"...right." Nyxra clears her throat. "Anyone want some coffee?" She gestures to the tray in her hand.
Jessibel gratefully takes a coffee from Nyxra, learning how to sip while keeping her Magpie mask in place. Then she leads the search for the tooth fairies' lair, finding the movement warms her more than just the coffee itself can.
Vantine gets to her feet and dusts off the snow an such from her dress. Her angry determination breaks, she nearly laughs, when Nyxra offers coffee all around. She takes a cup after putting away her dagger.
"Well. I cannot say I expected that when we undertook this mission." The Raven huffs, voice muffled as he rubs his sore beak. "Who knew all the greatest threats to Kintargo are small, flying things? And dearest Falcon, please! We are Ravens! We drink mint tea, exclusivly. We have an image to maintain." He nudges some of the rusty splinters collected in the snow with the toe of his boot. "Lovely as it would be to claim credit for stopping the murderers, what is important is that the tieflings are safe... safer, at any rate. There will be other chances to win them over."
"But what of the one that got away? Flying things do not leave footprints in the snow. I expect we will not be targeted by the survivor or survivors again." He turns his head to the side, glancing at the coffee-wielding ranger. "I do not suppose any of you know how to track the small and winged."
Despite the Raven's best efforts, he sees no sign of the escaped tooth fairy, but before anyone can answer, a voice calls out from one of the nearby doorways. "Hsst! You all! Get in before the dottari have a chance to come."
An elderly tiefling woman peeks out from the crack in the door, before pushing it open wider. "They don't come by often, but get in here."
Jessibel looks at the old tiefling warily but then decides that avoiding the dottari--and warming up a bit--sound like good ideas. As she enters, she offers a half-curtsy to the woman. "The Magpie...at your service."
Nyxra shoves a coffee into the Raven's hands. "Yeah, yeah. Drink your coffee."
When the old tiefling lady tells them to come inside, she follows Jessibel inside.
"Good, good." The old woman ushers them in to a humble kitchen and dining area, where the embers of a fire lie dying. "Sorry for the lack of hospitality, Miss Magpie and friends. Not as wealthy as I used to be..." She chuckles, a dry rasp. "Oh! You'll be needing lights, lights, of course."
She turns, grabbing a match and a candle, lighting the first and then the second. "My name is Telian. I woke when I heard your fighting, and rushed to see what was going on. What were those creatures?"
Vantine isn't going to be left behind in the cold. She hustles on in as well.
"Beats m-...," Jessibel starts to say before adding flatly, "...me. No idea...I think." After this bit of weirdness, the noblewoman/bard turns unusually quiet.
But...Jessibel being Jessibel, the young bard can't stay silent for long.
"There was a whole gang of those things," she informs Telian. "We're thinking...we're hoping...those little creeps are responsible for the spate of recent murders, and now your neighborhood will be safer. I think we're going to investigate a bit further, but in any event, we'll be keeping out eyes and ears open to see if the murders stop now or not."
"Hm..." Telian scratches her chin. "Well, if it stops the murders, it'll earn you the whole neighborhood's gratitude. And I know a lady who'd like to talk to you if it's true. I'll let her know that might be the murders're over."
She settles on a chair at the dining table, placing the candle there. "Come, sit, sit. Who are you all, that you're out defying curfew to do battle with flying monsters that might be murderers?"
Nyxra notices the amulet, but keeps quiet about it for now.
"Who are you all, that you're out defying curfew to do battle with flying monsters that might be murderers?"
"Concerned citizens, for the most part. Vigilantes, some might say. If the new lord-mayor and the dottari are derelict in their duties to keep the streets safe, we're more than willing to fill the void they've left...and let the good people of Kintargo know about it."
"I think they're some kind of fey creature."
"Yes, we're concerned citizens who heard about the murders and decided to step in since nothing seemed to be getting done."
Vantine can't think of anything better to add to Jessibel's explanation.
Who is this lady who's going to want to talk to us?" she asks their host.
"Oh, my. Well, in that case, you're doing more for the city than any of the rulers before you. Not many bother helping us out here in the Devil's Nursery. No, it's enough for even our previous Lord-Mayor that we were graciously permitted to live here." She says bitterly.
"Fey, though? I thought they might be some sort of devils summoned by Thrune's new regime." She snorts. "But you're welcome in my home at any time, if you got rid of the murders."
At Vantine's question, Telian's expression brightens. "Ah, the Lady of Midnight. You seem trustworthy enough sorts, and you did just slay a group of monsters... alright. The Lady is chosen by the Redeemer Queen herself to aid us in our plight. We, the outcast, the forgotten. Exiles in our own home."
She withdraws a painted wooden amulet from the neckline of her shabby dress, bringing it into the dim light of the candle. "She has been gathering followers among the Nursery - if the Redeemer Queen can ascend beyond her own nature, so, too can we. Besides, it isn't like any other god cares for us." Her lips twist in a bitter smile. "Certainly none of the clergy do."
The Magpie stares at the symbol briefly and listens to Telian's wholly inadequate explanation about it being the symbol of some 'Redeemer Queen.' Not recognizing the god/demigod/whatever behind the symbol, Jessi again lets her curious nature get the best of her without thinking through potential implications: "So...the two curly parts on the symbol: Are they supposed to be a woman's hair or a man's moustache. Cuz it looks like a moustache to me."
Vantine elbows Jessibel to shut her up.
"I... see... How would we talk with her?"
Jessi takes Vantine's not-so-subtle hint and shuts up. Looking some more at the holy symbol, though, she notes that what she thinks is a moustache hangs above what looks to be a pair of nostril slits.
I don't care what anyone else says--that symbol is very disconcerting!
Nyxra shoots Jessibel a dirty look before turning back to Telian.
"...I wonder how she and Sarenrae would get along?" She muses aloud.
She settles on a chair at the dining table, placing the candle there. "Come, sit, sit. Who are you all, that you're out defying curfew to do battle with flying monsters that might be murderers?"
"I am a bird." The Raven says in a disinterested tone, sipping his un-minty coffee. "I go where I want, when I want." The talk of yet another upstart diety does not interest him. "And who might you be, dear Telian, to invite so many strangers into your home at this hour?"
Vantine's eyes slide sideward to view the Raven.
I wish I could be more sure he isn't actually completely out of his mind.
Telian looks at Jessibel with an arched brow. "You are far younger than you'd like to seem. Think before you speak - if I'm talking about a goddess, her holy symbol is unlikely to be a mustache, no?" She waves a hand irritably. "As for the Lady of Midnight, well... I can let her know about you all... come by here tomorrow around noon, and I'll let you know if she wants to meet you."
The old tiefling looks at Nyxra, eyes narrowing. "Who knows how the gods get on, save through what their priests claim? But I see you're at least willing to risk more than breaking curfew, if you're talking about Sarenrae."
"A bird, you say? A pair of birds, you and this Magpie." The woman smiles slightly, showing crooked teeth. "I'm old, bird, and poor. If you wanted to do me harm, I'm already near my death. I have nothing that someone of your skill in battle would have desire to steal, and you did slay a number of monsters outside of my home. Given that, I think I can trust you at least as far as inviting you in to this humble abode."
Jessibel shrugs at Telian's gentle chiding. "I'm naturally inquisitive," she informs the old tiefling. "Perhaps one of these days the first thing I blurt out will be absolutely brilliant and save our fair city!" From what can be seen of the masked teen's features, it doesn't look like she entirely buys this herself.
Reaching into her belt pouch, she pulls out a couple of gold sails and presses them into the old tiefling's hand. "For your kindness and the shelter you've offered us on this cold night." Trying to sound more heroic, she adds, "Silver serves me better in my fight against the evils that stalk our city!"
"Our fight," she amends sheepishly when some of the others look at her strangely.
"Well, if we're to come back here at midday to meet the Lady of Midnight, hmm...I need to be in bed asleep about three hours ago!"
"Well, I can't promise you'll meet her then, but I'll share where she'll meet you. Probably after dark - she prefers to work then, as do many of us." Telian says, bobbing her head. "Please, feel free to rest. I have a few beds, though..." She looks the Ravens up and down. "They'll probably be a bit short for you."
"Thank you for sheltering and warming us."
Although Vantine would be happy enough take up Telian's offer and rest at her home for the remainder of the night, she doesn't go so far as to say so directly, waiting for some indication of what the others think before doing so.
"Not just a pair of birds, my good lady; a veritable flock! These are the noble Eagle, the deadly Falcon, the vexing Dove, and you have already been introduced to the clever Magpie." The Raven introduces each of his companions in turn. "And I am the handsome Raven." He takes the tiefling's hand and bows. Her invitation to stay did not surprise him. Often those with the least were the most generous. "Small though your beds may be, I would wager they are nicer than the rafters I usually roost on."
The talk of this herald of the Redeemer Queen both intrigues and worries the Raven. They could be someone looking to lift the tieflings from their poverty. They could also be someone looking to stir up the tieflings and give Thrune an excuse to put them down. Either way, the Silver Ravens needed to meet this person. "Are there any tasks you need help with before we nest for the night? Firewood to be brought in?"
After the Raven has finished his soliloquy, Vantine makes a correction. With a smile that shows great patience under hardship she explains to Telian "only the simple find me vexing".
Telian chuckles dryly. "Well enough, well enough." She coughs softly. "No, no. I don't use much firewood - the cold doesn't touch me the same way it does you all, and firewood's a bit expensive to use in that regard."
She rises to her feet. "Come, come." With that, the woman leads the Ravens into a bedroom, where there are, indeed, four beds. One is sized for an adult (or two, if they squeeze), while the other three are sized for children (albeit older children, perhaps almost teens). "Please, make yourselves comfortable. I promise I'll not bother you any more, and you all look like you need what sleep you can get."
After settling sleeping arrangements, the Ravens rest the rest of the night away.
The next morning, the Ravens awaken to the sound of heavy rain sweeping over the city. When they exit Telian's home (after a brief, humble breakfast), they find that though it's not quite freezing out, it's damned close, and they must make their way across the city to speak with Laria about the current events.
Aisling begs off, as her ecclesiastical superior had requested her presence for a time, and she needs to offer what she can to the city in a different way for the time being.
Nevertheless, the Ravens arrive at the Wasp's Nest, cold and wet, and have a chance to speak with Laria, Rexus, and the rest of their rebels who are present - a few of the Crimson Rose, and Maggie Fushi, as well as the Mwangi man Sierre Thrice-Blessed.
Laria is the first to speak when they have finished their story. "Alright, that's... not what I would've expected - a bunch of fey creatures stealing teeth is... well, it's hardly the Temple Hill Slasher that we feared."
"I, for one, am curious about this Redeemer Queen and Lady of Midnight." Rexus says thoughtfully. "I had thought that the Cloven Hoof was the only organization in the Nursery, but it seems I was mistaken."
Jessibel tries to recall anything she might've heard about the Cloven Hoof Society. Her face shows the same blank expression it's shown for some time now.
"We may know more soon. We're supposed to go back to her house at noon today to find out if and when the Lady of Midnight or her herald, it got a little muddled there, will meet or talk with us, maybe around midnight."
After repeating what they were told by Telian to the listeners in the Wasp's Nest, Vantine does have to admit to herself the whole thing sounds a little batty.
"...the fey could've been proxies for the Slasher. But what do I know?"
Jessibel spends some time down in the Wasp Nest sparring with Maggie and Treep Fushi, trying to improve her swordsmanship.
"Huh. Well, be careful, then. Midnight's the time of Zon-Kuthon, and the Nursery's close enough to Temple Hill that you should be cautious of a trap."
"The Kuthonites aren't exactly interested in tieflings, though, are they? At least not in Kintargo." Rexus suggests. "But I don't know. Don't be so cautious as to be rude, is my opinion. We're here to help, not engage in overt paranoia."
Maggie cocks her head. "I wonder if these Redeemer Queenites are willing to fight against the Asmodeans and House Thrune. Even just a handful can be helpful - right?" She winks, waving her hand at herself.
At Jessibel's request, Maggie pulls Treep in and begins sparring with the young bard - though she isn't quite as skillful as them, she finds that their instruction (such as it is) is quite easy for her to grasp, and she's already making surprising leaps and bounds - perhaps due to having a good idea as how not to use the rapier from her previous experiences
"Yeah--plus the Kuthonites were having that holiday thing recently," Jessi adds to Laria's concerns. "No telling if that's a week-long event! But we're committed. Let's go meet this Lady of Midnight. Maybe we can pick up a rumor or some gossip while we wait to meet her."
The Magpie mask goes in the young noblewoman's backpack until the foursome gets close to the Nursery. After prestidigitating her hair blonde and her armor a caramelly brown--as slipping on her forged Juliac signet ring--the young bard departs the Wasp Nest in her Amanda Juliac alias.
Vantine settles in a quiet place to spend some time with her mirror and renew her magic. She then gets herself cleaned up and primped to go out again when it's time.
"'Zon Kuthon, 'Redeemer Queen'. All I know is that this many unsanctioned religions making noise at the same time is liable to attract Thrune." The Raven says, leaning against the doorway leading out of the cellar, repeatedly tossing his silvered dagger into the air and catching the blade by the tip. "And if it is a trap... I would not be adverse to fighting something my own size for a change."
Nyxra spends some time practicing her swordsmanship before reuniting with the others to head back out. Her swings have become more elegant, and they strike with greater force than before.
"Er... technically, Zon-Kuthon is allowed to be here. Nidal's just next door, and Cheliax likes to keep them happy." Rexus says, though he looks like he swallowed something particularly bitter at the thought.
After the party is prepared, they make their way back across the whole damned city, through the pouring rain, to the Nursery and Telian's house. Even the dottari guarding Bleakbridge seem miserable, and they have a small bit of canvas hanging overhead.
Once they arrive at her home, Telian ushers the Ravens inside. At the table sits a male figure with a hood over his head. His arms are folded as he gazes out from beneath the hood's lip at the Ravens. "So. You must be the ones who claim to have ended the murders." His Taldane is distinctly accented - it sounds vaguely elven.
"Please, be seated." Telian says quickly. "This is the Midnight Lady's guardian and agent, everyone. Vylas, these are the heroes I told the Lady about, so be polite." She looks like she only just realized that.
Vylas nods. "Apologies. I didn't mean to come across as hostile, but I've been hunting the murderers for weeks and didn't see any sign of them. I'm a little irritated at myself. Tell me, how did you find them?"
Jessibel greets Vylas in Elven, introducing herself as the Magpie before reverting to Common.
"We drew them out by walking the streets as bait," Jessi informs the elf. "It may be a fortunate thing that you never found them: Their bites can paralyze, as I regretfully found out for myself. That might be how they got away with their killings for so long--you can't call out for help or shout out an alarm when you're paralyzed."
Vantine shrugs, there's little story to tell.
"Yeah, we just made ourselves available and they found us. Agreed on the point about paralysis. Only one or two people would surely have been paralyzed quickly, there were several of them, and after that happened being killed would be almost inevitable."
"They'd know more than I would. I stepped out to get us coffee when all that mess went down."
Vylas drums his fingers on the table thoughtfully. "How did you know which streets to use? The Nursery's not that small..." He mutters something under his breath, before casting a brief glance at Nyxra, not quite sure what to make of her statement.
"But yes, paralysis would explain why we haven't had any outcry in the past few weeks during the nights of the attacks..." He looks to Telian.
The elderly woman shrugs. "I didn't see it entirely, but the Magpie was frozen when I first looked."
"We did check the locations of the previous murders. That helped some. Otherwise it was mostly luck."
Vantine isn't going to try and be proud about the affair. She's just glad to be done with it.
Nyxra makes an unhappy grunt of acknowledgement.
Jessibel frowns under her mask, apparently because Telian named her as the person who'd been paralyzed by the flying creeps, exposing her as the party's weakest link. She quickly changes the subject.
"How long has your Redeemer Queen had a following in the city?" she asks Vylas, wondering if perhaps the cult has swooped in to fill a power void left when Strea Vestori vanished and the Cloven Hoof Society fell with her.
"Well enough. I suppose I was unlucky, as well..." Vylas muses aloud, before looking at Magpie. "Since before her ascension to the ranks of the gods." He replies. "The Lady was her follower five years ago."
"I will be looking into this matter more closely, but I would also ask that you come to visit the Lady tomorrow evening - she wishes to meet you all and see you with her own eyes." The elf pauses, considering. "And we work best at night."
Nyxra nods. "I'll be there."
"I believe we're available at that time," the Magpie replies to the elf.
"Is this a more formal thing? Like, should we bring a gift when we visit?"
"Anything else we should know beforehand?" Vantine asks more pointedly.