hutchinson seems to have enough on his plate, and doesn’t exactly seem up Maesie’s street… But, I know you’re no stranger to taking the lives that need to be taken.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
No, I certainly am not. Do tell what is required to keep our friend’s hands busy with this work?

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Materials.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Hmm.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I don’t think it’ll need to be forever. In fact, I can see a future where he himself ends up on the wrong side of a knife. But for the time being, I’ve promised to get him a few people to have his way with.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
I think I can be of some assistance there. When is the next offering required?

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
As far as I’m aware, he’s still playing with the last toy I gave him. But I’m sure he’d appreciate a new delivery soon.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
I think we’ve got some delightful options to appease him with.

Natalia
I feel like at this point, Maesie has shoved Hutch into Ena.

Cassandra
[Laughs]

Natalia
Forcefully.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Ah!

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Oh, good gracious.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Um… Two left feet. Three, sometimes. Uh… mind if I cut in?

T.
I grab Rabbit by the waist and whirl him around.

Cassandra
[Laughs]

T.
Delaying the inevitable.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
So what, I don’t get no heartfelt goodbye?

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I wasn’t sure you wanted one. You’ve never particularly been fond of me.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
You elude me. I don’t like things I don’t understand. And truth be told, I’ve never cut a rug with a Rabbit before.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
See, I don’t think that’s it. I think you see too much of yourself in me. Both wanting to play the hero, but knowing we’re the monster. Both hiding parts of ourselves from the outside world. Afraid of what we might become.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Dreams and nightmares.. It’s a manner of interpretation, ain’t it?

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
It is. But… do you know what made me special?

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
What?

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I’m good at stories. Not just telling them like you, but understanding them. Using them. We all have parts to play, and like it as we might now, this is a story. And I will tell you one thing, and I hope you take this advice to heart: The difference between a hero and a monster is often what that monster decides to do.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
And if the monster ain’t got no reason? No capacity for it, I mean.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Well, in my experience, there are very few monsters that have absolutely no reason. Even the worst monsters can know when it’s better to lay down.

T.
Hutchinson nods quietly to himself about that.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Well if you ask me, a hero might do the wrong thing for the right reason. If you un-stopper that bottle of ink inside you, write your own story? Even if it’s a bloodbath, don’t mean it’s a horror story.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
True enough. Most fairy tales are bloodbaths in their own rights.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
And cautionary tales for little kids.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Mm. Not just for little kids.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
No, suppose not. Can’t say I ever really understood you. But I respect the hell out of you.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
It’s been a pleasure working alongside you.

Robert
And with that, Rabbit spins Hutchinson back into the other two dancers.

Kim
Miss Douglas and Miss Thanero.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Ena!

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Yes, little pearl, I can see you can barely keep your mouth on the words you want—

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
What is he? Is your boyfriend? What is this? What’s going on?

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Darling, when you’re as old as I am, relationships tend to transcend such banal titles.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Did you kiss him? Have you kissed?

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
I do so forget what it is like to be young and in love.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Oh my god! Are you in love with him?

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
No, that’s not what—

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Oh my god, Ena!

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Ena spins Maesie a couple of times under her hand, and then tries to change the subject.

Natalia
[Chuckles]

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
How was your time at the ballet? I know you and Rabbit managed to take care of our friend there, but how was your time dancing upon the stage?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Um… It was… It was bad. It was not good. Uh… Do you remember Albertina, who I brought to the opera?

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Yes, she was a lovely girl.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Yes, she was. I killed her during my audition.

Cassandra
Ena’s smile evaporates off of her face, at this.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Oh, little pearl, I’m so sorry.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Me too. Um, and then I got, um, someone else almost killed by the Sculptor. And then I quit. So I’m not part of the ballet anymore.

Cassandra
Ena changes the position of their hands, so they’re wrapped around Maesie’s shoulders, and Maesie has her hands on Ena’s hips.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Little pearl, we all make mistakes. But mistakes do not define us.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I know. Um… I’ve been trying to figure out exactly what I want, recently. Seeing as every time I try to do something that I think is the right thing, it’s the wrong thing. And I don’t really know. Um… Sometimes I think I should just go home now. But I can’t. But I can’t say. But I can’t leave, you’re all leaving. And I guess I just have to learn to be okay with not knowing, seeing as that is where I reside most of the time – in the not knowing.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Being around as long as I have, not knowing is all there is to work with, over a very long life. You won’t ever know if a choice is fully right or fully wrong. All you can do is make it, and embrace the consequences that come after. And if you don’t like those, you try to do what you can to not make the same choice another time.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I’m glad you’re staying.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
I’m glad I’m staying too, little pearl.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Now go make out with your boyfriend!

Natalia
And I just shove her. [Laughs]

Cassandra
[Laughs]

T.
We collide together.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Ah.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Oh!

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
[Chuckles]

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Well, hello.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Good morning.

T.
Arm around her waist, and grabs her free hand. Pulls her close.

Cassandra
She lets him lead.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Ever get the feeling we’re not much more than entertainment for those other two?

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Well I can certainly say that our little interlude is entertaining to Maesie, at least. I think she can probably use the distraction.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Interlude? And here I was hoping for the full act.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Play your cards right, and you might get the full play.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Was never really a hand at playing cards. Preferred dice. I know it doesn’t really fit with the cowboy motif, but all the cards I ever got my hands on were doctored ahead of time, so never really trusted them. And, uh… Well, trust is a tricky thing.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
It certainly is.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
You imparting any pearls of wisdom to that one there? I know she’s been down in the dumps, of late.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
I’ve done my best. I have spent a lot of time imparting knowledge to mortals. And they are fickle beings, to be sure.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Folly and ignorance, right? That’s our common curse.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
It certainly is. And I have seen it play out over and over and over again. There’s almost comfort in how repetitive it is.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
It’s, uh.. It’s good to hear. Sometimes when you’re looking at me, I feel like I gotta be perfect. That if I’m foolish, I disappoint you, there’ll be hell to pay. Or, an equivalent thereof.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Despite some of your missteps, your imperfection is one of the things I value most. It helps me to be a little less logical, a little less… stuck, above this world. And it gives me a chance to firmly plant my feet on the earth, and be a part of this life. This short, hopefully well-lived, life.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
I lived a whole life before I met you, you know.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
I assumed as much. You were a man of many secrets, when I first met you.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
It’s in my nature. Still is, I suppose. Some things, of course, they ain’t secret. They just… we ain’t got that far in the story…

T.
Nods back towards Rabbit.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
…Yet. But I cannot help but come to his moment without the knowledge that I have made many errors. And I think, chief among them, is not sharing everything with you, the night I met you. Or, any of the nights after that.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Well, I think if you had bombarded me with the entirety of your soul at the beginning, our relationship might look very, very different. And I do not expect you to share every nuance of who you are, even though I would love to see every single detail. It’s a lot to ask, when you don’t know someone. I certainly don’t share much about myself with anyone.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
That I know. I’m a patient man. I’m hoping it might reveal itself in time, over much study. As I said, I’ve made mistakes. There’s a trail of bodies back home, thanks to me. And they’re racking up here, as well. But not all of them bodies is cold. I have a daughter. You know that I was married, before. And she had a child, and I left her back in the states. In this letter I got from my folks, they’re saying the money’s all gone. They won’t be able to care for her. I don’t know what to do about that. I’ve go responsibilities here. I’ve got you. But she is my issue, and so she is my responsibility as well. I ain’t going back in the shackles of no Pinkerton. But I may need to take another trip across the sea. And I’ve made that voyage once before. Powerful lonely, to do it by yourself.

Cassandra
Ena stops them dancing. She reaches up and puts both of her hands on the side of his face.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Maybe this time, you won’t have to do it alone.

Cassandra
And she gets up on her tiptoes and kisses him very softly.

T.
He holds her. Brings up his thumb and strokes her cheek as she pulls away.

Kim
Miss Douglas and Mr. Lloyd.

Natalia
As soon as Maesie parts from Ena, she goes up to Rabbit and throws her arms around him in a big hug.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Hello, love. Feeling any better?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Yes and no. Sort of the motto of today. I think trying to stand on my own two feet and learn to deal with all of the things that I’ve done, intentionally or otherwise, is harder than I thought.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Well, once you figure out how to do that, you’ll have to tell me. Because I’m still a little unsure, myself.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Well then, maybe we can figure it out together before you go.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Well, I’m happy to give you whatever tools I might be able to. Speaking of which, I’ve been thinking about your request. It’s not a magic I’m particularly familiar with, but I think I’ve figured out aw ay that we can … we can at least try to get you on that path.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Happy to learn whatever you might know.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I think we might need to go down to the Thames to do this properly. I’d ask if you were worried about getting wet in the rain, if I should bring an umbrella, but that seems like a pointless question.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I think I’ll be alright.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
It’s hard to say goodbye, especially when you care about someone. But what I’ve learned is it’s better to say goodbye while you still can, rather than having that regret hold over you when you can’t anymore.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Well, you’re not leaving yet. So don’t expect a goodbye just yet.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Fair enough. Fair enough, pet.

Robert
If at this point the kiss has happened, I think Rabbit gives that a sidelong glance.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Well, I think that might be our cue to cut out of here and give them a little bit of privacy.

Natalia
Maesie’s holding it together by a thread.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Yeah, no. That sounds like a good idea. We should go. We should go.

Kim
Beautiful work, hunters. What a lovely sextet of scenes.

Cassandra
That was really nice, you guys.

Kim
So at the conclusion of a Vulnerable Scene, you may all clear Conditions, should you like to.

T.
Blood on my hands. Out, damn spot.

Natalia
[Laughs]

Kim
Alright.

Robert
Talking with Gus, I think I can clear The Master of Nightmares, as I’m taking more control of my role in the story.

Natalia
Talking with Ena and with Rabbit a little bit, I think I can clear Dependent, as I’m trying to step into my own power.

Cassandra
And I think in talking with Maesie and Beau, I can clear The Guilt of a God.

Kim
Lovely. And now, you all get to propose a Clue for me, for any of the active Threats. For Figgs Piggs, the Coven, the Pinkerton, or the Whateley Camera.

T.
Maybe I notice something on Ena, left by Obert, from our encounter.

Cassandra
I mean, I’ve taken a shower in the last two weeks.

Robert
[Laughs] Yeah.

Cassandra
And any bruises that I would have had, probably evaporated instantly.

T.
Yeah. Maybe it’s something in the movement? All this getting pushed back and forth. Because I feel like he pushed…

Cassandra
Oh! Okay, I like that.

T.
Yeah.

Cassandra
I like that. Cause there was a lot of pushing. We were really shoving each other around. It was like love, but angry.

Natalia
[Laughs]

Kim
Okay, so a clue for the Figg family.

Natalia
It could be something you saw down in the…

Cassandra
Ooh, yeah.

Natalia
In the Moc’h room.

T.
In the basement.

Cassandra
Yeah.

T.
Maybe it’s as simple as a collection of eyes. Ooh, wait. What about hands? I know we already have the skeleton hands. But what if in the shrine, we had left hands? I made the comment about left feet. What if all the hands are left handed?

Cassandra
I like it.

Kim
I’m down with it.

T.
And still fleshy, like at the altar.

Kim
Okay. Fantastic.

T.
Oh, and you know homegirl’s missing her left arm. She wouldn’t have used… When she fed her arm to the babies?

Cassandra
[Gasps]

Natalia
La Hortencia?

T.
Yeah.

Cassandra
You’re nasty for that. [Laughs]

Kim
Please add that to your list of Clues for the Figg family. We are at five Clues for the Figgs, for anyone playing at home. While we leave Mr. Hutchinson and Miss Thanero in the ballroom, let’s follow Mr. Lloyd and Miss Douglas.

[Sounds of a busy dock. The Thames in the rain]

Robert
We cut to them having walked through the rainy streets of London, sodden and bedraggled, but neither of them looking particularly bothered by this, down to the banks of the Thames, where it is roiling and raging right now.

Kim
I have a Paint the Scene here, as you arrive on the bank of the Thames. This sudden change in weather has strengthened and empowered the spirit that calls the Thames home, the very own Lady Thames. As you look around the banks of the river, what signs do you see of her growing strength?

Cassandra
Given that it’s cold out, as the rain hits the banks of the Thames, it starts to stick and become icy. So we are starting to see little patches of white, growing out from the water, reaching up the banks of the Thames.

Robert
Being both the major navigational point and waste disposal point for London and many places beyond, there is often a bit of debris along the banks of the Thames. However, right now, they are perfectly clear. As though all that has been washed down, out into the ocean.

T.
The water itself is running so forcefully, it has taken out all but three bridges. As if the Thames is breaking her chains.

Natalia
And while the weather doesn’t encourage people to come and stand by the Thames, several passersby have noticed that the rushing water seems to have voices in it. And more specifically, a singular voice that seems to call out from the banks.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Right. So I know I’ve hammered this into you multiple times, but it’s better to think of magic as an art rather than a science. I’m sure we could find some tome explaining how to do this, and it would have a list of instructions. You know, only do it at night with a bit of fire, and you have to drink blood, or something to that effect. But that’s not really how this works. What you have to bear in mind is that magic has three parts. No matter what the spell is, no matter if it’s a godly miracle or a cheap little parlor trick, all magic can be broken down into three parts. This is the power, the focus, and the intention.

The other thing to remember about magic is that it is sympathetic. Like calls to like, as above so below. So for example, while there are stories of people using fire as a focal point for this sort of spell, I don’t think it's exactly in either your nature or mine to use fire. So I thought water might be the better place to start. After all, there are plenty of stories of the dead sailing out to sea, or of people seeing reflections of those long past in the still water of a pond.

Unfortunately, though, I do think we’re going to need something more than just your personal, innate magic to power this.

Robert
And at that, Cait, who we have not seen for a second – he’s back, everyone.

[Quiet magical ambience slowly starts fading in]

Natalia
Is he damp in the rain?

Robert
He is damp. But weirdly, it almost seems to, like… You know how some fluffy cats get like scraggly when they’re wet?

Natalia
Mmhmm.

Robert
It sort of just sleeks him out.

Natalia
[Squeals]

Robert
Almost like an otter’s fur.

Natalia
Maesie’s petting him. He is a seal.

Robert
Well, he does have a large, wriggling fish in his mouth.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I think if we’re going to do something that crosses the boundaries between life and death, we’re going to have to use a bit of life to power it. And so… Well, I think this is for you.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Right. Um…

Natalia
Maesie takes the fish, just holds it, flopping in her hand.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Now I want you to focus on the water. I want you to try and look past it. Not through it, but past it. Past its depths, past its inky darkness, into the secrets that might lie beyond it in a world not of our own. And while you’re doing that, I want you to think of a specific soul that you’re trying to call, and then kill the fish.

Natalia
Having climbed down to the banks of the river, Maesie’s already taken her shoes off. Because why would she wear shoes when there’s sand? And she holds his fish and closes her eyes, and she walks forward until she is about knee-deep in the river. It doesn’t really seem to be affecting her, how aggressively it’s moving. And you see her breathe very deeply, and the water right around her calms in a sort of little pool. The ripping tide seems to move right around her. And she grabs the head of the fish, and in a very swift motion, twists it and just rips it off. And then hangs the fish, so that all of the blood inside of it drains into the water. And she thinks about Albertina.

Kim
Nat, let’s talk about your custom move.

T.
Yes, please.

Natalia
[Chuckles] So my custom move is called Rites of Shell and Shadow. When you provide a blood sacrifice to the unquiet spirits tethered to this world, roll with Sensitivity. On a hit, a ghost will appear and answer a simple question you pose it or perform a small task, your choice. Any answer it gives can be in the form of a Clue, at the Keeper’s discretion. On a 10+, as above, but you may choose whose spirit you wish to summon. This ghost will not ask for anything in return. On a 12+, as above, and the ghost will help you repair your pelt. Mark a box. This effect is no longer available once the pelt has been repaired.

Kim
Please roll Rites of Shell and Shadow.

Natalia
Yay!

Cassandra
This is so cool. I have goosebumps.

Natalia
[Rolls dice] Uh… Okay, good. Good, that my Sensitivity is this high. Because that’s a 4 + 3, is a 7. And for the first go around, I feel like she’s learning. I’m perfectly happy with it being a random ghost that shows up and not Albertina specifically.

Kim
Miss Douglas, you perform this unusual ritual for the very first time. And rising from the Thames is not Albertina Welk, but a young, fresh-faced man who you’ve met before, Miss Douglas. Simon Piedmont.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Simon?

Simon Piedmont (Kim)
Oh. Hello there, Miss Douglas.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I didn’t realize you were dead.

Simon Piedmont (Kim)
Yes. A lot has happened since the last time we met.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I’m very sorry. How’s Beulah?

Simon Piedmont (Kim)
She weeps.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Well, in a little bit of irony, I was trying to summon someone I was involved with who died. So, feels appropriate to see you. Um… I apologize if this is an uncomfortable question, or crosses any propriety… What is it like being dead?

Kim
The spirit of Simon Piedmont is silent for a long time. For several long seconds, you just hear the rushing of the Thames behind him.

Simon Piedmont (Kim)
It is quiet. It is stasis. It is lonely, though I am not alone. There are so many here, who cannot pass on. How odd. I played at being so brave in my life, when I was so cowardly. Even in my final moments, it was my Beulah who was the brave one. Would you visit me again, Miss Douglas? It has been some time since I have had someone to talk to.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I will certainly try. I would like to be honest and say that I’m not very practiced at this. And I cannot make any promises about my success in the future. Is there anything you’d like me to say to Beulah?

Simon Piedmont (Kim)
Be a friend to her.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Always.

Simon Piedmont (Kim)
You may have more opportunities to practice your gift, Miss Douglas. For another may be joining our number. The one they call Morgan Lloyd. Professor Sommerset has bid me send a gift.

[Dark, detuned cellos]

Kim
And washing up on the banks of the Thames, is a tarot card. The Magician.

Robert
Rabbit’s eyes grow wide, at this. And it’s not the tarot card. It’s the name.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I’m sorry. Uh… No. Um… I’m sorry, Maesie. I think I have to go. Um, can you see yourself back to the house?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Did I do it wrong?

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
No. You’re great. This was perfect. This is bad. I have to check on something.

Kim
Somewhere in London, a group of men are standing in a circle, chanting. And one of them cuts the throat of a rat. And then Maesie, you feel something wriggling in your throat, as a swarm of rats eject themselves from your mouth.

[Shadows in the Smoke theme]

Kim
Shadows in the Smoke is a Kitten Marlowe production. This episode was edited and produced by Kim Dalton, and featured a theme song by Jake Pierle. You can find out more about us by visiting KittenMarlowe.com, signing up for our newsletter, or following us on socials. For Discord access, an exclusive behind-the-scenes show, and more, visit Patreon.com/KittenMarlowe and join our roommates at Hargrave House, our Kitten Marlowe patrons, in supporting artist-driven storytelling. Thanks for listening.