Ayva moves over to Bobo's cage and scans for signs of tampering or damage. It did strike her as quite strange that the creature would suddenly break free and attack, if it had been docile until now. She wasn't quite sure what to look for though.
Twang drifts off and starts asking pointed questions.
Not knowing the others very well, except that Twang girl seems like a someone worth hanging out with later.
Coco moves to assist Ayva. not being much investigating type, she does try to assist her for anything out of place.
she also looks for signs of someone or something that may have tried to sneak in to free the owlbear.
Poppy moves with the group over to the cage, careful to circumvent the Owlbear, now huffing a labored breathing as it's trainers try to staunch the bleeding. She notices Rei's wary look and it dawns on her what she must've conveyed. "Hey I'm sorry if I came off accusatory there, I kinda get lost in trains of thought sometimes. It doesn't make sense that you'd be involved. "
Ayva turns the lock over in her hands a few times, examining the cut. This did not look like the work of an ordinary vandal - whatever tool was used to make this cut was obviously of fine quality, likely masterwork. She will share her findings with C, and anyone else who is listening.
Twang returns with reports of hioligans and nere-do-wells who were snooping around when the circus showed up. "Hoodlums" they'd been called.
Rei feels the surge of regret, which makes her relax somewhat, although she remains high on alert upon realizing that she had touched the hammer. Touching a weapon definitely wasn't her preferred way at handling a stressful situation, and she feels a little paranoid about the unconscious gesture, but decides to play things off as just a bad feeling.
Coco looks at the lock, then over to the wall. take a look over there. and on top of the cage. some acrobatic fella. more and more like the skills of a master thief.
Ayva looks at the scuff marks as well before moving over to the wall. "The trail leads upwards. I will give you a boost." She cups her hands together and looks to Coco expectantly.
Coco takes the boost up to the top of the cage
plus and aid from Ayva
"What kind of master thief sets an owlbear loose and runs away? What's there to gain from that?"
Coco looks Belinda, the kind that needs a distraction for something else.
With a boost from the mechanical Ayva, Coco crests the wall with only a couple more steps than the previous runner had. A flash of blue and silver showed at the other end of the long roof just long enough for Coco to grab a glance before the blade came whirling across at her.
With inhuman reflexes, Coco manages to ready herself against the attack and not fall back off of the roof. A blade resembling a large shuriken flies at her and strikes just near the shoulder, where her chain shirt was strongest. In little more than the time it took her to flinch, the hooded figure was gone.
The blade now laying at Coco's feet bore engravings of a house crest and the Noxian N, as well as a small roll of paper bound to it.
Rei frowns slightly at the blade suddenly flying out. She would have been more concerned, but then again, the attacker had already vanished, and Rei considered it bad practice to panic over something she had little control over.
Bending down slightly, she looks at the Shuriken before glancing around at everyone else. "Do we think its possible to track this person down based off the quality of this weapon, is it relatively unusual?"
Twang looks concerned. Why would someone deliver a cryptic message like that? Seems lounge so much effort...
"The note is likely meant to goad the assailant's true target into action. They expected the bugbear attack to draw the Vanguard - they did not anticipate our presence."
Ayva turns to Poppy and lowers her voice. "I am going to ask you a question. Please answer yes or no - say no more. Do you know the current location of Garen Crownguard?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Well... no. The Vanguard Should be here but..." She abruptly stops as she realizes that Ayva was serious.
Rei is silent for a moment, before brightening slightly. "We don't need to put anyone in danger if we don't wish to, with my disguise skills second to none, I could pretend to be a valuable target for any assassin by precisely mimicking someones form. That would certainly turn the tables on any assassination I think."
"Unacceptable," Ayva says, pointing out the 'N' on the blade. "This is clearly a military conflict. This means I cannot condone any course of action that would place a civilian in harm's way. I must report to the highest military authority present."
That seems aweful risky... maybe we should tell someone first before we go in to whatever this is head first. Besides, the guy was running. Whatever trap was here is probably gone by now.
Twang seems a little disappointed at her conclusion.
Coco takes in all of this, Hey, I am not really into going to war. and besides, with the exception of Ayva here, We really have no idea who you are. she comments.
then looking to Twang, Well, I know she makes drinks with little umbrellas in them.
[b]besides I agree, reporting to some sort of authority is probably warranted. If we really want to investigate this further maybe some sort of approval from higher ups might be needed.
Rei glares at Ayva. "You didn't complain when I lent my assistance earlier, so don't patronize me now. You have no authority over me, ergo, you cannot really stop me doing this."
Rei pauses for a bare moment before continuing. "That said, objection is noted. I suggest you find an alternative solution - least I put my own into practice. I'm not really in favor of sitting back and watching an assassination proceed as planned."
You can patronize me! Twang perks up like she's been hit with a lightning bolt. I have all kinds of drinks and mixing ready to go along with a variety of small snacks! she gestures grandly to her half wrecked stall.
But I'll totally stay here and support this lady. If she wants you catch assassins I should be there to make sure she doesn't get dead in the process.
Ayva meets Rei's glare, her own expression and tone unchanged. "You are incorrect. I explicitly announced that all civilains should vacate, and you did not. However, I have not been appointed an official position - You are under no legal obligation to obey my suggestions."
"Regardless, I have no intention of 'sitting back'." If Poppy cannot direct her towards the local authorities, she will ask the locals until they can provide the information she needs.
Poppy looks about with a worried expression. "I suppose you're right. I hate to get civvies mixed up in this, but I do think that those of you brave enough to help should follow me. The Manor is housing those of the Demacian court that were to come. If the vanguard is here, that'll be where. If not there should at least be an emissary of King Jarvan by now."
Well then, that almost sounds like we are bein' deputized, so to speak. that would mean we are no longer "civvies" maybe that would but some people's minds at ease.
Coco seems to be trying to be a bit of a mediator at the sense of some increasing tensions.
besides I came here to learn a bit on how to be a monster hunter, but then again getting to the bottom of this could be just as interesting.
"We should head to the Manor then, since its probably our best chance at finding our mystery assassin - assuming he or she didn't flee for good". Rei remarks, deciding that at least checking the place out would be welcome.
Holdrun Manor sits at the North end of town. It's quaint by the standards of capitol city dwellers, but still plenty large enough to house a full Demacian court. Large marble pillars decorate the typical stark white stonework of Demacian noble architecture.
Poppy asks around as you enter, and you overhear that the Dauntless Vanguard has yet to arrive in Shadow's peak. The emissary of King Jarvan III is holding an impromptu meeting on the subject. After some convincing, Poppy gains passage for you all into the meeting to share your findings.
Only three people occupy the heavily guarded room. The current Count of Shadow's Peak, a gnarled looking military officer, and Luxanna Crownguard. Anyone would know that Lux is the sweetheart of the Capitol, sister to Garen, and member of the most prestigious family in all of Demacia, save the crown itself.
After a formal introduction, Lux regards you with piercing blue eyes, and a slightly worried expression "I heard that someone had quelled an owlbear attack in town, and I thank you. However, I am not clear on how this relates to the issue of the Vanguard?"
Twang is currently a little too weak in the knees to answer. She has been ever since Poppy talked them into the meeting. Her cart getting overrun by a crazy animal was a truly terrible start to the day, but that day has quickly turned around in the most extreme way imaginable! She tries to hold in squeaks of delight and is mostly successful. Mostly...
Ayva offers a quick, polite bow to each of the three present. Her movements are slightly stiff, but her intent is clear. "We have reason to believe that the owlbear attack was a diversion, meant to draw the Vanguard and cause chaos. The assailant who freed the creature left a weapon at the scene, as well as a note that indicates an intent to do harm to Garen Crownguard." She will nod for the person holding onto them to step forward and present.
Rei, who had been holding the weapon, observing it right up until they had entered the Manor, chose this moment to step forward, and offer the blade to Lux.
"Technically, it refers just to Crownguard, and doesn't mention Garen by name. So while its extremely likely he is the target, it would be foolhardy to not ensure that you are also safe" Rei offers by way of an explanation to Lux, doing her best to note all possibilities.
Coco pulls the crumpled up note from her pocket, yeah, and don't forget this. she says as she hands it over.
Coco definitely seems impressed by all the grandeur of the place. she is after all a small town hick girl. much of all of this is a bit foreign to her.
Oh yeah, I agree with Ayva here, definitely a diversion. maybe we should go track down the Vanguard, ya know, to make sure all is alright.
"Hmm. On the target, few people know I'm here, and still fewer would expect me to respond to a crisis. Safe to say the target was my brother, though I do see the wisdom in your suggestion. What really concerns me is that the Dauntless should be here. We were led to believe that they were ambushed by a Noxian regiment, however this would seem to suggest that Noxus expected them to be here. Unless..." Lux takes the weapon from Rei and the note from Coco. Turning it over, a curse escapes her lips. "Quite the example of Noxian Diplomacy... This is the crest of Du Couteau. So this wasn't military, but why-
Just then, a bedraggled soldier bursts into the door. "General! A Noxian warband is attacking the town! The guard is being overwhelmed!"
The gnarled man to Lux's left speaks up. "I shall bring the remainder of the regiment to bear. We can ride out immediately. Lady Crownguard, please remain safe in the manor." With that, he turns with a flourish of his cape and strides out of the door without further acknowledgement.
Lux stared daggers at the man's back, but holds her tongue for the moment while the Count's personal guard escorts him from the room with a hurried formality towards your party. A moment after the doors on both ends of the hall close, she addresses you all. "My authority, while legitimate, is not exactly recognized well. If I may be frank with you all, we are spread extremely thin. Noxian warbands are mostly young ones coming of age, attempting to prove themselves. You may know that military Rank or recognized strength is the only form of social ranking in Noxus, and so these seek to achieve their detestable form of nobility." She beckons you all closer and leans over the table, a map of the area is strewn with chess pieces, a makeshift war table. "The Warband is coming from due east, that much we know. I'd wager that their encampment is near here," she indicates a stand of trees with ebony king. "General Ward is going to lead his regiment head on from the city gates like so, but the real key is the officer. The warbands are inexperienced, but there is always one officer there to witness the strength of the newcomers. If we take him down, we should be able to scare off the rest of the band without more bloodshed. I'm sorry to even ask, but Demacia is in an hour of need. As Emissary of King Jarvan III, I extend to you the position of knight in this time of need. Should you accept and succeed in our mission, we will request of the Capitol to make your knighthood official. Will you assist me in this mission to save the lives of the men and women of this city?"
WHAT! YYYYES! Twang jumps and spins in the air. She doesn't remember who she's addressing or where she is until her feet hit the smooth, expensive floor. She freezes in a half embarrassed, half exhilarated pose, but her grin gives away the boundless enthusiasm dancing in her eyes. Ahem. Yes, ma'am. She squeaks.
Ever the pragmatic one, Rei considers the offer. "I don't really think I have the build to be a knight" she remarks, looking down at her slim frame, and giving a wry smile at her slim wrists, before brightening slightly. "I'm rather excellent at infiltration though, maybe I could help get us in or lure the commander out."
Rei chews on her abrupt idea for a moment before remembering the look Lux had fired off. "Lady Lux, you didn't seem to like that man asking you to stay safe in the manor, why don't you come with us?"
When Ayva hears 'Noxian warband' she's already on alert. Just moments after the General leaves, she's already turned around to go after him, taking steady, measured strides towards the door. But the mention of knighthood stops her in her tracks. Up until now, she'd been running headfirst into danger without much thought, but a mission directly from the King's Emissary certainly trumped whatever impulsiveness she felt, no matter how helpful.
Ayva turns back to face Lux and bows again. "I accept this mission."
Lux stifles a giggle at the gleeful yordle, and nods.
"Knight is just the title. I'm certainly not expecting you to go dressed as the dauntless into battle. However, to bring your along, and yes, I fully intend on coming," she adds with a mischievous smile towards Rei, "I need an oath. Do you, for the duration of this task, swear fealty to me as your Lady, and to guard the knowledge and secrets of our esteemed house as they are given you?"
Twand nods so vigorously that her hair softly cracks like a whip once or twice. She mimes zipping her lips and throwing away the key.
Rei isn't as quick to nod as some of the others present, giving the request its fair consideration before nodding slowly in agreement. "I consider that a fair request, and therefore do swear to uphold the tenets of the oath".
"I accept these terms as well. For the duration of this mission, I swear to you."
Coco had been exploring the knick-knacks about the room while listening to what was going on. trying to be inconspicuous. then the offer of being a knight was offered.
I ain't much for titles and such, but someone needs to keep Ayva here from getting all literal, and being a knight seems to be just the thing. so, yeah count me in as well.