Occams Razor

In no particular order...

That one crime scene investigation. Everything about that particular trip to a crime scene. Afterwards, we all stood in the back of the diner, and though I can't remember what we said, that conversation had me in tears of laughter. At one point, Mr. Jones came by and asked us what was happening out of concern. "You can't tell me nothing happened. Kelsey's on the floor!" ...because at that point, I'd collapsed onto the kitchen tiles because I couldn't even that conversation.

Kelsey's love life becoming complicated. All of the roleplaying that came out of that. Everyone I talked to about that, from the people involved, to the friends Kelsey sought advice from, to the people who noticed me crying and gave me hugs, to the new player who put into perspective just how much of a weirdness magnet Kelsey is, was seriously awesome. Thank you all.

Bullet time!!! OMG bullet time. Shady turning the table sideways. Marina giving Donovan CPR. OMG bullet time. Bullet time is awesome.

That moment we thought we'd finished with Nick's crime mod, only to suddenly be surrounded by angry people with guns. Hearing Roscar's list of grievances against Nick "You're annoying!" Realizing I was out in the open and going to hide behind Mr. D, the big imposing spider man. "Do you mind if I stand next to you for a while?" I asked. Without missing a beat, he replied, "Of course not. It is natural for the ladies to flock to me."

Feeling like I was doing my job as a medic, especially during Nick's crime scene mod and in the big battle Saturday night. I heard NPCs calling out "Maim!" and just started heading towards the screams, saying, "I think I heard them calling my name."

Hearing Donovan tell the story of the lizardman board meeting, and his new hobby.

Talking with Brett about his past.

Speaking to Isaira on Friday night. "Are you sure you're okay?" she asked. I said I didn't know. The moments immediately following that were amazing. It was a blend of "what have I gotten myself into" and "yup, I'm letting this happen" and "Oh thank god." Thank you, Coco, for an awesome moment right off the bat.

That conversation with Billy about free will. I hadn't realized just how much having agency meant to Kelsey. And getting to finally bond with Billy was amazing.

My new Sailor Saturn hoodie, and all the reactions to it.

Realizing that Kelsey was done. At about half past midnight on Saturday night, she had not only run out of f***s to give, but had in fact gone into negative f***s. I was tired, and my feet hurt too much to stand up, so I sat myself down on a stool and declared that anyone who needed first aid could get themselves dragged over to me. Sure enough, there was a steady stream of people who came in with maimed limbs. So about once a minute, I found myself saying, "Agony and Cure Maim By Medicine. It was only dislocated. Just walk it off." and "You'll be fine" in what must have been a pretty tired, deadpan voice as my patients/victims were swearing in pain. The reactions of Liberty Blue and the other folks around me were priceless.

Relaying this experience to Doc Kennigan on Sunday morning. "I was just so tired, I sat down and told them that if anyone was dying, they could bring them to me." While the other PCs stared at me in shock, Ellie just nodded in understanding. I don't recall her exact words, but I remember greatly enjoying the conversation.

Watching Harry Davenport rage out against the squirrels.

Marching up to one of the squirrels and demanding that it take me to its squirrel leader. Sinking down onto the porch with Ariel afterwards. "I just asked a squirrel to take me to its squirrel leader. That's where I am right now. I have had it up to here! *waves hand in the air* I don't even know where I'm gesturing, but I'm doing it emphatically."

The final fight on Sunday. We were outnumbered and outclassed trying to keep Play With Me Toys from taking that yurt, but it meant I had to fight, which is always a fun yet terrifying place to be. I narrowly escaped dying (thanks for the save, Nick) and we eventually got reinforcements and succeeded in driving them off. Okay, so technically there were fewer NPCs trying to take the yurt than there were PCs trying to defend it, but you guys made us feel like we were outnumbered. Every part of that battle I got to see was awesome.

Just to throw this in there....

IT WAS COMING RIGHT FOR ME!!!! - moment..

"Get away from me you racoon!"

*bang bang bang bang*

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MY HAND!

...

and no one would bring me pour Lou dying on the floor because we were dying with laughter

- That moment of overwhelming horror wherein Alice realized that she had been lied to. The grief, rage, and humiliation that came with the Vanguard's conversation after. "Ashmore died because he was trusting. And this is the fire that burns in his wake." "I will not die as my mentor died. I will learn from his flaws."

- The art of scaring Bears, starring Brett 'White Noise' Mckinnon and Alice White.

- A long talk with Sally and Hannah about plans. Bringing that plan to Marner. Not getting a shotgun pointed at me. Continuing that talk with Billy. The revelation of horror and immediate revulsion to show just how much Alice has grown.

- Watching all the Demons walk into the room. Alice may have been SCREAMINGINTERNALLY but man did that look sweet.

- Eliot. Did you know he has a temper?

- Having my headcaved in by Adam Campbell as Sally stood on the other side of me screaming at him.

- Stepping up to fill the gap and burning out my life energy whenever Malcolm called for someone to press against the gap.

- Marina and her crew. Seriously. Interacting with them was some of the highlights of my event.

- "I would best describe it as a Giant Hell Centipede from Beyond the Stars."

- Lou almost bleeding out in the middle of the diner because no one realized he was dying.

- Basically every interaction with Lou.

- Playing with Azeban.

- Just about opening my event with walking by JD, only to have him notice me and go "Hey Alice. How do you feel about Talon?" Always happy to kick in a door for a friend <3

I know I'm forgetting something important so I'll probably do a second round sooooon~.

For me it's often the little interactions:

“I’m sorry to interrupt a meeting of the All Black Clothing Club.”
The moment I looked down, then looked around, then looked up at started laughing because Damn if he wasn’t right. Touche, Poncho Vampire/Booker. Touche.

“We didn’t have holidays in the test tubes.” (Sage Green)
I’m using that

Aurora glowing and clutching me and saying “My Uncle is Alive!” (Capitals intentional – it’s how Aurora talks) and telling her that I did not understand her deep family connections but I was… glad?... for her

Kelsey telling someone she healed from a maim, “It was probably broken. Walk it off.” (paraphrase). Lib’s appreciation for her mounts.

70s porn star. Any opportunity to cross wits with Mr. Ken Pickering amuses the crap out of me.

Mel's interpretation of my trying to communicate when I was crazy.

Subtle call-outs on Lib's rudeness/lack of social skills. They were probably throwaway to the people doing them but they imbed me more in character.

Nick and I explaining how a ninja and a helicopter could be approaching together – The ninja is hanging off a cable on the side of the helicopter, holding on by his teeth and brandishing his sword; it’s impressive

Squirrels and asking Mr. Henry if he was racially offended to be have something throw wood at him

Portal Gun. I giggled through that entire thing. Thanks Harry for pointing at me and saying “Portal Gun"

Feeling like I’m slowly getting spooled into part of the story. That is satisfying.

Clairvoyage

From an OOG place – I am super impressed with the physical setups – costuming and props; in some cases they are simple but quite effective (like the cubes in the Portal Gun run)

Expressing my revulsion at the idea of myself possibly rising again after death... and then not realizing I was all of 5 feet from one of Mr. Saturday's men. I quickly try to pull the feet form my mouth, "Oh! I mean, gosh, It's not that... I'm sorry... uh, I'm catholic!"

His reply: "My condolences."
-----

Playing Zero Gravity! having my corpse used an impact cushion for the poor medic trying to heal me... over and over again... And luckily, due to the noise, NOT hearing Lilly's instructions to help her escape to the internet. (well actually I regret that.)
-----

Following Michael while he followed the voice in his head. "Hey, I'm going to come too; it might be a good idea to have someone 'deaf' along in case there is head-screaming."

"By my voice agony to psychic"

::Is standing there patting michael on the shoulder:: "Told ya so."
-----

And of course; "THIS IS A VIOLATION OF HIPPA!" and "For Fuck's sake, this is NOT TGI Fridays!" (In all seriousness, thanks for the Birthday song! I have never been more embarrassed or blushed so hard. Also; That was the best Birthday Present evar.

-----

And how on earth could I forget throwing all that shade with my favorite old man Brett. Though, he probably can't read this, as The internet tends to be hard for the elderly to understand. Perhaps I should write him a nice letter...

As always, there are the many conversations I have with people that really do shape my experience as Billy St. Francis. Getting to play Billy opposite some of you guys is nothing short of stellar, and I am happy to help each of your PCs grow their story. Pretty much, if you had a one on one conversation with Billy this event? Thank you. You are awesome.

Now, for more public highlights:

- Unleashing the power of Billy's disappointed glare. The reactions from the NPCs and the surrounding PCs has been quite enjoyable.
- Watching Ezra and the teenagers fan-gasm out at the new pop star PC.
- Every single time someone turned to Billy, and went "So... you and Ellie, huh?" And the looks of amused skepticism to the response of "What? We drink beer and watch hockey."
- Making Alice realize the price she was asking to be paid, and getting pleasantly surprised at how strongly she chose not to pay it.
- Confirming another one of Brett's conspiracy theories.
- Donovan's description of the board meeting and his new hobby. It was a beautiful reaction.
- Herne apologizing to Billy for all the times Billy has had to cover up his blatantly supernatural wings... and how happy Herne was to discover that this ONE TIME, it actually worked out for the best.
- Fun with Chemistry. And Booker being a member of the volunteer fire brigade.
- Getting hugged by Charlotte. She was just so HAPPY.
- Billy finally got some answers he had been spending months trying to figure out how to ask. And the answer to one very important question which has gone a LONG way to healing the rift in his mind.
- The unintentional comedy caused by a Raccoon spirit and someone getting their hand shot.
- The immense flood of relief when I discovered that the new journalist was actually a demon. Followed by the disappointed rage in learning that someone already told them about what happens in the Cave of Whispers.
- Historical tours! And I finally got to use "Speak French" as a call!

All in all, it was an exceptionally good time. Thank you, all of you!

I shot Lou he almost bleed to death. That sums up my event perfectly.

It is always so hard to pick just a few! And so, in no particular order.

Brett casing off a bear was awesome

Davenport stomping squirrels. That was unexpected.

All the innuendo with Nick Sleet. So many dirty dirty jokes. So many...

Getting chewed out by the Dusk King. Trying to find all the loop holes and managing to get away without lying.

Trying to persuade Billy to buy Doc K. a better mug.

Being part of a point team punching into Play With Me Toys. I never get to be on point during a Saturday mod. Thank you for keeping me alive Teach.

Getting to talk with Victor about life.

Meeting all the new lovely Demon folk. I am so disappointed I missed seeing you all in your glory, Hana would have swooned.

OMG, who the frick made the Hedge costume!? That was amazing!

The few interactions with Leslie we had. Hana didn't know she was worried about you until you were missed.

Sailor Maxwell.

The carved skull rolling gently in the Mike's hand to a resounding "God Damn it!"

Just basically being back in Whisper Hill after a long winter away feels like coming home... Only people keep trying to kill you.

Innuendo? I'm as pure as the driven snow! Well, driven snow in a swamp, technically.

So in no particular order:

That time my operation went to hell and my cover got blown.

That OTHER time my operation was compromised and my cover got blown.

Running my mouth off to Roskar while the other PCs listened in and feeling virtuous because practically 50% of the words coming out of my mouth were ABSOLUTELY TRUE. Then having no one buy my bullshit and beating a hasty escape before getting shot a lot. Comeuppance is fun!

Our super professional crime scene investigation where I'm sure that paperwork will show up soon and everyone was super professional. That was professional laughter in the diner, with professionals. I want to emphasize this point.

Having someone attempt to make a beef frank joke at Nick Sleet, only to have their expression slowly turn to horror as I took it and RAN with it. Do not attempt to insinuate at Nick. He has a monopoly.

Sneaking super secretly up on a position, undetected, and throwing a pinecone to lure out the guards. Fun badassery!

The crime scene with Ted, and losing my shit and swearing, like, a LOT. Having Parish come up to me afterwards and say "soooo, that was a lot of "shits" I heard. Want to talk about it?"

Team Sneaky/Team Slytherin. You know who you are.

Rounding a corner on a scouting mission during the final battle, seeing an entrenched position, then beating a hasty retreat. Starting to swear internally as the sniper shouted "by your name, Nick Sleet". This is why stealth wear is crucial! You can't hit what you can't name... I mean see.

Zero Gravity fun times. Portal Science is best science! I especially liked the part where someone asked "are the turrets set to stun?" The NPCs turned to look at each other, and started laughing in synch with each other but totally naturally. Then they stopped and turned around and grinned with wide open eyes behind the goggles.