(Champions)

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No Rest for the Watchman, Act 7

Past Times Coffee Shop

Tanya Leshkin looks up as Jelani walks in.

Jelani walks in, checking something on his PDA, then heading to the counter and ordering a coffee. He looks around and waves at Tanya.

Tanya Leshkin waves back, sips her coffee, and folds up her newspaper.

Jordan sits, reading a weighty-looking book that lies open in front of her. From time to time, she glances up and assumes a thoughtful expression. Then she looks back down at the book and continues reading. Three other dusty-looking volumes lie on the table next to the open book.

Jelani takes his coffee to stand near Tanya's table, "May I join you?

Tanya Leshkin nods, "Please. So what have you found?"

Jelani takes the seat opposite Tanya and places his PDA down on the table, turning it around to face her. On it is a picture of the Watchman. "This was taken last night, his messages are also here. They read like a diary, or a confession, I can't tell which. Have you or your family been able to turn anything else up?"

Tanya Leshkin looks at the pictures and shakes her head, "It could be from his diary, as he remembers it in his current state. But that is defintely his costume." She points at the image of the Watchman. "I haven't been able to find anything else, though I have verified that his body is still in its grave."

Jelani nods, "I would guess as much. These were taken by an investigator who was on Harrisburg last night. The Watchman said something about 'those who claim his name'. I would guess something about the current Night Watch is causing him to appear, something rotten. Also that he needs 'an honest man' to be his eyes." He looks at Tanya, "Do you know anything about that?"

Jordan's eyes freeze, and she looks up, having heard first the mention of 'still being in its grave', and then the reference to Harrisburg. A puzzled look crosses her face, and she slides the book a short distance across the table, forgotten. She does her best to lend an ear from her current position.

Tanya Leshkin bites her lip, "No... that doesn't sound familiar. And I don't have the resources to investigate the Night Watch myself." She hesitates, "I should thank you for the trouble you're taking to help me, though I can't imagine why you are. This could prove quite dangerous."

Jelani shrugs slightly, "People are dying, I'm just doing what any concerned citizen would."

Tanya Leshkin says, "I wonder what he means here '...my curse, taken on so many years ago. I had thought we were keeping them from the hands of evil, how was I to know?'"

Jelani looks at the pictures again, "I don't really know how we're going to find more information. From what I've heard the spirit isn't very forthcoming, he's mainly focused on doing his 'job'."

Tanya Leshkin hmms, "That sounds like my great-grandfather. My grandmother described him as a bit obsessive."

Jelani nods, "As a hero, I believe he was... intense in performing his duty, but he was a hero nonetheless."

Jelani says, "I'm doing a little research on this myself, I'm a bit of a bookworm. There's got to be something here we're overlooking. As much as I dislike murder, I think he's still targetting those that have done something wrong. I just don't think they deserved to die."

Tanya Leshkin sighs, "I still feel we need to get his diary back somehow. I think we're missing something. '...my curse, taken on so many years ago.' ... maybe he did something during the war..?"

Jelani nods, "I believe that today's heroes are working on this as well, so I'm sure someone will turn something up soon. No puzzle is unsolvable."

Tanya Leshkin nods, "I hope you're right. And I hope we find out before he runs out of guilty people."

Jelani shakes his head sadly, "That... may take a while, I have faith thing will turn out for the best."

Tanya Leshkin stirs her coffee listlessly, "I hope so. I hope we can break his curse again and let him rest. I... I'm the eldest descendant of my generation... I don't want to end up like my namesake, the first Tanya Leshkin. She was the eldest of her generation when, if the messages are right, the curse twisted her when my great-grandfather tried to retire."

Jelani says, "Twisted her? This curse isn't restricted to your great-grandfather?"

Tanya Leshkin points to one of the messages, 'My curse seeks to pass on to my grand-daughter, twisting her. I find her, dead, at the base of the bridge. The Eye mocks me.'

Tanya Leshkin says, "My aunt committed suicide, jumped of the Colonial Bay Bridge, when she was 12."

Jelani grimaces. "Then we must find a way to stop this curse, and soon. With your great-grandfather returned, anything could happen."

Tanya Leshkin nods, "That's why it's not enough to put him to rest, at least not for me. If he rests, but the curse remains in effect, I think it will try to turn me into him..."

Jelani nods and looks over the picture of the Watchman one more time. "He needs an honest man, and his lantern is lost. I wonder if the local authorities have consulted with any experts on the occult."

Tanya Leshkin shrugs, "I doubt it. Try even getting someone to believe in the occult."

Jelani grins, "There are more believers out there than you might think. They just don't discuss it at the water cooler."

Tanya Leshkin smiles faintly, "I suppose so. After all, I'm sitting here discussing curses and ancestral revenants with a musician."

Jordan places her book back on top of the pile of other books set on the table, a frown darkening her face. With some effort, she takes up the stack and begins to head towards the door. Mid-way there, a thought seems to strike her, and the frown morphs into a sly grin. It is with that look still fixed on her face that she shoulders open the door to the coffee shop and heads out into the street.

Jelani chuckles and shrugs, "Oh, we're just discussing this and that. Local color, and all."

Tanya Leshkin nods and stands up, "Thank you for the update Mr. Ambrose. I suppose I should get going. I'll let you know if I find out anything more."

Jelani nods and waves. "Take care."