Thank you Seraphina, much appreciated
”Very good. Unfortunately we will be going back that way given our current limited options. And I suppose your… friend will be joining us for the night?” Morgana looks at Lady with an unflattering gaze.
”Not to worry my lady, I shall endeavor to remain quiet and unobtrusive. When we exit the building, I shall be more than happy to take my leave.”
”Hello? Is it gone? Is anyone there?”
Morgana and Kal don’t seem to notice.
Tom will take a place behind Kal and lady Ainsworth. “I’m going to take the rear I’ll keep an eye out for a surprise attack on the flank.”
"Hold on," Jean said, moving to the shut door.
"Yeah, the auto has been disabled and we're moving out. Best come out if you want to join us."
Seraphina almost didn't hear it either, and would have wondered why Jean-Guy was talking to the door, but managed to hear what the person on the other side said. "There's someone back there," she explained to the others so there ally looks less crazy.
Abel takes position behind Jean There is someone in there, perhaps we should assist? Seeing Lady again and remembering the groups owed funds Abel tosses her the requisite coin from his satchel . apologies for the late payment, things have been rather busy
Tom will shrug and shout toward to door “Look whoever is back there, I’ve made a real habit out of skewering anything that doesn’t participate tonight! Now I’d rather not waste the arrows, please don’t make me.”
Seraphina sighed. "You don't have to kill everyone we meet, you know."
“believe it or not I don’t want to kill everyone. I also don’t want to die because I was forgiving in a war zone.” Tom flashes a notably practiced and fake smile.
That got a snort out of Jean.
"Please, this ain't a warzone, this is a bad Sunday in Old Fishmarket Near," he said with a flat look.
"Nice hat, by the way."
From what I've seen of this city, it's a very secret warzone. That said, i get where Tom is coming from, paranoia tends to make one think there are enemies around every corner
and he is new to our group, we didn't exactly have time yet to explain we tend to avoid killing people who don't attack us first. While... tactically in optimal, it is appearance wise, better. Now let us move past and figure out the current issue, in a preferably non violent manner Abel says with a practiced calm demeanor and an equally calm smile, It is good to see you Jean, i was worried the worst happened. Thank you for the timey arrival it was appreciated
“Must be a cultural thing. We are not so forgiving across the sea. Maybe there’s something for me to learn from taking a back seat here.” Tom smirks and leans back to observe while still keeping a hand on the quiver that’s hangs from his waist.
”No no! Not enemy! I uh, don’t know what an ‘auto’ is.”
The doorknob rattles open as the party engages in their discussion. The creature that emerges is unlike any native to Calweld. In fact, it’s a strange sight even to Tom. This creature stands at a similar height to the others here but he seems to be very much more monkey-like than man-like. Short brown hair covers his body where short red silk doesn’t do the job. He smiles-perhaps trying too hard in the process-at his rescuers. He doesn’t touch the ornate chained club at his side.
”Thank you very much. My name is Shi-sorry-Prince Mulbhala. You know, that was the strangest thing. I was petting one of your… strange metal dog breeds earlier in the evening and all was well. Then a few moments ago the same one chased me down through the halls. I’ll stay here for the time being. I have guards we hired for the evening. They should be by. Could I have the names of my rescuers first?”
Seraphina looked over to the boss, seeing if she wanted to be associated with what was happening even by proxy. The whole 'threatening a prince' thing wasn't the most diplomatic thing they could have done, after all.
Toms eyebrows perk up at the mention of a prince. But rather than interact with the new figure Tom will survey the area looking for these guards the strange newcomer mentioned.
He also seems somewhat nervous. While he couldn't know who exactly was menacing him through the door, Mulbhala knows that man is probably still here. He might just be behaving in a performative manner; to stay in the good graces of the armed strangers.
”Well either your guards have abandoned you when the going got tough or you’re just saying things to get us to treat you a certain way.” Tom will motion to his allies. “I differ to you all.”
"He's definitely not the sort I've seen causing chaos around here. They looked to be local muscle," Jean said, keeping his eyes moving. They were exposed here and it would frankly be simpler to just haul everyone downstairs and sort out who was who later.
"Helping one more person leave shouldn't be a hassle," Seraphina suggested, not mentioning the obvious second part - if this guy really was a prince of any kind, then having a favor owed would be good. If he wasn't it would be a good look - rescuing people was never bad press.
The Prince looks taken aback by Tom’s suggestion. "That doesn't make sense. My bodyguards were raised by our family to defend the royal line from birth. They have simply not found me yet. I may have... run off when the chaos started. Regardless, I shall remain in this closet waiting for them."
"My employees have decided they will be escorting you Prince Mulbhala. I am Lady Morgana Cirice Ainsworth, charmed."
"What? Did I not say-"
"Hurry along now my good man. Kalvin Savard at your service for the evening. We should get in touch tomorrow, I think tonight could turn out beneficial for us." Lady Ainsworth and Kal begin to usher the monkey prince on the path to exit this major establishment. Mulbhala isn't quite upset as much as he is confused at the turn of events. Morgana remains unfazed by the night thusfar, Prince in a can or no. Kal wastes no time chatting with the young fellow. Lady keeps her distance from the group as a whole.
The party finds little in the way of resistance as they make their way down to floor 25. Jean and Lady were the only two in this group to have been in the ”Devils Dance Floor”.
There inside the nightclub lays darkness. And a shuffling aside from the flat pink-ish floor underfoot.
”Why is it you have a place named after devils? Is that not inviting ill fortune?”
Tom will continue watching the parties flank as he takes the rear in the marching order. “I’ve never seen a devil dance... I imagine it can’t be more terrifying or beautiful than witnessing a god waltz.” speaking quietly as he notches an arrow, nearly expecting something around every corner.
"Depends on the devil, I suppose," Seraphina murmured, considering what she'd been told of her own origins. "But there's no need to dance right now. If the way's clear we can just scoot on by."
"There was an ambush inside when I passed through the last time. Dunno if they've replaced the bodies yet," Jean said, preparing to take point.
"Can someone light it up?"
Sighing a little, Seraphina pulled off the gloves that came with her gown to reveal more of her tattoos, allowing the fire ink to flow out over the dance floor. "If you need it much brighter you'd better keep your eyes looking over the dance floor and not look where it's coming from, but hopefully this will do," she said in bemusement.
Abel listens to the conversation, he cant help but chuckle to himself quietly as he looks forward keeping an eye out for trouble .
Seraphina offers a light for the group as she provides a modest orange glow for those humans (and one other guy) in the assembly who need it. First she and Abel see dark spatters on the smooth floor. Some spent bullet casings paint a picture of battle with the acrid smell in the air. As the light adds color to the scene, something shuffles in the dark over by the booths.
It looks like Bishop as he did before, with two unnerving differences. He is spattered with blood, but perhaps more out of place than that is his voice. Raspier than ever and… with a different accent?
”Smells like blood. Not mine this time.” Lady offers her first words since joining up with the group. Her eyes remain locked onto the booth making its faint commotion.
Morgana begins to listen intently to something.
Tom will draw his bow and point an arrow toward the booth, strafing slightly to one side for a clear shot and then look to his party to see if someone has a plan.
"Cease chanting and come out where we can see you." Jean said, training his rifle on the figure, putting himself between the party and whatever was lurking in the darkness.
"If you need help it shouldn't be a problem, we can probably help if you're hurt," Seraphina called out, trying to tone some of the threat down. It looked like whoever was out there was hurt and confused.
That... is not a language i know.. it... sounds... disconcerting... something from the outer realms for certain Abel's eyes narrow, he takes a calm expression, Analyzing the scene with a trained eye I see something...It cannot be...That can't be Sir Bishop? No, his vocal patterns differ... He is rather bloody Abel is taking a very cautious approach toward the Bishop, ready to strike at the first sign of trouble.
When the party speaks the individual stirs. His face reveals in the dim light, drained of color that didn’t Bishop didn’t seem to have. He steadies himself with his hand but can't seem to find purchase in the blood slick surface. ”That would just be a little prayer… of mine.”
“Tell me what happened Chamberlain.”
“You’ll never believe it m’lady. The police arrived after a murderer was spotted. Shortly after I engaged the Nameless Ghoul the folks of the Hightower house as well as the S.I.U. stormed the room.” Morgana's eyes narrow in such a way that even in this light her demeanor can be seen.
With his next words he seems to come to notice where he is, speaking with clarity.
”My sincerest apologies. I hope the night fares well for you, would Mistress Seraphina be able to aid me in some way? This is mostly my own blood as it happens.” Bishop also offers a light pointed towards the ceiling of this club. A pitch-black hole is broken into the ventilation.
”The damage goes further than that, but I found myself unable to give chase as well.”
Tom will put his back to the party and begin watching the room very carefully. Doing his best to make sure the party doesn’t get ambushed while tending to Bishop. “Glad to see it is you Bishop, did the Hightower party slay the Ghoul?”
Forgot the perception of you need one:
Seraphina nodded, moving forwards and raising her hand to heal the man. Something felt...wrong, but she was compelled to help him even if she wasn't sure it was currently a smart idea.
"Enough, or do you need more?"
"I am well enough now, thank you. To answer your question Mr. Khoh, I doubt they will. The ghoul escaped through the ceiling with the Hightower attendee’s as well as the S.I.U in pursuit. All these years, and his modus operandi remains the same. We had best be on our way." Bishop doesn’t exactly acknowledge Mulbhala. He simply follows Ladys lead and makes way for Lady Ainsworths right hand upon his return.
“I don’t mean to bogart the situation but there’s a sound of scraping metal coming from the vent. If he used it to escape he can use it to return. I believe Mr. Bishop is correct and we need to be moving quickly in a not here direction.” Tom never takes his eyes off the tube in the ceiling and will keep his bow drawn and pointed at the tube.
"Sounds like a plan," Seraphina agreed, looking around for the vents.
"I told them they didn't have much of a chance," Jean muttered to himself as he took point again and began leading the party out of the club. "Good job on not dying, Bishop. I doubt the SIU or Hightowers will be as lucky."
Is there anything we can do to slow him down while he's using the vents? otherwise he'll be able to catch anyone in the building