PARALLAX, Session 14: Sensory Deprivation

Scene setup

Scene Expectations

We get to the hospital in time to help Jo

Expected scene test

Scene Proceeds Normally.

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Playing the scene

As we speed toward the hospital, Pariah calls Robertson to inform him of our destination. She listens quietly for a few moments, her expression unreadable.

Pariah: “I see. Thanks, Robertson. Talk soon.”

She remains thoughtful for a few moments before speaking again.

Pariah: “It seems our friend in the trunk wasn’t alone after all. Robertson took out a sniper positioned on the roof of the building.”

I have no answer for that. It feels like a miracle that we’re all still alive. The twenty minutes it takes to reach the hospital are the longest of my life. We burst through the entrance and head straight for the elevators; Jo is on the fourth floor.

Pariah: “Phalanx, take the stairs.”

He nods and sprints toward the stairwell. Pariah and I board the elevator. I hit the button for the fourth floor, wondering if elevators have always been this slow. Finally, the doors slide open. Pariah gestures for me to stay behind her. She peeks out, checking both directions, before giving me the “clear” signal. Jo’s room is down the left corridor.

FQ: is the police officer still standing guard?
A: Yes

The officer guarding her room is still at his post. We might have made it in time. We run toward him, and he greets me with a professional nod.

Placebo: “Officer Stewart, thanks for your help earlier. Is everything all right? Anything unusual happen around here?”

FQ: Has anything happened?
A: Unexpected Random Event
Remote event: Deceive + Legal
My interpretation: as we speak, a diversion forces the officer to leave his post

Before he can answer, screams erupt from down the hall. Smoke begins billowing out of one of the rooms as a nurse panics. Personnel from all over the floor rush toward the fire. Stewart follows them, leaving Jo’s room unguarded.

Pariah: “This is a diversion. Get inside and bar the door!”

We burst into the room. Jo jumps at the sight of us, still in her bed but appearing unharmed.

Jo: “What the hell? Who… Law? What’s going on?”

Placebo: “Not now, Jo. You’re in danger. This is a friend—we’re here to help. You have to trust me.”

Pariah peeks back into the corridor and curses.

Pariah: “The other spellcaster is coming. Get ready!”

She shoves a heavy closet against the door to block it. Jo watches us, wide-eyed, but doesn’t protest.

FQ: spell effects table
A: Shield + Senses
My interpretation: a sensory deprivation spell hits us

Suddenly, the world vanishes.

I am plunged into complete darkness. I cannot see, hear, or smell anything. I wave my arms frantically but touch only empty air; I am swimming in a sea of nothingness. I scream, but I cannot hear my own voice. Panic sets in.

Lawrence (1/D4) sanity check
(D100): (27) < (64) => 1 sanity loss (unnatural)

I force myself to take deep breaths and slowly regain control, though I remain helpless. Moments pass like an eternity. Then, as suddenly as it began, the darkness is gone. I am back in Jo’s room, breathing heavily. Judging by their faces, Jo and Pariah just shared the same experience. I run to Jo and take her hand.

Placebo: “It’s okay, Jo. It’s passed.”

Jo: “WHAT has passed, Law? What the hell just happened?”

She breaks down in tears. Seeing someone as strong as Jo crumble is devastating. I try to comfort her, but it’s a struggle. Pariah listens at the door until a muffled voice comes from the other side.

Pariah: “Phalanx. Thank God.”

She moves the closet and lets him in.

Phalanx: “It’s okay. I took him down while he was busy with that hypergeometric shit. You all right?”

Pariah: “We are now.” She assesses the room. “We can’t make this body disappear. We need a plausible story.”

Phalanx grabs some disinfectant from the closet and a sheet from a nearby bed, soaking the fabric. He tosses it near the body in the hall.

Phalanx: “I saw him trying to set another fire. I ordered him to stand down; he refused and moved to light the soaked sheets. I had to shoot.”

Pariah: “Sloppy, but it’s the best we have. It’ll buy us enough time to bolt. Lawrence, you were here visiting a friend. You’ve never met us before.”

I nod and look at Jo.

Placebo: “Please trust me. This is the right thing to do. I’ll explain everything later.”

She looks unconvinced but nods. Pariah tells Phalanx to search the body before the police arrive.

FQ: Does Phalanx find something of notice?
A: Yes
Objects table roll: Mechanical + Ready Animal table roll: spider-like + spider-like

In the internal pocket of the man’s trench coat, Phalanx finds a strange mechanical device—a spring-powered, spider-like toy with many legs. He wraps it in a cloth and pockets it.

Moments later, Officer Stewart runs back, gun drawn. Pariah raises her hands, flashing the fake FBI ID, and begins spinning our version of the story. We spend the rest of the afternoon being questioned by detectives. They seem eager to accept a tidy closure to such an ugly situation. Before leaving, Pariah whispers in my ear.

Pariah: “Get back to the motel as soon as possible. Do not tell Mouton anything—for her own safety. Make up a story.”

Finally, Jo and I are alone. She stares at me.

Jo: “Start talking.”

I’m at a loss. How do I explain what she just felt?

Lawrence: “I wasn’t on vacation, Jo. The FBI got me involved in an anti-terrorism operation. Apparently, a group of fanatics got their hands on a dangerous chemical that causes sensory deprivation. That’s what that guy used. We’re lucky the exposure was minimal; longer contact could have been permanent.”

Jo: “That woman with you… she talked about ‘spellcasters’ and ‘hyper-something.’”

Lawrence: “That’s FBI jargon. You know how they are. We’re lucky they didn’t use Lord of the Rings references.”

Jo: “The body disappearing from the morgue… did it have something to do with this?”

Lawrence: “Yes. I’m sorry I lied, but they asked me to cover it up. National security—the phrase that opens every door.”

I put on my best guilty face. I’m not sure it works. She exhales slowly.

Jo: “I’m quite sure at least half of that is bullshit. But I’m also sure you’ve told me everything you’re allowed to. God, Law, what did you get yourself into?”

Lawrence: “I’ve been asking myself that every hour for the last day. One more thing—please don’t tell Sally. I don’t want her involved in this.”

Jo: “Fine. But you owe me an entire bottle of Laphroaig. Ten-year.”

A tired smile creeps onto my face. As I leave the hospital, my personal phone rings. It’s Sally.

Sally: “Hey, stranger. No time for even a short message today? What are they doing at that conference?”

Lawrence: “Sorry, Sal. It’s been a hell of a day. Shaking hands non-stop. I’m glad it’s over.”

Sally: “You sound exhausted. Everything okay?”

Lawrence: “Yeah, hon. Just tired and hungry.”

Sally: “Well, go eat. Call me tomorrow?”

Lawrence: “Sure thing. Bye, hon.”

I lied to her again. It’s getting easier, and I hate it.

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Scene bookkeeping

Chaos Factor

8 (unchanged)

Character list

Unchanged

Thread list

Unchanged