2019-09-16 - How To Execute an Exorcism 101

Minerva's afternoon appointment had cancelled so she had time to make sure things upstairs were tidy and her brother had dropped off baked good, so the day was looking up. There was iced coffee that she was drinking from and she'd had the door open to the apartment. Azrael and Dumah were asleep on the lounge portion of the couch so people would pass the puppies as they went by. Not that people minded puppies!

Who ever minds puppies?

When Isabella arrives, she has a small box of pastries and a bouquet of flowers for the psychologist, lips quirked in a faint smile. "I feel as if your apartment's starting to become my home away from home," she teases, offering the items to her whenever she opens the door. She's generally the friendly sort, but as always, she seems to go the extra mile for the occultist however she can, though the reasons why may be a thing that would have to be dragged out of her by wild horses. "How are you, Minerva?"

Once admitted, green-gold eyes fall on the puppies; a dog person who can't actually keep one of her own, she makes a calling sound with her tongue and teeth in an attempt to catch their attention, and if she is successful, she'll unabashedly get down on both her knees, arms out so she can sweep them up for cuddles. She does not do this in public, and she can trust Minerva to keep this dirty, embarrassing secret to herself. She even coos. She's cooing. "Who're my good boys? Yes you are. Yes you are!"

Minerva was sitting at the island in the kitchen, but given the open design of the apartment there wasn't much that she couldn't see. The puppies pop there heads up when they hear Isabella and they wiggles to the end of the couch to greet her, "Hello, Isabella. I'm doing alright." Minerva chuckles as the puppies greet her.

She lifts up Attila from his perch on the counter and goes to put him back in his terrarium, "You two have had outdoor time, so we'll not be getting all grumpy." she tells the birdeater. "Would you like something to drink? I've got snacks and things as well." she tells her. "Figured it might be a full house tonight if people have questions." she admits.

"It might, but if you'd like them to stay out, I can just reach out to everyone that matters and give them an electronic briefing. I know we've not exactly left you alone since this entire thing started." Isabella has the good grace to look apologetic there, ever so expressive as she regards the woman by the island. "I know a few who are sensitive to constant invasions and group thinks." She straightens up, reluctantly releasing the puppies.

She is dressed in her typical look - this style she favors that straddles the fine line between functional and fashionable, though she is clearly deferential to the heat; a pair of shorts, a tanktop with an Oxford University hoodie slung low on the flare of her hips, and a pair of sandals reminiscent of the style of Roman gladiators, if they were prone to wearing a shade of scarlet that is as vibrant as what she is currently favoring. Her array of silver toe rings are easily glimpsed, just three in all - two in her left foot, one in her right - and her hair is bound back by a pair of chopsticks that is simply a spare set from a night's Chinese takeaway dinner. But unlike the last time when she had come to see her, her posture is relaxed and easy, carrying with her the air of good cheer and humor in spite of her incisive stare's characteristic intensity - of a different nature than Alexander's or Ruiz's, ultimately; hers is more alive and active, and less reptilian or furtive.

"Coffee would be great," she says, moving towards where Minerva is and taking up a stool by the counter. "I'm glad you're doing alright," she says, cradling her chin in one hand. "I know we're largely here to talk about the requirements of the ritual but there's no rule saying we can't talk about other things before, in the middle, or during. I know I already told you the Captain needs at least a day's notice before he brings Thomas Addington in protective custody. Have you spoken to him at all?"

"I don't mind people visiting or wanting to get together to talk." Minerva states with a smile. "And it gives the boys a chance to meet more people." she adds. "And I don't mind people reaching out. Means I'm not sitting here sulking over anything." she muses. Then the raven haired woman is moving to get coffee for the woman. She's not really in a hurry so she's not racing around things.

Then there's a nod as she brings coffee and fixings to the dining table, "I did talk to de la vega last night. We've got a bit of time he needs before he can reserve stuff and all of that. So plans can still be worked on." she admits. "I talked to Alexander as well yesterday. Trying to get things scheduled. But it seems we're all trying to do that." she admits. "Which is nice." she adds.

"Daddy often mentioned that socializing dogs is a very important step in their rearing, especially when they're young." She glances over at the puppies. "Something about having them meet at least one hundred people before they get to a certain age." Fingers lift, to take the coffee offered, gratitude on her features. She takes it mostly black, though with just a splash of cream to blunt its bitterness - she has never been fond of overly sweet things.

She actually looks relieved when Alexander and Ruiz seem to have coordinated with the woman already, and Isabella quirks a faint smile at hearing it. "I'm glad they've been in touch," she says. "Do you know what's been decided? Where, how many? I know we have our Three - Mister Rosencranz, Hyacinth and Erin. Is there anything I can help with other than stay as far away from this as possible?" Most wouldn't take kindly to that, especially to someone who has invested countless hours in their attempts to piece things together, and one from whom the Ghoul had taken personally, but there is none of that on the young woman's face, air or demeanor; she is Baxter-blooded, and they are dealing with a body jumper. She has watched too many horror movies for that not to be a concern when there's an actual exorcism involved.

"My brother is thinking of wanting joint custody of Dumah. So that means he's going to stay with them sometimes and he'll get spoiled by my niece." Minerva chuckles. "His divorce just got finalized so I think they need a bit of happiness." she admits. "But he'll live her most of the time. I think Ashira could use a puppy." she muses.

Then she sips her coffee and looks to Isabella as she talks, her eyes are less tired. "The Captain would like to keep the gathering small, but he wants to be in the room with those that are needed. Safety is the key thing people are thinking on. We want to make sure that if stuff goes south really quick that people aren't hurt. I can only imagine what Thomas can do without having Billy behind him." she frowns. "It's like someone possessing me. It would be REALLY dangerous." she admits. "Unless it's a sloth demon and then I'd just sleep." she muses. "What I might recommend as a Plan B is an interrogation room that doesn't get used a lot so we can have those that want to be there on one side and us on the other." she tells her. "I don't want to leave anyone out. The Ghoul has hurt The Addingtons and the others and I want them to feel like they're getting their payback. But I also don't want anyone killed." she states.

"So far the plan is, we'll go to the precinct, set up in a solitary room if able, I'll do the prelimanary set up of the room and then Thomas will be brought in and we'll see how the exorcism goes with those that are needed and healers. Because I'm absolutely positive that Billy is going to freak out and I expect there will be some blood." she frowns.

"As for something you could do, make sure those that are sacrificing are prepared in their own way and things. I think there's going to be the exorcism followed quickly by the funeral and sacrifices if things work out." she states. She wasn't handling funeral and things.

Taking a quiet sip of her coffee, Isabella ventures, carefully: "I didn't know you had a brother, I'm sorry to hear about his divorce. Is he...moving here?" There's a part of her that clearly wants to tell the woman to advise him against it, but she has had some harsh lessons, lately, in attempting to exact her will on the people around her, and her lips press faintly in a thin line. Besides, could she ever begrudge Minerva of family staying nearby? She had managed to convince her father to move out of town, at least for a while until this is settled, but she misses him. The other name Minerva mentions, however, gets a curious look angled her way. "May I ask who Ashira is?" she wonders, as always never one to impose - family can be a touchy subject.

The rest earns a nod. "That's reasonable enough," she murmurs. "If it's going to be in the precinct, I trust that it'd be more difficult for the Captain to explain the presence of non-essential personnel the more people are added to the guest list. So that would make you, the Captain, Mister Rosencranz, Erin and Hyacinth as essential, though I think the Captain had suggested that another healer be on standby also, in the event that things become a little thorny. The last thing we want is for Thomas to die from strain, at least not before Billy leaves the body." She is not selfless, and most of her soul is still mired in incredible rage. She has kept her opinion to herself around Erin and Alexander, but she does not care if Thomas survives the ordeal. Through him, the Ghoul took from her, and they could have stopped this well before the list ever included her mother - the fifth victim.

"As for not leaving anyone out, that's understandable, also. Everyone has a stake in this, everyone. But you're the professional, and the Captain is taking an incredible amount of professional risk as it is." She has not forgotten her fight with Alexander about potentially kidnapping Thomas and taking him to a site they chose. "This entire endeavor would be for naught if we fail and that includes minimizing the risks as well as maximizing the greatest chance we have at success. We'll be looking to the both of you, I think, to know what's best regarding the number of people, though from what you've proposed, that leaves us to six at most - the Three, you, the Captain and an additional healer. That means Lilith Winslow or August Roen. I'll let them know and leave the decision to them. I'm due to see Lilith soon in the hospital anyway, I'll inform her then."

Regarding the sacrifices, there's a faint but rueful smile. "They're so personal, there's no way I could inquire," she says, her fingers toying absently with the moonstone hanging around her neck. "But Byron wants to try something. I don't think we'd be able to keep the sacrifices from happening - I remember the Exorcist mentioning that sacrifices from the Three are required, but maybe we can make it so nobody else has to give anything up, if they chose. I don't know, it's a dicey gamble at best, but we'll see. It's something for me and him to chew on, at least, and whoever he intends to bring to that excursion. I'll keep you all posted."

Minerva gives a chuckle, "Don't be sorry. His wife was pretty horrible and we were just sort of waiting on things to end." she admits. "He's lived here all of his life. Went away to college and came right back. He works for the DA's office." she admits. "I had to become the Doctor of the family." she chuckles. "He hates this town like the rest of us, but he stays due to family and things." she sighs. "And Ashira is my niece. She's going to be seven this year. She always wants to get into everything." she tells her with a smile.

Then she listens to her talking and there's an understanding look, "I completely understand the feeling." she admits. And she did. "I'm going to try to make sure that Thomas does not die during the ordeal. But with his age and the fact that Billy HATES the Addington's I'm sure he's going to try to take as many out before he's trapped. And I'm guessing that he's going to try to murder the rest of us in that room as well. " she shakes her head. "Alexander asked me to keep an eye on Itzhak." she murmurs to that. "I told him I would." she adds.

"And I might be the professional, but we're stepping into new territory here so I'm just as blind going in as the rest. I just have the over whelming urge to keep you all safe." she admits. "And if the others don't have to sacrifice that would be some good, but sacrificing still is a nice thing. Or well, it might be a good thing." she murmurs. "And I'm trying to keep everyone in the loop as we go, just not sure how many we have involved." she admits.

"Oh, well, in that case, then I'm glad she's gone," Isabella tells Minerva, flashing her a wicked grin and one laden with her usual mischief. She takes another sip of her coffee. "But I'm glad that you were the one who ended up becoming a doctor. I'm sure your brother's a fine lawyer, but if I had to choose between a defender and a healer, I'd pick the latter." If not just because her inflated confidence usually assigns herself to the former role.

But it seems that the doctor will be the one to defend them, also, and she smiles faintly. "Lilith asked me to ask you what protections you intend to place in the room. I don't know what she actually knows about the occult, but I told her I would ask, so now I am. Would it be around the same ones you set up in the seance room with Alexander?" There's a blink, when Minerva mentions keeping an eye on Itzhak, and her expression gentles. "I think it might be because he was only pulled into this because of a friend - Erin and Hyacinth are willing to risk i t all to fix their family's mistakes, but Mister Rosencranz had been a third party until recently. And the way he reacted when the Exorcist pointed him out in the meeting, I can't say I blame him for being worried."

She smiles faintly. "Thanks though, for looking out after all of us. I think we all want to see everyone else come out alive, not when the Ghoul's taken so many lives already. But I've kept a pretty good accounting of the players - I'll let them know what's up. That way if anyone gets angry..." And her expression is resigned, there. "They can fight it out with me."

"He's the one that usually stitches me up when trouble is had. I went to him after the shooting at the bar. He was bitching about shotguns." Minerva chuckles to that. Then there's a bit of a look to her when she's asked about protections, "I'm going to put up a number of them. Layers generally help. I can give you a list to give to her if she needs it." she admits. "Just want to make sure if he gets out he doesn't leave the immediate area and he can't get into anyone." she tells her.

Then there's a head shake when Itzhak is talked on. "He's a good guy. Kind of sad that he's going to be dealing with stuff." she admits. "But, shit happens. I should have told him to run when he was first talking to me. Maybe that might have saved him." she sighs.

Then she shakes herself, "It's no problem. Kind of my thing." she smiles to that. "If anyone has issues with the limitation on bodies, they can take that up with Ruiz and others, yes. I wish I could provide a for sure safe place to do this in, but I can't." she frowns. "And I appreciate you helping out with things." she admits.

"That would be useful, thank you so much," Isabella replies. "This is coming from a person who knows her a lot better than I do, but she's always been keen on knowing how things work. How to take things apart and put them back together. She's a savant, when it comes to such things, or so I've been told - if she knew what she was looking at, if she becomes a part of the group between herself and August, maybe she'll be able to anticipate problems before they start while you concentrate on the actual ritual. I'll send the information to August, also. Just in case."

After a moment, she smiles. "That's what I heard from everyone else, about Mister Rosencrantz," she tells Minerva. "I'm supposed to go out with him, Isolde and Alexander somewhere, when this is all over. Maybe I'll get to see that for myself, also."

Her hand extends, to offer it to Minerva for her to take, and if she does, she'll squeeze it warmly. "I think we should all be thanking you for putting this together," she tells her quietly. "You know your stuff, Minerva. I'm glad we met, and I'm glad that you're armed with the knowledge you are...and that you're willing to share it."

Minerva gives a smile to her, "Alright, I'll get the list together." she tells her. "Hopefully we can all make sure that the group stays intact and everyone makes it out alright." she states. "And if they can see things coming that might be trouble it helps me a great deal." she adds.

The comment about Isabella going with Itzhak and others makes her lips twitch into a half smile, but she couldn't sell it, "I'm glad he found someone that doesn't make him feel awkward." she murmurs. But she doesn't say more. There's not really any reason to.

Minerva reaches out and takes her hand, returning the gentle squeeze, "This'll be okay. We've got this and things are going to start being somewhat normal again. We just have to have Faith that it will." she states quietly.