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The Wizard of Oz. Rylan paused to eye the display of old-timey televisions he'd only ever seen in pictures. An age when color images were still a new concept. He glanced around, noticing the faded, now dull colors that meant his was no longer the vibrant magic-enhanced shrike vision he'd developed somewhere along the way.

"No magic?" he said aloud to the amber-eyed shrike on his shoulder. Imp only peeped. "This could be interesting."

He turned from the TVs and made his way toward the handful that had gathered on the corner of the street, warily eyeing a homeless man with a sign. REPENT.

"Sir? You got the date?" He asked. November 1, 1969.

"You an actor or somethin?" The man jabbed his sign at Rylan's clothes.

"Oh, n- yea. Sort of. Just a futurist nightmare play," he answered, thanking the man with a nod and turning toward the street.

"Excuse me, did you say you were an actor?" An unfamiliar voice followed him out of the small gathered crowd.

Rylan turned to see an impeccably dressed woman with a young daughter who was looking up with him with starry eyes. The look on her face spoke of an adoration that reminded him of Corra when she'd been younger.

"My daughter and I love plays," the woman continued. "What's your about?"

"The uh, year 2016." Not really a lie. "There's magic, and a disaster. It's a developing story, really."

"Oh, are you a struggling actor?" The woman gasped, eyes wide.

"Depends on what you define as struggling, really." And actor.

That seemed to be the right answer. The woman waved him over urgently with jewel-encrusted hands. "You have to come with us – stay for dinner, won't you? My husband will be fascinated. Anything to help a young actor on his way to fame and fortune! You won't forget us when you make it to the top, I presume."

She was nodding at him with a hopeful look on her face, half eager, half in earnest, as if this was the most exciting thing to have happened to her all week.

"I shouldn't impose, ma'am," he began.

"Oh, please, Mr—"

"Rylan."

"Mr. Rylan, please, it would be our pleasure. Really."

It didn't feel right. He'd about decided to shake his head with a pained smile and continue on his way when the little girl spoke up.

"If there's magic in your play, then how can there be a disaster? The magic would stop it." She was so curious, so puzzled, trying to understand the plot of a story that could one day be her own.

There was a brief pause before Rylan finally let the sunny smile slide across his face. "Alright, I'll explain at dinner."

The woman was ecstatic. She let out a barely suppressed squeal, grabbing him by the crook on his arm and leading him away from the corner toward the nicer side of town. "We've got room in our house too, if you need to stay. We have clothes, we have..."

Rylan shut his eyes in a grateful grin. "Thank you, Mrs..."

"Callister!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Callister. Really. Thank you."

-----

Rolls for Ry

4: I've managed to find a comfy bed with a kindly family or group. (Rented room, free)
4: Someone took pity on me and helped me blend in more. (Free; easy to pass)
4: I've always fancied myself a con man... (High income)

12 points = 4 bonuses?

Redeeming:
1. Warging power
2. Eavesdrop power
3. +1 to combat rolls
4. HP Up power

Hours later, they found each other again. Ves, having just come from Danny's house outfitted with more contemporary clothing and on her way to the YMCA. Ry, having excused himself from the Callisters' house for a short walk around town. They ran into each other on the edge of the Rider-Waite campus, amid the bustle of the college students' lives.

"Have you found a place to stay?" Rylan asked her with a smile.

"The Y, I guess. For now, anyway. How long are we going to be here?"

Rylan shrugged. "Better find out sooner than later, right?"