Thadeus eases Elizabeth onto a chair inside the house, then steps back out to the porch. Police tape cuts across the yard, and patrol lights wash the siding blue and red.
A Police Officer
Stay behind the tape. I need to know what happened here.
Thadeus Jovanović
We were attacked. We defended ourselves. The people inside are shaken, but they are safe.
A Police Officer
There are bodies, ash on the porch, and a scorch mark in the street. You expect me to write that down and walk away?
Thadeus Jovanović
I expect you to note that everyone here was trying to survive. If you have questions, I will answer what I can.
A Police Officer
Then start with the basics. Who was in the house, and why does it look like a fight spread from the doorway to the curb?
Behind Thadeus, Elias lingers in the doorway, tense but quiet. Marla stays half-hidden inside, watching the porch through the open frame.
A Police Officer
And one more thing. Did any of you see where the tall figure went?
✓ Quest Accepted
Get the police to accept Thadeus’s account
“The officer introduces himself as Officer Richardson. Thadeus greets him and speaks bluntly, but politely to the officer, "My friends here were all in our house, when we heard a loud explosion. When we looked outside, we saw some kind of riot break out on the street. Several of your officers will give the same statement." Showing no emotion, the officer is equally as blunt, "Many of my officers are deceased. Some of them tell me you attacked several of the rioters. Is that true?" Thadeus focuses on keeping his composure, avoiding the officer's mischaracterization, "The rioters, as you call them, attacked my home, so I defended it." Richardson nods in understanding, but replies, "You still haven't explained where the tall man went." Thadeus pauses in silence for a moment.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +3)
Richardson’s notepad stays open, but his eyes shift from Thadeus to the hallway behind him. The porch light catches the ash on the boards, and for the first time his stance loosens a fraction.
Officer Richardson
Then we are treating this as a scene tied to this address, not a street brawl. Keep talking.
Inside the doorway, Elias lowers his shoulders slightly, while Marla leans out just enough to listen. Elizabeth does not move, but her gaze hardens at the officer’s last question.
Officer Richardson
My men found one body shape near the curb that was not like the others. Tall. Wrong. Then it was gone before they could reach it.
Thadeus Jovanović
He saw enough to know this was not ordinary.
Richardson finally writes something different, then looks back up with a tighter, more careful expression.
Officer Richardson
If that thing was here, I need to know whether it comes back to this house, or whether this house is where it started.
Director's note
In the background, emergency services should be working on removing the injured on the street, and covering the dead with white sheets. This should be visible to Thadeus and his friends
“Thadeus agrees with Officer Richardson, "No one here has ever seen that tall man before." Thadeus avoids mentioning the tall figure attacked Elizabeth, hoping none of the other officers noticed the exchange. Thadeus finishes up with Officer Richardson by giving him his contact information, and assuring they will call if they see the tall man or have any more information. Thadeus shakes hands with Richardson, and they party watches the Officer walk down from the porch to his cruiser. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief, and looks at the damage to Thadeus's home.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Thadeus Jovanović
No one here has seen that tall man before. If we spot him, or learn anything else, we will call you.
Richardson takes the answer without pushing back. He tears off a corner of his pad, accepts the contact information, and tucks it beside his pen.
Officer Richardson
That helps. If this turns up again, I want the call first, not a neighbor’s story.
The handshake is brief, firm, and careful. Behind Richardson, the street glows with cruiser lights while medics move a stretcher past a sheet-covered shape.
He steps off the porch and heads for the curb, still scanning the house as if memorizing it. The doorframe holds the rest of the group in place, all of them watching him go.
Only after the cruiser door shuts does the silence settle. Then everyone lets out a breath and looks at the scorch marks, the ash, and the broken calm of the porch.
Quest Complete
Get the police to accept Thadeus’s account