June 19th 1958 730

After hitting a dead end the night prior, the witch Clouse and Detective Rose go searching for clues. And get mixed results... 

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Hey, it's Jessica Brett, writer, director, and editor of the Cursed Cards Podcast. I want to say thank you for listening to the show. I would also like to give a special thank you to our cast for being a part of this adventure and this episode. Klaus Devin being played by Lord Nerdy, Cephalopod, Brie Rose, played by Fantasy Lover, narrator played by Just Rhett, and Lord Aurora playing the King of Cats. If you have any questions you'd like to share or have the actors answer, email us at askcurscards at gmail.com. We would love to hear from you. And if you'd like to support the show directly, head over to Patreon under Just Rhett. That is just Brett with three T's at the end of Brett, where you can see all the other projects I'm working on. Or check me out on Twitch. I'd be delighted to see you. Anyway, I hope you have a good morning, day, night, or whatever else you might be experiencing. And remember, my friends, to grab a cloak. It's cold outside. This podcast is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and instances are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance of actual persons, living or dead, or actual events are entirely coincidental. The opinions expressed are those of the characters not represent any real world figures or organizations. June 19th, 1958.

SPEAKER_03 1:29

No! I'm not having another hot dog.

SPEAKER_00 1:33

Why not? It's got everything you need to start in the morning, right?

SPEAKER_01 1:39

Detective Rose and Klaus had just left the station. There was no word from the Legionnaires, so they headed back to Little Ireland to search for any more clues. The witch had gotten another coney dog like the night prior, but failed to procure a cola, making his offerings inadequate for Brie.

SPEAKER_03 1:57

I'll s I'll just stick to a coffee and some oatmeal. Thanks. Oh, Klaus?

SPEAKER_00 2:03

Yes, Rose?

SPEAKER_03 2:05

What's with the paper bag?

SPEAKER_01 2:07

Already inside their vehicle was a large paper bag with no label. Whatever was inside was giving the car an earthy smell.

SPEAKER_00 2:16

How's that? It's a gift for a contact that I have in Woodlawn that needs a certain level of incident of.

SPEAKER_03 2:24

Is that Klaus? Is that marijuana?

SPEAKER_01 2:29

Despite the name, the devil's lettuce had been outlawed for nearly 20 years now. She eyed him suspiciously.

SPEAKER_03 2:34

Please tell me you haven't been striking deals with the five families. I'm sure they'd love to have a witch on their side.

SPEAKER_00 2:42

No, no! I've not had a chance to chat with those fine gentlemen. I have much bigger fish to spend my time with when I'm not in your company.

SPEAKER_03 2:51

And what is in the bag?

SPEAKER_00 2:52

Let's just say it's an item that is liked by a certain group of folk that's gonna be quite difficult to procure in large quantities.

SPEAKER_03 3:00

If you're buying cigarettes for kids again, I'm going to arrest you.

SPEAKER_00 3:05

And I told you that those weren't children, they were colicants of rolls. You know, the little Greek spirits of chaos.

SPEAKER_03 3:14

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_00 3:15

Oh, you wound me. Don't you trust me?

SPEAKER_03 3:19

No. Are you really not going to tell me what's in the bag?

SPEAKER_00 3:24

But it'll bring just more questions than answers.

SPEAKER_01 3:28

There was a silence between the two as they made the way to Woodlock. When they parked, Klaus grabbed the bag. It seemed heavier than it looked.

SPEAKER_00 3:36

I'm going to go meet my contact. You should go ask around about Mr. Murphy.

SPEAKER_03 3:41

Aren't you going to help me with this? Or is your nose still hurting?

SPEAKER_00 3:46

Ah. No, no, no, no. I've had my fiddle Catholics. Besides, do you know what Catholics do to witches? I think I'll pass on all that.

SPEAKER_03 3:57

You just confirmed you're a witch.

SPEAKER_00 4:00

And you're acting like an entitled loss. Guess we both have titles we hate now.

SPEAKER_01 4:06

She didn't have a quick for that. She did the rounds and found a bit more information about the victim. He had immigrated with his parents when he was younger, and they passed away while he was serving this country. No siblings. When he got back, he worked construction like a majority of the others that lived in the complex. He was a hard worker, but not much of a talker. Some suggested he go to church more to confess his personal demons he got during the war. Others suggested a shrink, better than the bottom of a bottle.

SPEAKER_03 4:36

Thank you for your time. Now where's Klaus?

SPEAKER_01 4:42

It took her less time than she anticipated to hear his voice. She only travelled about four blocks before she heard him in an alley. She hid, curious about the conversation that was happening.

SPEAKER_00 4:52

I see you've upped your protocols for a meeting. Impressive!

SPEAKER_02 4:57

Can you blame me? With those damned Christian thugs wandering the streets, it feels closer to the dark ages than a modern era. Have you the offering?

SPEAKER_00 5:20

As promised. Twenty pounds.

SPEAKER_03 5:25

Damn it, Klaus.

SPEAKER_01 5:27

The detective drew her revolver ready to end this transaction, but it was cut off.

SPEAKER_02 5:32

That will not do. I require twenty-five.

SPEAKER_00 5:35

Twenty-five? When I was last here, there was twenty.

SPEAKER_02 5:39

Times have changed, druid. More and more have joined my ranks. I need to keep them all satisfied.

SPEAKER_03 5:46

That's it.

SPEAKER_01 5:47

NYPD, put your hands in the As Detective Rose turned the corner, she was surprised to see just Klaus in the alley. Well, even about 30 cats. Short haired, long hair, orange, black, white, fluffy. A small army focused all their gaze on her. The largest and most well grooms sat up with an air of entitlement and intelligence. Its coat was black and it had a large white spot on its ruff. The cat tilted its head, entertained at her arrival. Klaus was less than amused.

SPEAKER_00 6:19

Detective!

SPEAKER_02 6:29

My how the mighty have fallen.

SPEAKER_03 6:32

Why is that cat talking?

SPEAKER_00 6:34

Detective Rose, may I introduce you to his highness Dunal Almighty. The king of New York.

SPEAKER_02 6:46

But the Arab is a point in your favor, I suppose.

SPEAKER_01 6:51

This Lord of the City gently approached Detective Rose. Its mannerisms were like a regular cat's, but almost tactical. A few began to inspect the bag before showing the effects of catnip. Strong catnip. Ray didn't focus on that too long, however, as the eyes of the king felt old, much older than any cat should be. After another loop around her, I looked back to Klaus.

SPEAKER_02 7:19

You've set wards around this young girl.

SPEAKER_03 7:22

Why? Have you been hexed?

SPEAKER_00 7:25

No, not hexed. And you know I would protect her, your majesty. Not all that's precise in your kingdom are as gracious or as kind as you are.

SPEAKER_02 7:36

Clover, lemon balm, sage, tobacco, and peppermint. Are you expecting trouble, Druid?

SPEAKER_00 7:46

There was a murder not too far from here, my king. And well, it was quite a gruesome one.

SPEAKER_02 7:54

I do sense something rather violent. It was ancient, long before my time, and even the monarchy had been ordained by the Queen of the Summerport.

SPEAKER_00 8:04

There were traces of goat on the premises, and well, these as well.

SPEAKER_01 8:11

The witch pulled something out of his pocket and got onto one knee to be eye-level with the tiny king. The cat came over to inspect it.

SPEAKER_00 8:18

Shards of raven feathers, your highness, filled with fear and dark energies. None of your subjects dare to collect young Mephis' soul either.

SPEAKER_02 8:28

I have no quarrel with the Morrigan. If this the work of her or one of their soldiers, I'll have nothing to do with it.

SPEAKER_00 8:34

And I wouldn't dare ask you to aid me in the battle against the three sisters. You have already aided me greatly, your majesty. Come along, loss. We're going.

SPEAKER_02 8:46

Just a moment, Ruit. Said the pretty flower could leave.

SPEAKER_01 8:51

All of the cat's eyes began to glow like candles out of midnight mass. Their smiles began became unhinged and elongated. Noise coming from their throats were palpable like rolling thunder. Before any could move, Klaus exhaled.

SPEAKER_00 9:06

Fine, fine! Hitter is something to entertain you and your subjects, my lord.

SPEAKER_01 9:12

Jew pulled out another bag out of his long coat. As it hit the ground, the entourage of cats focused on the five or six spools of thread that poured out.

SPEAKER_00 9:22

There have been enchanters, so they will return to their original size if ever unwoven. Is that enough to let this flower go, my lord?

SPEAKER_02 9:30

I am not. It will suffice. But let it be known, druid. Next time you require an audience, I expect more than entertainment and herb.

SPEAKER_00 9:43

Bring me. Generous as always, my lord. Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 9:49

The druid, witch, or whatever you want to classify Mr. Devonaz, quickly grabbed Ray and dragged her away from the king and their subjects. Ray tried to protest, but then he whispered.

SPEAKER_00 10:00

Keep walking, or they'll eat you alive.

SPEAKER_03 10:03

You can't be serious.

SPEAKER_00 10:04

Rose, if one cat can eat a rat, no problem. What do you think you are to a pack of dirty?

SPEAKER_01 10:13

They rushed back to the car with no conversation. When the ignition had started, they departed to Little Ireland. Not a moment sooner, the questioning began. No!

SPEAKER_00 10:24

Why would that thing say that then? Because it's a fee that feeds on souls. Why would something like that be a contact? You've seen the streets of the city, Rose. Cats see everything, and know things that we simply do not.

SPEAKER_01 10:41

Before she could make a counterpoint, she saw a stray cat bolting with a sausage out of a butcher shop. Following its mad dash, another two or three followed after it, either to share the spoils or take it for themselves. She attacked the steering wheel, frustrated.

SPEAKER_03 10:58

Okay. You may have a point. What exactly was that O'Malley cat?

SPEAKER_00 11:04

The King of Cats, a Celtic Fey. It is also a trickster, shapeshifter, and soul collector for the sealicot.

SPEAKER_03 11:13

Soul collector? What about the church?

SPEAKER_00 11:16

What about it?

SPEAKER_03 11:17

Does that mean nothing to these fairies?

SPEAKER_00 11:20

The power of the Abrahamic god worked only on inside of its iron gates, and when the church bells ring.

SPEAKER_03 11:26

That small of an area?

SPEAKER_00 11:28

Eh. Consecrating ground takes a lot of real faith, Bree. And rituals that are oftentimes forgotten. I didn't think you were Christian.

SPEAKER_03 11:39

I'm not. Well, it's complicated.

SPEAKER_01 11:44

Truth be told, Brie Rose was born into the Christian faith, but with everything she had seen the past month while working alongside Klaus, it was difficult to decide where she stood with faith.

SPEAKER_03 11:56

So I really just stuck my nose into trouble and almost got eaten alive.

SPEAKER_00 12:01

Hey, I wasn't going to say it, but yeah. But even if they wanted to, they couldn't actually have been able to eat you.

SPEAKER_03 12:09

That's good to know. But why is that?

SPEAKER_00 12:12

Because the herbs are smoke around you, Bertie. They are a form of protection. And it allows you to see the things and talk to the creatures that are otherwise hidden to normal people.

SPEAKER_03 12:23

So you're smoking a spell into existence.

SPEAKER_00 12:28

A very gross simplification, but sure. I cast a spell to make sure those around me see the forgotten things and add protection from them as well.

SPEAKER_01 12:41

Another bit of silence, just long enough for the words to be protest before the detective pulled the car over to the side of the road.

SPEAKER_03 12:48

Can anyone do magic?

SPEAKER_00 12:50

Sure. In theory.

SPEAKER_03 12:52

In theory?

SPEAKER_00 12:53

There are a few other things like heritage, intentions, incantations, ingredients, and a laundry list of other deciding factors.

SPEAKER_03 13:00

But could you teach me?

SPEAKER_00 13:02

If I wanted to, sure.

SPEAKER_03 13:04

You wouldn't teach me?

SPEAKER_00 13:08

Rich is making more witches makes the devils nervous. Besides, Bertie, it's not like a country club. It's a way of life. And can have some pretty serious consequences for your physical, mental, and spiritual health.

SPEAKER_03 13:25

What? I can lose my soul by mispronouncing a word. You're kidding, right?

SPEAKER_00 13:32

You'd be surprised how many corpses I found of people trying to be cheeky and summoning a devil during World War II. Magic. Magic, Brie. Isn't a cheap trick. It's an art. A craft that should be respected and studied with delicate care.

SPEAKER_03 13:53

I'll take your word for it. Where should we go now?

SPEAKER_00 13:58

I'm fine with either visiting the cathedral or going to visit Gabacus. There's only a few days left to the 21st, after all. And I don't want to miss him.

SPEAKER_03 14:07

You go ahead, then. I'll go talk to the priest while you say your goodbyes.

SPEAKER_00 14:12

Are you sure, Loss? I'm not the kind of witch that can't enter a church now. None of the churches in the United States should cause any issue anyway.

SPEAKER_03 14:22

I'm sure I'll manage to find what the father is able to tell me about Murphy. Have a local officer radio my vehicle when you're done. Or maybe you'll fly over.

unknown 14:34

Ha!

SPEAKER_00 14:34

Hilarious! But I don't have a broom.

SPEAKER_03 14:39

My petty! I'll see you later, Klaus.

SPEAKER_01 14:43

The witch stepped out of the vehicle before taking up the note that Agent Reed had given him the night prior and headed to whatever direction it will take him. Meanwhile, Detective Rose took a deep breath and began to drive to the lunch meeting she had planned for the moment that Klaus Devden had left her alone with the Legionnaire. Hey, it's just Brett, writer, director, and editor of the Cursed Cards Podcast. I wanted to say thank you to Tabletop Audio for the wonderful variety of music that you heard during this podcast. Tabletop Audio has a delightful selection of not only 10-minute long audios that are perfect for any RPG you may be a part of, but also soundboards so that your players and settings can feel crisp and immersive. It is a free service. However, they do ask that you give them a shout out whenever you use them, which is what I'm doing right now. They also have a Patreon and gift shop if you do want to support them in that way. A special thank you to Tabletop Audio for being the music to our ears.