Galayen turns towards Karva and does a double take,
I wonder if she knows she's wreathed in such magical power... Entirely probably
Shrugging he yells
'I'll be there on a moment, I should at least attempt to put this out.
Rolling his neck he looks around to see how much of an audience he would have....
Judging that the carnage may well be a good enough cover Galayen steps up and prepares his Hydrokinesis, when he sees a black figure descend with children behind and around him... Then.. What the? A small dwarf child is thrown out the window and caught by the figure who then lands rather dangerously...... How do these people operate throwing small children around?
Shaking his head he approached the blaze once more. At the request for help from the black figure
'I can try, is there a source of water around here? I can't do much without a water source I'm afraid.'
He knew that he could just use his hydrokinesis to try and put out the flames but he didn't want to alert the figure to any falsehoods in any rumours he may have heard....
Karva muses to herself cocktails with Galayen, its been a while...
Noticing a scuffle and timid voice addressing her, Karva inclines her head and notices the gaggle of bodies before her, she pouts a little put out that her drink was to wait however she looks again at the group and the left side of her mouth tweaks up in what is generally interpreted as a smile
Why what lovely sharp teeth you have my dear, and such fluffy protrusions, of course you may enter in my opinion but this is not my gilded cage to open the doors to, you must ask her master
She turns to look inside.
my dear you have some interesting guests wishing to enter but I think your antics may be off putting to them, either that or they dislike my appearance
She turns and gives them a piercing stare
They are after all only pint sized and an interesting mix
Well of course they can come in Karva dear, anyone who can see what's really going on is absolutely welcome, and children shouldn't be wandering around outside in this anyway.
Was the strange red-haired woman always leaning against that doorway like that? Who knows? She seems friendly enough anyway, a dapper crimson suit, a fantastic hat and a welcoming smile playing across her lips, the appearance seemingly at odds with the chaos breaking loose in the square.
She kneels in front of the gaggle of kids.
Come on in sweetlings, there's cocoa, bacon and clean clothes awaiting you, as well as a warm bath if you'd like.
She gestures, and the pitch darkness inside the doorway clears as if it were never there, to reveal a comfortable wood-paneled interior, a decent fireplace, some doors marked with various symbols, a bar upon which already stand some steaming mugs and bowls as well as several comfortable looking chairs and large cushions strewn across the floor.
The kids cannot get in there fast enough - and only once they are safely inside does the strange lady turn to Karva.
Dramatic enough for you honey? I'm thinking we save the crescendo for when everybody interesting is inside yes? I promise it'll be worth the wait...
She frowns.
Though they probably should hurry...dear Birchy won't like that I've already put it off this long...and he's so tiresome to deal with when he gets all pissy and righteous.
As she looks up from her kneeling position her eyes seem to smoke with a faint trace of the power currently swarming around the changeling woman, her grin somehow managing to put Sash's fanged mess to shame.
Rising up from the ground she lightly brushes against the wood of the door frame - and the movement of the birds trapped inside the wood reaches fever-pitch, you can hear it now, the roar of the beat of thousands of wings.
She staggers slightly, leaning against the wood for support, her forehead suddenly caked in sweat.
Also...I probably can't hold this much longer anyway...so maybe get them inside real soon or we pick their unconscious bodies off of the floor.
She turns outward and yells,
OI, HEROES, GET YOUR SORRY BEHINDS IN HERE!! IN 20 SECONDS I'M PUTTING EVERY MOTHERLESS BASTARD IN THIS SQUARE TO SLEEP! INCLUDING ANY OF YOU LOT LEFT OUTSIDE!!
FOX, JUMP! I’LL CATCH YOU!
Rini watches with awe, (and perhaps a tiny bit of a crush) as the great cat performs a move with such panache he could have been performing with the national Dwarf Tossing Dance team (as opposed to the more competitive sports team). She stares perhaps a moment too long, because the next thing she knows, burning beams are falling down around her and the Gorgeous Obsidian Claw is shouting for her to jump.
Bugger this for a bunch of bananas. She thinks, transforming into her animal fox form. He can’t drop me if I’m tiny...
She leaps up onto the window sill, and then launches into the air.
No time for flair, sounds like we don’t have long
With a second great leap, The Claw launches himself into Rini’s path and attempts to grab her as he had with Morri...
The Claw grabs the little Fox in midair and holds her tight over his left shoulder, landing, and immediately sprinting toward the pub doors. As he approaches, he shouts to Galayen in a voice that’s barely affected and breathing very hard between words:
I appreciate the thought, friend, but I get the feeling we should be elsewhere! Buy you a drink?
Or...
The Dreaded Obsidian Claw seems almost to take flight, snatching a sailing fox out of the air before twisting into a perfect backwards flip that carries him into a flawless one-handed handstand next to Galayen, he takes the opportunity to deliver his message before flexing into a series of 5 massive somersaults, the last of which flings him through the doors to almost glide onto the seat next to Sash, who has just started a massive mug of cocoa. Depositing a probably rather dizzy fox onto the counter he finds that a drink of his preferred beverage has just appeared in front of him and leans back in the chair like the cat he is.
Because he is the Dreaded Obsidian Claw. And yes. He is just that good.
There was a tumbling swirl of motion and colour, a feeling of nausea, and suddenly she was deposited on the cold wooden surface of... a bar? She looks around taking in her surroundings.
Too many strangers.
Rini generally used her human form and animal fox form as disguises. Very few people knew her human form, and of course she could steal the face of anyone she saw, even for just a moment. This was not general knowledge. It was also not general knowledge that she could transform into an actual fox.
Too many strangers.
This was not the time and place to advertise the fact. Once she gained her bearings, she hopped up onto the Obsidian Claw's shoulder and curled up around his neck. To all the world she was his familiar, and no one need know any different until she chose otherwise.
The glass of Honeymilk - with just enough cinnamon liqueur to turn it red-gold - looks like the greatest thing in the world right now. It’s been a weird day. The Claw pulls a thin, copper tube from his pocket and slips it under his mask, using it to take a long draught from the viscous liquid. An involuntary purr escapes as the drink soothes his dry throat. Setting the glass down again, he reaches up and scratches Rini behind the ears, hoping to help keep her cover intact...
Sash is still very much covered in mud, clearly prioritising chocolate and food over silly things like basic hygiene. The distraction of the chocolate is so great that she almost jumps out of her chair in shock when she finds the Dreaded Obsidian Claw sat next to her.
Still doesn't spill a single drop of the precious cocoa though. That mug may as well be fixed to her mouth.
Slllurrrrppp...
She sets an only slightly quivering mug down with a satisfied clink and a sigh. Looks between her hero and food...Inwardly debates (for maybe a whole second)...Then promptly grabs a bowl full of crispy bacon bits and - rather than eating them one at a time - upends the entire bowl over her face. Grease adds to the general mess her head was already in - but from the munching sounds emanating from behind the porcelain she likely couldn't care less.
Rini gives a delighted little chunter at the gentle touch, and then flushes red (not that one could see) at her primal response. She gives a deep sigh of pleasure, inhaling and... bacon!
She sits up abruptly, using the big cats head as a platform to rest her front paws upon, giving her extra height as her amber eyes dart all over the room until she spies the delicious meaty substance.
BACON!
With two bounds, she drops from head, to shoulder to the bar, and begins hoovering up the stray bacons bits that have escaped Sashes bowl in her hurry. She quickly runs out, and her stomach gives a growl of displeasure.
Rini sits back on her haunches and gives a loud pathetic whimper.
There is a bowl of bacon in front of Rini. It was not there before.
Rini falls upon the bowl of meat like a starving animal (which is a pretty accurate description in hindsight) and starts to eat. She chomps it down with great enthusiasm, not at all caring if her display of animal behaviour is putting anyone else off their food.
As she is licking the last traces of grease from off the bowl, a realisation catches up with her. The bowl had definitely not been there before. She would have eaten it immediately had it been.
She sits up, ears twitching, eyes sweeping methodically around the room, all her senses are straining for... what? She’s not sure, but she suddenly feels uncomfortable and exposed, so she retreats to the Obsidian Claws shoulder, watching.
The Claw hasn’t really questioned where the food and drink are coming from, but does look around to survey his surroundings. He also debates how to eat any of the food without having to lift his face and put his mask on... In a gentle but still deep voice, he turns to the Strix and says:
Sash, this is a safe place, and I’m on your side. What were you all doing in that room? Do any of you have families?
'Im afraid my drinks are already spoken for in this particular instance....i'm also not sure you're my type, although you're certainly athletic.'
Galayen shrugs and turns his back on the blaze, looking out over the fighting he notes with satisfaction that some others in his.....line of work are getting their faces bashed in.
'This is why I don't get mixed up in a large crowd' Looking over at the crowd gathering in the bar 'Generally at least'
He makes his way across to the pub entrance careful to not get pulled in to the mêlée.
Once stood by Karvas' side Galayen affects a deep bow
'How about that drink? You did promise a good cocktail after all' Galayens mouth twitches upwards as he straightens and enters the bar.
et voila here they all are, it's like magic... and yes a sufficient level of drama for me, thanking you muchly
Karva reaches behind her with the cane and flicks the doors shut with careful precision and heads to the bar, sweeping her dress behind her she straddles the closest bar chair and proceeds to look at the muddle of food children and animals before her
now about that drink...
The bar handles the drinks dear, I’m more of a...showmanship type myself. Speaking of, now the gangs all here...
She takes her hand off of the roiling wood, there is a moment of utter silence, anticipation, and the empty air around the pub is suddenly full of birds of every shape and size, swooping and diving, calling and cawing, the racket they raise speaks of utter chaos and yet they move with a chilling singularity of purpose, rising above the mob (all of whom can most certainly see this by the way) until it almost brushes against the 50m high ceiling, the shade of the massive edifice casting all their forms into shadow.
At least...it should be that, right? The cloud of birds is getting darker anyway. Darker and less...divided, it becomes harder and harder to see an individual bird in the raucous mess above everyone’s heads, what had been a formless mass of bodies contorts and stretches, forming massive wings of black, a great beak and evil looking talons.
The wings sweep downwards, a blackness follows in their wake, a blossoming of darkness sweeps over the burning building and snuffs it as easily as a child would a candle, retribution for the crime of daring to shed light into this world. Atop the apparitions head appear two mad staring eyes of deepest crimson. The transformation complete the monstrously huge Jackdaw opens its gigantic beak and...
Nothing.
You hear nothing. All sound has quite literally ceased to be.
Clearly this is not the case for those outside the bar entrance, to a man they have clapped their hands to their ears, many have already collapsed to the ground where they writhe in (to you) silent agony. The torture is blessedly short at least, nobody in the crowd is moving after the first few seconds.
Almost nobody anyway...
Well I’ll be...
Birch stands alone in a sea of unconscious bodies, swaying yes, but standing, that mighty charger alongside him, itself seemingly unaffected by anything. He raises his head as...whatever that was comes to an end and the huge bird drifts apart into nothingness, smoke on the air.
Slowly, oftentimes leaning on his lance for support Birch makes his way over to the bar owner, a slow but triumphantly smug grin appearing on his beaten face at her stunned expression. He stops just a few feet away from her, raising an all-knowing finger as if to say...
Told you...I could take it...Blaise...
His bloodshot eyes sweep over the lot of you, though his injuries make it nearly impossible to tell what he is thinking, he makes as if to say something, then evidently thinks better of it and turns back to Madeline - who seems to be veering wildly between stunned disbelief, tremendous respect and a gigantic tantrum at her trick apparently being ruined.
Maybe...next time...you try having...a little faith...in me...eh? Told you...people...they can always...always surprise you...if you...let them...
I’ma...gonna go...rest now...kay? Just a little...snooze...rest my...eyes...
Said eyes roll back in his head as he topples backwards...
And Madeline catches him. A very strange expression on her face...
You are...easily one of the most infuriating people I have ever met.
She rants to a currently snoring Birch.
You knew it was coming, you could have just shut your eyes, let the dreams in and gone to sleep with nary a worry...but no...no you tank walking barefoot through a field of needles and naked in the burning woods so you can stand there with that bloody grin in front of me and prove a damned point. Well...fine.
She hefts the man onto a waiting Thunder, pulling a silk handkerchief out of nowhere to wipe the worst of the blood off of his face. Not gently.
Point well made you bloody shining bloody thrice damned hell-blasted idioticly suicidal example of a good man. Point well f@~!ing made. We’ll discuss this once you manage to pull your no doubt scrambled brains back together. Until then I have my own jobs to do.
She nods respectfully to the horse.
Take him home please Thunder, no need to be that gentle, it’s only his brain.
As the horse trots away she turns back to you guys, apparently oblivious to the way tears are streaming from both her mismatched eyes, heaves a big sigh of frustration and...
WELL!! That...did not go entirely as planned. Still, riot’s over, you’re all here, I believe I promised at least one of you a drink, we have some time and I’d rather not fill the kids heads with business talk so...let’s have us a chat.
She leaps over the bar and thumps her fist down onto it, there’s a little twinge in the air and the other bar door swings shut as an example of everybodies currently most desired beverage pops into existence in front of them.
I’m Madeline Blaise. Lovely to meet all of you. You all saw the dreams, which means this cranky old thing likes you, which means you’re people I want on my side.
So...
How about we start with introductions? I’ve met the lovely Karva already...hey, how about you Kitsune girl? What’s your name? Or you tall dark and masked? What’s your game? Or how about you Mr. Blue and Blood? What’s your...pain?
Rini cocks her head to one side and looks at the lady with an incredibly foxy expression. Surely not a Kitsune, but a fox familiar.
In his best affected gravel voice, with a respectful bow:
The Obsidian Claw, at your service. The “Dreaded” part only really comes into it if you get on my shit-list, and after de-fanging that riot, we all seem to share a common goal here. Not usually partial to teamwork, but I’ll give it a shot if it helps the people here
He raises a glass to the assembled
For justice!
Turning to Rini
This little fox has taken a liking to me, and I can always use more eyes on a job... Especially when they’re good at spotting hidden things.
Speaking of...
The Claw fixes an empty mask eye socket on the tiny red creature
Run home, little fox...
Rini takes the opening the Obsidian Claw has provided her. It’s time to get into this conversation, and she needs a mouth that talks.
She leaps straight off his shoulder and disappears behind the bar.
Once out of sight, Rini enters stealth mode, She doesn’t want them to see where she is going. She’s on the hunt for the fabled bathtub. Following the edge of the room, she sneaks past Madeline into the back room, where she quickly locate the bathroom.
She sneaks inside and transforms....
Maybe five minutes has passed when she returns to the bar, drying her hair in with the towel.
Hi Madeline what did I miss? Who are these people?
She winks at the Claw.
Looking at the man who introduced himself as the claw Galayen frowned.
'I don't recall sharing my goals with you, however, as I'm here I would hear what the owner of this establishment has to say. That is not to say that I am averse to working as part of a team. There is very little I would do for free though.'
Eyeing the drink that materialised before him suspiciously he added
'Or a cocktail I'd drink without seeing it made...
Galayen looked over the children and noted that the small orange creature had disappeared.
Shrugging Galayen figured it had been another messenger or perhaps a pet to the claw since he had rescued it from the fire... he never did see if the other would be hero had made it out though.., he hadn't seen her enter.....
Upon seeing Rini enter the room from behind the bar Galayen grew suspicious.... he had not seen her enter or get past him from the blaze....
The Claw raises his drink in a salute.
You made efforts to quench the blaze, that’s enough for me to know we’re on the same page about keeping things sane down here. Aren’t many in Quartz who’d risk being singed for others. Even if they are being paid to. Though I’ve still to catch your name.
Rini flips the damp towel onto her shoulder, and grins at the blue man who seems to be eyeing her suspiciously. Confidence is everything in these situations.
A large chocolate milkshake with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles appears on the bar next to elbow. Her eyes widen as a cherry pops into existence on top.
I really like your bar lady! She says to Madeline, taking a long and loud slurp from the curly straw that also seems to have appeared.
The cocktail disappears with a puff of smoke, to be replaced by all its base ingredients, an empty glass, a mixer and a small note that says, in common:
Then make it yourself blue boy.
Madeline claps her hands at Galayen’s statement of not working for free, a wicked smile dancing across her lips.
A man after my own heart. Rest assured my good sir, I would never ask someone to follow one of her ladyships schemes for free - although I should probably stress that you won’t exactly be getting an hourly wage either...
The smile becomes a grin.
More like...engaging in wealth redistribution. I promise it will be fun, and if you aren’t rich by next week then I am not doing my job very well.
Her gaze turns to Rini. The smile softens slightly. There is a huge conspirital wink.
I like it too my absolutely 100% human friend who was in the bathroom before everyone else got here and whose name I have yet to know. I like it very much indeed. Though I probably should point out that it isn’t my bar. Her ladyship built this place quite some time ago. I’m merely looking after it.
Next, the Claw. There is no smile for this, rather an intense curiosity, tinged with perhaps a hint of sadness...
The dreams whispered about you, Mr. Dreaded Obsidian Claw. I had a feeling about what you might be...but I couldn’t be sure until I saw you in the flesh. It takes a special kind of person to tear themselves in two like you have. More special still to survive the experience. Don’t worry, I won’t ask too many questions about it, I know how your kind works.
Finally to Karva. The cocky grin back to full force.
Was it a good show dear? I’d hate to prove your cards wrong. You didn’t give me much to work with in our previous conversation, but you outright swam in the magic out there and you aren’t a screaming mess on the floor so...well. I can only promise that no matter what happens, things will not be boring.
She flicks her eyes over to the children, all of whom are still gleefully munching away, and claps her hands to get their attention, the food they had been enjoying vanishing at the sound.
Now sweetlings, you can have more food later but the nice human girl is finally out of the bathrooms so it’s time to go get washed and changed into some fresh clothes. Don’t worry, the walls will help. Oh, not you Sash, the others will be fine for a bit. Mr. Claw asked you a question...and I’d be interested in knowing the answer.
Seeing his time for a lead on the Slither den has come, The Claw takes his seat again next to Sash. Though his face can’t show it, his body language is gentle and his poise suggests sympathetic concern.
Rini gave an extra long slurp, finishing her milkshake with a burp. She grinned at Madeline, figuring she knew more than she would like, and internally grateful to her for playing along. Keeping her advanced shifting abilities secret allowed her to live her double life of doting sister and expert thief without ever entwining. She was not keen to display those powers to a room of strangers.
Still, this sounded like the offer of a job, and some trust would be needed if she was to work with these people.
I'm Rini, she told no one in particular, and the water is wonderfully warm, kids you should really take advantage!
Quick layout, bar, no bottles or anything because evidently does not need them, big bathroom behind bar, otherwise 3 doors. One yellow - marked for privy. One blue, marked with a bed and one red, hanging sign on handle says “do not open”. Also - odd thing, there is a doorframe in one of the walls. Literally sticking out of the wood. No opening, no door, just a frame.
As said before main area is littered with comfy chairs, stools, cushions etc.
Delightful show my dear, best I've seen in some time, better even than my old pops I'd wager. I thank you but such displays (although on not so grand a scale) are not unknown to me
Karva almost unconsciously takes out a deck of cards and begins to shuffle as she settles into her seat and sips the fine beverage before her, fingers expertly flicking the cards about between her hands.
Now, what misadventure was it that you wanted us on your side for?
Upon reading the note Galayen smiled to himself and stretched out his fingers.
This is more like it! He thought to himself before measuring out the ingredients with practiced ease, this particular cocktail being one that he had improved upon with time and had to instruct every bar tender he had come across on how to properly make it.... Not one had ever gotten it right.....
Upon finishing his mix Galayen took a surprisingly elegant sip and sighed to himself contentedly.
Turning to Madeline he raised an eyebrow
Her ladyship? Who might that be?
Grinning savagely I have no problem with a... Redistribution... of the wealth so long as it evens the scales. Though I'd be a fool to go in blind, I too would like to hear the particulars.
Her Ladyship... I have an inkling. Now, Sash, quickly before business gets too serious here. Where can I find the guy who kept you locked in that attic? Even just a description will do...
Rini's human ears prick up in an oddly foxy fashion. She is certainly interested in wealth redistribution as long as some of it is redistributed into her pockets.
She gives a short nod of agreement and cocks her head to one side to show she is listening. Her glass is also refilling much to her delight.
The floor is yours young lady, don't worry, nobody here will hurt you.
Sash is clearly very nervous at being put on the spot like this, but nonetheless she climbs up on to the bar and sits down, casually brushing what looks to be carefully applied charcoal dust from the back of her right hand. She holds her left over it momentarily, then sighs and lets it drop, revealing a small and crude tattoo of a running rat.
I...I'm a Rat. The others aren't...and they don't know. It was the Rats who got us the job, we help each other when we can. I needed money. My Dad can't work anymore after what happened and we were going to starve so...
They said it was easy. And it was. I didn't even know what we were making at first. And we made way more money than I ever thought I could - that's what got the others involved, they all said they needed the money as well. Though I think Gon just wanted to get out of his house...he wasn't really good at pretending to be a human.
We...we weren't trapped exactly. I normally came and went by the window anyway and the grate was to keep adults out, not us in. The bosses men would throw me the key when it was time to collect, they had to or we couldn't bring it down for them.
That...that was kind of what clued me in about what it was. They never came upstairs, not once, always looked nervous when the grate was open as well. One time Laenan dropped a bottle on the floor and it broke, I thought we were in for a beating but when I looked up they'ed all run away and nobody came back to the house for days.
So I...
She looks up from staring down at her hands, her eyes glimmering with regret yes...but not guilt.
I followed them once. Up in the air. Black feathers are pretty useful for that. They went to one of the pillars, met a man there, a rich one. Gems and silks and holding his nose. He's from Topaz, they show it off a lot more than Opal does.
I heard "Slither delivery," and "my clients pay through the nose to crawl through the gutter," and then I had to go before they saw me. So I knew it was Slither after that...
Defiance creeps in past the complex emotions and cautiously raises a flag.
And I knew they were selling it in Topaz and I knew I was making enough money from them this last word is more of a growl than any real speech to keep my family alive and not have to go to bed hungry every night and not have to explain to any more kids that their parents aren't coming home anymore because they died trying to keep you fed and...
Her wings flare out, fangs flash, clawed nails dig into wood...
But the promised violence fails to materialise. Instead, tears carve twin rivulets down the mud on her face and what just seconds ago looked like a big ball of savage hate becomes a young girl crying her eyes out.
It's no...not...not fair. I tr..tri..tried to think of something I could DO but I just HATED them so much and-and-and they never tried to help us so why...?
She looks up, her face a mess of snot and running mud, almost seeming afraid to look anyone in the eye but...still not guilty.
I don't...I don't know why I did it. I had to keep working but I couldn't stop thinking... So I found some stuff out. His name is Gregory Gefallow, he's got a house on Topaz, I don't know where. But one of his guards used to be one of us...I mean a Rat. Before he got too old I guess. He's called Garth. I don't know what I was going to do but...I wanted to do something and...
A sudden chiming sound from the wall nearly causes her to jump out of her skin.
A small shining light gleams upon the blank eastern wall, emitting a strange chiming noise as it gently pulses.
It sweeps into motion, moving faster than the eye can see and leaving a glowing line in its wake. In mere seconds it becomes clear what the light sketches - a map. Of Topaz to be precise, one of incredible detail. Once that finishes it changes again, the light dancing in place next to a particular house on a particular street, ghostly letters float into being atop the whole thing.
Request acknowledged. Target Found.
In spite of his burning curiosity about the map, The Claw realises that a scared child has risked a lot for information that could make a real difference. Walking over to the bar, he did the one thing no-one would expect from a walking nightmare; gave the scared Strix girl a hug.
You did great, Sash. We're going to make things better down here, you have my word. I was in your position once. You're more brave than you know.
His voice was almost gentle.
Sash freezes momentarily at the unexpected contact, then collapses into the hug. Tears and mud stain the outfit of the Dreaded Obsidian Claw...but perchance he figures it totally worth it to hear the aching sobs of utter relief as Sash realises that her hero is very much on her side.