Cryptic Canticles presents Dracula

Episode Synopsis: Dr. Seward is growing anxious that the Czarina Catherine has not yet arrived. Mina still reports that the ship is at sea. Seward suspects that the ship may be waiting for some fog to clear, but all are ready to hurry to the docks at a moment’s notice.

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Episode Synopsis: Everyone is giddy about the Czarina Catherine being reported in the Dardanelles, except Mina, who by request has not been told, and Jonathan, who is laser-focused on his task of preparing to meet the Count again. Seward and Van Helsing are worried about Mina, who is particularly lethargic that day. Van Helsing says that they need not revisit the idea of euthanizing her unless her teeth begin to sharpen again.

Mina gives the same report as on other days- that the Count is still at sea.

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Episode Synopsis: After a week of waiting, the men have not received any new news via telegram, or from Mina’s hypnotic report.

Rufus Smith sends Arthur a telegram via the Vice Consul that the Czarina Catherine has just crossed through the Dardanelles.

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Episode Synopsis: Arthur has managed to procure assurance that they will be allowed to board the Czarina Catherine and search for the box, which he claimed contained something stolen from a friend. Van Helsing assurs the men that if they dispatch the Count, his body should turn to dust, thus allaying the worry of a murder trial, but they may have to face consequences for their actions. Jonathan is not concerned, as Mina’s soul is his top priority.

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Episode Synopsis: No news of the Count, Mina continues to give the same report that he is still at sea. Jonathan hopes that they will hear of the ship as it passes the Dardanelles.

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Episode Synopsis: The men have arrived in Varna, and settle into “The Odessus” hotel. Arthur checks his telegrams and ensures that the Czarina Catherine has not been seen in port. Van Helsing continues to hypnotize Mina at sunrise and sunset, but her report is always the same- that the Count is still on the high seas in his box.

In the morning, the men will visit the Vice Consulate to arrange to bribe their way onto the boat, hopefully between sunrise and sunset, before the Count can escape, and do away with him while he sleeps in his box.

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Episode Synopsis: At sunset, when Mina is temporarily freed from the vampire affliction that binds her tongue, she gathers the men and asks that should the time come that she turns completely into a vampire, they must promise to kill her the way they did Lucy. All the men agree, except Jonathan, who cannot bring himself to do so. To wrap up the meeting, Mina requests that Jonathan read to her the Burial for the Dead to bring her comfort, to which he reluctantly concedes. Upon the conclusion of the prayer, the sun finishes descending, binding her into silence once more.

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Episode Synopsis: Mina awakens at sunrise and calls for Van Helsing. Rather than request for hypnosis, she explains that she must accompany them on their journey. She believes she will be safer in the care of the many men, and that she can still be useful while under hypnosis. Van Helsing agrees and goes to make the travel plans. The other men compose their wills and put their affairs in order in case this should be the end for them.

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Episode Synopsis: Van Helsing explains the details of their trip to the dock. They met the owner of a ship called the Czarina Catherine which took on a box of dirt, and dealt with a tall, thin man who had very specific desires for the placement of the dirt. He only boarded the ship to check the location of his box when the tide was at it’s fullest, and although no one saw him exit the boat, the loading crew assumes he left at some point. Van Helsing explained that they can stop the boat at Varna, insisting upon doing a specialized customs check, and there dispatch the Count while he sleeps in his dirt. Mina presses again that they might simply let the Count go and not risk themselves, but Van Helsing won’t have it. He explains that even if Mina’s soul weren’t in danger, the Count is different and more powerful than other undead of lore, accounting perhaps to the geography of his homeland. He also states that powers like the Count’s combined with modern discoveries and technology as well as increasing modern skepticism of old supernatural folklore would make him an even greater adversary to those who would combat him as time goes by.

Seward and Van Helsing confer, having both come to the conclusion that Mina is turning and might present a danger to them. If she is able to relay the Count’s movements, so too might she be compelled to relay their movements to the Count. Fortunately, Mina independently came to the same conclusion and elected to remain in the dark before either of the men had to state it openly. In their meeting, the men arrange to leave for Varna so as to arrive no later than one day before the ship docks, arming themselves in preparation for any foe. Van Helsing asks Jonathan to remain in London with Mina and not join them on their journey.

Jonathan worries about Mina’s choice to not partake in the meeting. At exactly sunset, Mina awoke from sleeping and asked Jonathan to promise not to tell her of any details about the Count’s capture. He acquiesces.

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Episode Synopsis: Mina awakens early and calls for Van Helsing to hypnotize her, as she believes she may provide some insight that she is free to disclose. Under hypnosis, Mina reveals the location of the Count, inside his last remaining crate, on a boat that is weighing anchor. Van Helsing revels in the new development that the Count is fleeing England, but reminds all that they must catch him regardless to save Mina’s soul. He leaves Jonathan and Mina back at the house while he, Arthur, Quincey, and Seward go to the docks to learn what they can about the boat that that Count took. Van Helsing believes the Count to be fleeing back to Transylvania. Jonathan and Mina, meanwhile, continue combing through their accounts of the Count, looking for further clues to aid their mission.

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