The fairy smiles as the Vixen and Wendy walk back to the table. She notices the Vixen's heels seem magnetized as they clack along the floor, but she says nothing of it.
"Did you enjoy your swim, Miss Vixen?"
Of course the fairy knows this to be the case. She could feel the Vixen's joy as she swam in her evolved form, gills and fins adding to the pleasure of a proper swim—and even the glamered armor surely felt as if a part of the woman's own flesh.
The fairy suspects her earlier bath in the soup bowl gave the Vixen the urge.
She asks that via magical whisper, to which the Vixen replies, True, Cutie. But me swim was for a purpose, and I was successful. I've the permission to use me powers on the hunt—and that extends to yers as well. I also learned o' something else.
The fairy did feel a disturbance in the Vixen's absence, this it is no surprise that there is news.
In fact, the negative emotion came at an odd time. The fairy felt a deep feeling of love—not the feeling she detects when the Vixen gazes lustfully upon her married straight friend, not the curiousness about any prospect regarding the doctor (of which it appears there are none), but true love—the love felt when Miss Vixen prays for dear departed Victoria Finn, but this newer, ever-growing love is arguably stronger—still accompanied by a hint of sadness, but also a glimmer of hope.
The fairy feels that now too... but earlier, she felt that deep love, followed by nauseating disturbance. Something flat out offended the Vixen, and the offense grew worse, bubbling into a rage. The Vixen conceals this well, but she is a dormant volcano as far as Fashion Bug is concerned.
Very concerned.
Don't be, the Vixen reassures her. We enjoy the meal, hear Uncle Henry's speech, and when the party's o'er, I'll tell ye what's eatin' me.
Given all her talk about finally starting work as a crime-fighter, Fashion Bug wonders what isn't eating Miss Vixen.
The doctor ain't! the Vixen thinks to her fairy friend.
Then she snort-laughs aloud.
Fashion Bug blushes, both embarrassed by the piggish giggle and piggish word-play, a jest she hopes was told to her telepathically.
"Gesundheit, Miss Vixen."
The fairy smiles innocently, not entirely certain that her words effectively covered up her friend's faux pas.
Laughing at your own joke? Indeed, Miss Vixen.
Caledon’s row boat touched the shore just as the reached the beach. The swells were getting rough and he’d nearly capsized before landing. One shore he produced a small replica of chest which he fixed to the leg of one of the two large falcons accompanying him.
”Find somewhere to roost, stay out of sight but keep an eye on the manor. Be safe.
Grabbing his luggage from the boat, he made his way up the path through the garden but stopped before knocking. He turned to the other Falcon
“Now that I can see the grounds in person, I want you to investigate that pit then keep an eye the manor and gardens. Keep as high as the storm lets you. Do not get into a fight. Flee from danger immediately. If the storm gets too bad find somewhere to roost. Keeping safe is your number one priority.
As the Falcon left him alone on the porch Caledon removes a scroll from his bag, shielding it from the wind and rain as he reads it. As his eye scan the last word, the ink transforms into brick dust which he flicks into the air. The red dust cloud hangs unnatural in the air as the wizard begins to see and hear a stream of scenes and pieces of conversations from the last four hours projected into the cloud. The scenes flash by too quick to identify individual actors or speakers but as he focuses a narrative forms in his mind.
He nods thoughtful at this, then turns the parchment over to read the runic script on the other side. This time as he reads, the ink of each word becomes a fine filament of molten copper. The filament coalesces into single copper coin at the center of the parchment. He picks it up, presses it to his forehead and says “N’owe”
He then uses the door knocker to announce his arrival
The snipints of sounds swirl around you as you gather information from the past four hours. You conclude that a few arguments and general discomfort was shared in the last two hours,( the boat and dinner ) and you pick up a few things before the guest arrived. You can tell that something was being set up before you arrived and a argument (most likely between a servant and one of your hosts) took place. The strangest snippet was the constant questions about "if it will work"? From multiple different voices. Flashes of exotic animals and strange machines fill your vision and the last thing you see is a looming shadow and a low growl, then the vision ends.
Your falcon fly's thought the onslaught of rain and over the pit. As it stares down inside it sees around 40 dogs, large black beasts, laying over one another. The bottom of the pit is made of steel and a large drain sits in the middle, making sure the pit doesn't fill with water.
You stand in the rain when...
... The door creaks open and you find a gun to your chest.
Standing on the other side of the door is a small man wearing a baby blue suit and white knuckling a single shot pistol. He has a receding hair line and a set of large, scared, eyes. Over his shoulder you spot the Vixen walking down a flight of stairs with Dr. Amp.
Despite the long amout of time and many resources, info on the Patchwork Island inhabitants seems to be rather sparse.
Shivers: Todd Shivers seems to have been working for Splorer for over thirty years. He seems to have come from a long line of butlers and head maids who have worked for many noble families. One of the people you interviewed was a assistant to a famous doctor, who revealed that the Shiver family had served the Darrk family for the last three generations, but it seems the Darrk's rather... Unusual tendencies left permanent physiological scars on the poor man. He has no criminal record or even a hint of controversy.
The Vixen descends the steps, Wendy at her side until she completes the escort back to the doctor's seat. "Thank ye for a lovely time," she says in a conspiratorial whisper. A lustful look in her masked emerald eyes belies the demure curl of her smile.
The Vixen notices the door is ajar. She does not notice Shivers holding a gun to the visitor's chest, or so it appears to anyone attempting to get a read on her contradictory micro expressions.
A radiant winged figure rises from its perch on the Vixen's freckled shoulder.
Upon closer inspection, the Vixen's companion is a girl (or woman?), mere inches tall with glittering dragonfly wings.
Her voice is like a tiny bell as she greets the visitor by name.
"A pleasure to meet you, Sir Whitetree. I remember you from Crystalhue after you defeated an abominable creature. I was unable to properly introduce myself at the time, but my name is—"
The fairy's polite demeanor remains, even has her voice momentarily falters.
"When I am in this state, you may refer to me as Fashion Bug. And this is the Vermilion Vixen," she says of the redhead walking alongside her, stiletto heels clacking as woman and fairy join the emotionally-disturbed butler.
"Vix or V.V. for short'll do," she says to Caledon.
She then turns to Shivers (still not addressing the gun—if she's aware of it—though how could she not be?). She assures the butler, "He's with me." Then with a stammer, "Wellimean—not... with me." Her composure returns in a snap, "Uncle Henry's arranged a room for—"
The Vixen trusts her fairy friend has the name right. She's not sure about the title, but runs with it anyway.
"—Sir Whitetree."
Caledon stood in the doorway, the rain splashing off his dark poncho as took in the shaking grip on the pistol and fearful expression of the man wielding it.
“I won’t let anyone hurt you. You are safe while I’m here.” He said low enough that only the butler would hear.
He held the mans gaze for a moment and then looked up at the approaching sprite and the women accompanying her.
“The pleasure is mine Lady Fashion Bug and I’m happy to finally meet you as well Mistress Vixen. ‘Caledon’, is fine. No chivalric order that would have me as a member would be worthy of joining.”
The wizard shifted slightly to include Vixen, Fashion bug, Shivers and Wendy Amp in the cone of his detect thoughts spell.
The Vixen is oblivious to Cal's magic, and his spell easily sees past the her facade.
Her mannerisms around Dr. Amp suggest the two have become fast friends. There is some truth—she finds her fellow redhead to be attractive, and she still wants to like her—as a friend, not a lover.
But something the Doc said deeply offended her. Slavery. That is the topic that the Vixen is deeply troubled by. Her sense of justice compels her to act... but when? How? Who can she trust?
Like fineprint, the fairy's tiny brain is nigh impossible to read.
It seems that Shivers is, in fact, a real person. But as you enter his mind you are bombarded with fearful and aggressive thoughts. They swirl around and lap over each other in a panicked, disjointed, way. It will take a bit of time to start to discern them.
Your words of comfort seem to work, as the butler's face goes from pale to bright red, then back to pale. He fumbles to slip the gun into his jacket and drops it on the floor. It lands with a click. It wasn't even loaded! Shivers bends over and picks it up before stammering out,
"M-my deepest apologies M-master Whitetree... I, er, we, er, Master Splorer had assumed you weren't coming... It was just... Er, well, precautions... I'll um, go make sure your room is prepared... Unless o-of course, you require something? "
He talks to you as if he wasn't twice your age. His hands roll over each other as he fidgits around and he seems to be advoiding eye contact. At least you got him to speak.
The Darrk Family
It doesn't take long to place the name. The Darrk's are almost an urban legend! No one knows for sure how or when the got the money, but the current rumor is that their founder was a ruthless warlord who would impale his foes on a pole and drink their blood! Another rumor states that the patriarch was a asylum doctor who would torture and brutally murder his patients. Whatever the back story the Darrks are a rather odd bunch. The current head of the family is Neville Darrk, who is said to run around the manor at night, nailing the doors and windows shut.
Its rumored that the entire house is plagued by ghosts and curses, and the Darrk family motto, "What is normal for the spider is calamity for the fly" doesn't help.
You can only imagine what went and goes on in that house...
Your magic is able to ping both the Vixen and the doctor at the same time, and although you are able to read the Vixens mind, the doctor's hits you like a ton of bricks.
Your mind fills with a low humming noise and you realize you can't even detect an inkling of thoughts from Dr. Amp.
Suddenly a loud beeping fills the air...
The beeping seems to come from the doctor, who stops mid step and whirls around. All signs of dreamy thought have left her face, now replaced with what looks like barely contained anger.
She quickly walks towards the door as she removes something from her coat pocket. It looks to be a metal rectangle with a small glowing blue light on it. The strange object seems to be emitting the beeping noise.
As she stops in front of Caledon, Shivers gulps, whimpers, and then slinks it to the shadows. The doctor quickly glances up and down Caledon and say curtly,
"Dispel it. Immediately."
Info coming soon!
Without comment Caledon attempts to snatch the device from Amp. Twice.
The Vixen thinks, Okay... this guy'll be an ally in rescuing slaves. But he's not very subtle. They'll suspect him at every turn—and me as well if I give meself away.
The tiny fairy is taken by surprise at the sudden aggression! She clings to the Vixen's wild red curls instinctively, though she looks ready to flit straight up out of the potential fray—
You suddenly snatch the device from her hand and she lets out a small yelp as she accidentally falls backwards!
Suddenly you can 'see' her thoughts. Panic. Surprise. and a deep want to throttle you...
@FashionBug
You suddenly feel a sickening smell wash over you and you fell as though you've been hit by a blizzard...
The doctor quickly scrambles back and lets out a distressed shriek! Her eyes burn with anger and confusion!
Clairvol slips out from under the doctors coat and hisses...
The Vixen takes a swift step, positioning herself between Dr. Amp and Caledon. "Can ye keep yer pet under control, Doc? Let me use me fairy's power to calm our guest."
She has no way of knowing Cal is reading her mind, but the look she gives him says: The spell's harmless.
Ironically, Cal already knows the Vixen's harmless spell is Message, and she's casting it so Cal can read her thoughts!
After casting, she thinks to him, Give it back. If we can calm things down, we'll not get kicked off the property. There's a much bigger problem here. Before I tell ye, how's yer poker face?
She asks this so Cal won't further escalate the tension with a look of disgust when she reveals the existing slavery issue... which Cal knows of already from the Vixen's own thoughts!
Fashion Bug zips straight up out of the way. She holds her action for now, but is prepared to cast a harmless spell if need be.
For now, she warns the Vixen: Without the remote control, I can sense an evil aura around the Doctor. It is rather overwhelming.
Caledon casually tosses the device back to Wendy. "Stop that bleating. I'm here to hunt serious game, not an underfed mountain goat."
As the doctor grasps at the device, all magical connection with her turns off. Her face is bright red, but out of embarrassment, anger, or fear? It was hard to tell...
Clairvol backed up slightly, his beady red eyes darting all around...
A more astute observer would notice that he keeps pawing at his collar.
@VV
You had never seen your "Uncle" like this before. The closest thing you remember to him getting mad was when you and Vikki played to close to the piranha pond at Henry's old house. He had scolded you both for a bit, but was mostly relieved nothing bad happened.
But this... This was completely different...
@Cal
Of course, you have studied each of the guests to the best of your ability.
Noah T. DeVill: You have heard of the controversy around this man before, but never looked into it in till you got hold of a guest list. Although nothing has been proved, he has been put on trial for tax evasion, twice. Their are also countless rumors about shady business deals, bribes, and corporate assassinations. You learned that he is twice devoiced and has no children. He also seems to be slightly paranoid, due to the fact that he changes his place of resident yearly and never let's out he schedule to anyone except his closest staff.
Abbott H. Minkins:You managed to figure out that their is a lot more to Mr. Minkins than it seems. He graduated from Applegate University with top marks in economics AND was a consultant for many (now) large companies! It took countless hours of digging though evidence and interviewing people but you turned up and major surprise! It seems that Abbott Minkins actually own half of DeVill Firearm Co. And was one of it's founders! Minkins is and was never married and has no children.
More soon...
The Vixen says, "Just a simple misunderstanding that got complicated, and escalated quickly. I suggest we all have a seat and cool down.
"But this is yer home, Uncle Henry. Only ye've a say in who still has a place at yer table."
Given the Vixen's Mockingbird talent, she is able to whisper inaudibly without a tell-tale quiver on her lips.
Henry and Amp're slavers, Cal. Better to know where to find their slaves and have a rescue plan before I reveal whose side I'm on.
Ye do want to free the slaves, don't ye?
The wizard acknowledges Vixen’s messages with slight smile.
“Yes. An unfortunate cultural misunderstanding.”
Caledon calmly removes a tobacco pipe from his rained slicked poncho which is now leaving a puddle on the floor.
“You see, In Rooftopolis…and most other civilized societies…one Arcane practitioner aggressively rushing into touch range of another is presumed to be the initiation of a duel. Doing so while wielding an unknown magical device warrants lethal force.”
Caledon produces a pinch of tobacco and inserts it into the end of his pipe, as if a mad man wasn’t waving a gun.
“Being an incredibly clever man, I realized that Miss Amp must simply be unaware of our customs. Thus, rather than transmuting her bones to acid…as was my right…I simply disarmed her for everyone’s safety.”
Caledon points toward Wendy with the butt of his pipe.
“As you can see, I returned the device once she retreated and assumed a less aggressive posture. Vara.” As he the says that last word, his finger ignites like a match which he uses to light the pipe.
“I suppose I could be wrong. Maybe Wendy knew exactly what she was doing. It could be that she had absolute confidence that that device made her the most powerful person in the room. Confident in her power, and confident that that power gave her the right to treat anyone however she pleased.”
He pauses to take a puff of his pipe.
“Of course, it that were true I’d certainly be suspicious of her employer – currently waving about a rifle in a crowded foyer while having an apoplectic fit “
Speaking to Madam Zulu, he raises his voice slightly. “Don’t worry my lady, If anything untoward were to happen…” he makes a slight sweeping gesture with his pipe to include Hank, Lance and Frogmouth “…I’m sure these gentlemen would do their civic duty.”
@Cal
As you survey the scene you don't seem to notice any other dangers than the obvious one. From what you can tell Henry nor Amp are wearing armor of any kind.
From what you can tell from the gun, it seems to be well made but nothing particularly special. It even has a few chips and other signs of wear.
Info
Sir Henry E.X. Splorer: This has been the man that much of your mind has been devoted to for a while. After countless nights and innumerable interviews, you've learned all there is to know about this man. His full name is Henry Edward Xaiver Splorer. He is currently 72 years old and he has never been married, nor has he had a romantic relationship of any kind. He seemed to have amassed his fortune partially though his family and partially through his hunts. He is often regarded as a pleasant and caring man, but there are many reports describing his hair-trigger temper (although only one ended with physical violence). it seems that he served time in the army, being the first and only member to have the role of 'sniper'. He seems to enjoy hunting bigger and more dangerous animals, graduating from lions and rhino to drakes and owlbears about 3 years ago.
The major thing that sticks out are his private hunts e host yearly on his island. Although the first few were covered extensively you find that the third and fourth ones raise concerns. The first two hunts had complete gust list, featuring famous and influential people, but the third one was barely covered by the newspapers, and the fourth even less so. The guests who were mentioned in the papers concern you as well...
Sir Casby Watter was a notable lord and philanthropist, who is still missing. all investigations into Henry and others have gone cold.
Penny Abble, an activist for worker rights, came back from the island very different, quitting her role in the movement and later killing herself.
Lastly, Director Percival Valentine, esteemed director of the Valentine Psychiatric Hospital and the only guest mentioned in the papers of the fourth party, was brought back to the mainland dead, shot through the heart in a hunting accident.
Its no wonder you are on guard and well prepared when you arrived.
Caledon's words seem to have little effect on the Madam.
"Well I quite hope they would! Especially when it comes to strange men barging in and harassing women!"
Although the Elf and Dwarf seem to simmer down after they hear your side of the story. Frogmouth on the other hand merely looks up and says in a low draw out tone,
"Why would we? Did something happen?" and suddenly seems to be rather focused on a wart on the back of his hand.
Frogmouth is the only guest that Caledon was confused at.
Through all his searching he couldn't find a single inking on this Tawny Frogmouth fellow. No birth record, no employment listing, not even news story or snippet of gossip... he was a complete and utter mystery... which Caledon didn't like.
Dr. Amp slowly stands up and slides her device into her coat. She takes a deep breath and says,
"I think I shall retire now... Dobraoc, everyone..."
With that she turns and begins to walk up the stairs, one hand on the rail, the other in her pocket.
The rat hisses and quickly runs after the doctor, scurrying up the steps and up her leg.
"UNCLE!"
The Vixen runs toward the old man—her emotional connections to him contradicting her every instinct, suspicion, and the evidence that this trigger-happy slave-driver is not the same man. Or is he?
He don't know what came o'er him, her mind says to Cal and Fashion Bug.
At this point the Vixen is carrying Henry in her arms. She lifts him with the same ease as a child lifting a kitten.
"Fasion Bug, can ye grab his gun?"
The Vixen touches the fairy and says some words. The fairy's twiggy limbs puff with tiny muscles. She says more words, and the fairy grows to a foot tall.
The fairy grows bigger and stronger.
"I can carry his gun without becoming a giant, Miss Vixen."
The fairy calls herself 'giant,' despite her height being less than half the length of the rifle she carries into the air. She follows the Vixen to whatever sofa she is bringing Henry to, and looks for a table where she can safely place the rifle. Knowing nothing about guns, she simply makes sure the muzzle is never pointed at a person.
"I have training as a field medic. Lay him out on one of the couches in the parlor, and check his breathing. If he's still breathing elevate his's legs and Loosen belts, collars or other constrictive clothing."
The Vixen does as Cal instructs.
There's something odd—like there're two o' him. He reverted to his ol' self before he fell."
@Vixen
Even with your super strength you can tell he is quite light. Disturbingly light. As you lift his legs onto the couch you realize he barley has legs at all! He legs are skinny and withered, as if there were no muscles in them. He shouldn't have been able to walk...
@Cal
You begin to inspect the old hunter as Hank, Lance, and Zulu fallow you into the parlor. You notice that his skin is turning a slickly grey color and he seems to barely be breathing.
The Vixen removes her mask.
"Oh, Uncle Henry... it's been four years. There was the wedding—that grand wedding!"
As the redhead speaks to the man she calls 'uncle,' there are explosions of colored smoke—vermilion red, jet black, snow white, sunfire gold, cherry blossom pink!
"And I came to see her to give Vikki—me best friend—a day-late gift..."
If there is a smell, it comes and goes in a blink. Each poof of smoke funnels from nowhere, coils into a seven-foot-tall wisp, and in the next second—gone!—the color and popcorn smell impossibly dissipate in the same instant!
"...and I found her."