2020-03-10 Urban Exploration

Summary
Shiloh Young and Nathan Triggs were investigating an old house in downtown Manhattan, rumored to be the home of an old alchemist. Shiloh was eager to explore the place, but Nathan was noticeably reluctant about the whole idea. They checked the exterior for security systems, finding only one old camera, easily avoided. The doors were locked, but Shiloh gained access through an unlocked window. Letting Nathan in through the front door, they explored the house, finding a locked door down to the basement. Sensing something behind the door, Shiloh searched for a different way in, finding a secret door behind a cabinet in the kitchen. Down in the basement, they found a table full of alchemical equipment inscribed with strange markings, some of which Shiloh could identify. Both of them were drawn by the symbols on the pieces, and while contemplating the mystic sigils on one of the jars, Shiloh had an experience that led to her Awakening, an event which was visible to everyone with mystical senses within several city blocks.

Two magi were witnesses to the supernatural disturbance. Tati King was riding on a subway car heading south from Manhattan when she sensed the anomaly, and turned around immediately, recognizing its import. K. Malcolm Lawson was working late at his internship downtown, and on leaving, he also felt the wave of energy released, casting a spell to examine the surge of magical energy, enabling him to follow the trail.

Nathan crushed the glassware in his hands so tight it shattered, cutting him, and he screamed. Shiloh went to tend him, and he fled the scene. Shiloh chased after him, both of them running out of the house, where Malcolm observed them and followed them down into the subway. Nathan ran into Tati King as she was exiting the metro car coming back up, literally bowling her over in his haste to escape. Shiloh tripped over Tati trying to pursue, and both ended up on the deck of the subway station. Nathan did not stop or wait for anything, riding away on the subway train. From her position on the floor, Tati cast a spell to enable her to keep an eye on the fleeing young man. Malcolm offered to assist the women in standing, but was declined; a brief, guarded conversation followed, and Shiloh fled the scene. Tati cast a second spell of scrying, this time observed by Malcolm, still sustaining a spell enabling him to witness the flow of magical essence. Tati and Malcolm conversed further; Malcolm intended to investigate the scene where the events took place. Tati agreed to join the investigation Malcolm proposed, and seemed especially excited by the fact that its legality was questionable.

Malcolm and Tati explored the house, finding the same alchemical setup that the other two found, and Malcolm took the bloodstained bits of glass Nathan cut himself on and disposed of them, not wanting to leave forensic evidence where it could be found. They also closed up the house as they left, before parting ways.