Home! Actually I got home yesterday but I was a bit too busy unpacking to check the campaign thread. Still no updates, huh?
Search Posts
Just a quick FYI, I'm going on a trip for a few days on Thursday. I'll have internet access but I don't know how much I'll be able to get on.
"No need for formality, Shiro. You helped save my life." Mira flashed the man another bright grin before heading out once more into the bustling city. She listened for gossip and chatter as they made their way toward the Northeast section. More marks in her mental map. "The Mortician mentioned that they were all working on restoration and rebuilding, right? So maybe if we find out where they were last seen, we can find the place...or places where they were attacked." Mirabelle tapped the side of her chin with a finger as she glanced around, taking note of the various workers, then the large, imposing church. "We should also keep watch for any more bodies...I would prefer not to repeat our earlier encounter." She shuddered at the thought of more ghouls hidden in the rubble, waiting for the right moment to strike and bite and claw and-'Get a hold of yourself. There's work to be done.'
Mirabelle nodded. "Leave it to us, Ma'am!" She then turned to Keleni. "And I think I can fill you in a little. I did some exploring earlier. Caught some gossip." She leaned in closer to the halfling and her sleeve instinctively went in front of her mouth. She lowered her voice slightly though was still loud enough to be heard. "Apparently there was a huge fire not too long ago in the Northeast part of the city. I am not sure the cause or of more details but I do know that the rebuilding is being paid for by the city and one of the churches. The Church of Abadar, I believe? I must admit that I have little experience with said Church." She straightened back up then glanced around. "So then, I'm guessing that's the best area to start looking for clues or information."
Mirabelle stretched when she felt her wounds ease. She flashed Shiro a bright smile. "Thank you. And that was some impressive spellwork. I, ah, admire your ability to make things combust." Then she smiled at Stella. "Ready to go when you are, ma'am. Can't let a little thing like a sudden Ghoul attack keep us from getting work done, right?" Despite her bravado, she was still rather pale and there was a quaver in her voice. She folded her hands into her sleeves to hide the shakes. The ghoul had knocked her for a loop but the quest took priority. She could break down privately once they had returned to the inn.
Whoo! Also I just realized I am an idiot who never added my character's constitution bonus to her overall HP. Fixed now.
Mirabelle let out a sigh of relief once she could move again. [b]"Dear gods, that was awful...Thank you all for the assistance." She tucked her weapons away with a sigh. [b]"So, ma'am, where to next? Back to the inn for a little rest or on to the next job?"
Mira couldn't move after the attack. She was in far too much pain to gather a coherent thought either. It would take time for her to come back to her senses.
Mirabelle flinched slightly when the ghoul bit her and was thankful her armor was in tact. She glared right back at the creature as she unsheathed her rapier and her masterwork dagger which she gripped tight in her off hand.
She thrust her rapier forward toward the ghoul, in hopes of either killing it or creating some distance.
Mirabelle raised her arm to cover her nose and mouth. "Yeah...but my Gods, that smell is awful. If this is how bad they are cold, I'd hate to find them in any sort of heat." She took a few more steps back. "Still, it seems like the corpses are just that. After what Margaret said about them being violent, I was worried we'd have a few angry corpses after us." She moved to stand near Freyja. She wanted to go inside as well, but she instead watched Margaret from a distance.
Mirabelle followed the group to the door, then stepped back. "If we all go in at once, we will probably get in one another's way. I'll wait out here for now." Her curiosity burned with the thought of someone waking the dead to make them speak, but she held herself back. "After all, they're dead. It is not as if they would get up and walk off all on their own."
Mira nodded. "I agree with Margaret. Having one or maybe just two people in there to start might be the best idea. I'm more than happy to wait until it's given the all-clear." It seemed like Margaret knew all the right questions to ask, so Mirabelle wasn't about to get between the older lady and the corpses.
Mira was glad she'd spent so much time wandering the city before she made her way to the inn. She started noting certain landmarks around her. It would be easy to get lost in a city like this, so her mental map had to be accurate. She kept up with ease as she was used to walking in a crowded city, though she did pull her hood up to hide her hairpins. She wasn't about to risk some brave thief snatching them and running off. When the group arrived in front of the morgue, she quietly nodded. She didn't have much experience looking at bodies. Her father was far better at it and pick up things she tended to miss. Still, this would be a good chance to practice and to learn something new
Mira hummed softly. For someone against having a leader, she sure is bossy. She leaned forward to drink down another gulp of ale. "I only suggested it because, as I said, there are an even number of us. The only thing I could see a leader for is to be a tie breaker in case any votes break even. I...actually was going to nominate Shiro." She glanced at the man. "I mean, Freyja, Keleni, and I all seem to be familiar with the hunting monsters part but I'll admit I'm not so well-versed in things like politics or cults." She looked up at Freyja. "Maybe you work differently but...I like knowing that someone with a cool head can think strategically and effectively when things go a little wild. Shiro also lives here already, so he's also more familiar with the terrain than the rest of us would be unless anyone is willing to contest that." She finished her ale and sat back. "If everyone else would rather stick with the democratic method then I will say no more on it. And of course, all of this depends on if Shiro himself believes he is up to the task."
Mira finished her food and was more than happy to have something else to focus on. "For so many people of ill intent to have so much influence...that really is frightening." She, too, wondered how they would go about finding work. "Oh! Another question. Do you have a designated 'leader' of our group in mind? Should we elect one amongst ourselves? After all, we have an even number, so it might be important to have one be a tiebreaker of sorts." She had no interest in taking such a position herself, but so far, she could at least suggest one person she thought would be best suited for it based on their interactions in this meeting. Though she was not sure how well her choice of nominee would be taken by the rest of the group.
Mira looked at the two women she was sitting between. If one watched, they could see the heartbreak on her features. They don't...have any family...? The expression only became more tear-filled when Alandre mentioned that tragedy had hit his own family. She thought of her Mother, all alone in a country that she didn't much care for. Her father, missing. Mirabelle bit her bottom lip and took a shaky breath, then bit into her food to try and focus herself. No. No bursting into hysterics. You are a professional and an adult. Get a grip. "I see. Thank you. I will have to send my letter out as soon as possible but...You have my alliance. I am willing to do whatever it takes to help." There was still a slight quiver in her voice but she tried to swallow it down with her ale. She wondered about the others in her group. Whether or not they had families and friends back home, they would be all they had to rely on for the foreseeable future. Her mind made itself up then and there. Her search for her Father would have to wait a bit longer. So far, there had been no leads but...now she had people who needed her protection. Her blade would be used to keep them safe, at least until she found a new trail to follow.
Mira listened quietly, then glanced at Margaret and Shiro. She was glad someone had spoken up first. "I'm with them. Our targets should only be the people causing trouble or making danger. Someone who is innocent is still an innocent, regardless of their race or origins." "My question is this. Why us specifically? Why now? This started around ten years ago, correct?" She glanced at her new employers. "I fully intend to join your ranks as well but I do wonder why was no one called earlier? Why was no one summoned seven years ago? Six? Ten years is a long time to wait before calling in help." She also thought of her mother, alone in Magnimar. "And while I understand the need for secrecy...What, if anything, should those of us with a family tell them? I mean...I'm sure everyone here has at least one person back home who's worried about them, right? I don't like the idea of vanishing, never to return or be heard from again."
Mira stared at Freyja. "I meant more that...this situation might go awry....I do not believe that any of us have any reason to turn on eachother..." She again edged slightly away from the other woman, then had to bite back a laugh, though her shoulders gave a slight shake. The Halfling was not in any way quiet and Mira was beginning to admire that. She kept her hand to her mouth, though her grin was becoming too wide to conceal. "Well, as I am rather sure betting on oneself is against the rules..." She looked around at the others gathered there. "I would have to say Shiro. He's far too quiet. Too calm." She replied in a faux-suspicious tone. "Though I've got half a mind to bet on you as well."
Mirabelle shook Keleni's offered hand with a grin hidden behind her sleeve. She gave Freyja a look when she mentioned dragging blood-soaked hands down her face and leaned back a little bit, giving herself a bit more distance from the Aasimar. Then the other two approached. Margaret instantly had her respect for being an older lady, yet so clearly involved in dangerous work. Then came the man who she was sure was not human. Mira's eyes shone when Shiro mentioned that he was Tian-Min as well. "It's nice to meet a fellow Tian-Min, though I will confess that I only know of it through my mother." She flashed him a bright smile. "If we get some time later, I'd love to hear anything about your own history with it. But business first, I suppose." She grinned, then turned and followed Keleni. She took a seat next to her, then she folded her hands in her lap. "Oh and to answer your earlier question, Keleni, I am a Hunter as well, ever since I was old enough to hold a blade." The other woman's excitement was a bit contagious and Mirabelle brought a hand to her mouth to keep from smiling too widely. Within a few moments, she, too, was bouncing slightly in her seat. She was still a great deal nervous, but it was best not to focus on that for now. She leaned toward Keleni slightly and lowered her voice, whispering under her breath. She again hid her mouth behind her sleeve. "Wanna make a bet on how long until this all goes pear shaped?"
Mira shrugged and spun the key around her fingers. "Well, they mentioned they were looking for people 'of a particular skill set', right?" she intoned in a more serious, refined tone as she used her fingers to imitate quotation marks. "But you make a good point, Lady Aasimar that we should know one another. I suppose I'll go first." Mira stood from the bar and made a flourishing bow. "I am known as Mirabelle Enomoto, though Mira is fine." She stood back up, then grinned. "Might I be so bold as to ask you lovely ladies your names as well?" She doubted her name would be of any familiarity here. The last famous Enomoto huntress had been her great-grandmother Midoriko and she'd been dead for over half a century.
Mirabelle watched the others come in. The Tiefling woman caught her eye first. Mira, despite her work, found non-humans to be fascinating beings to watch. Each race was unique and every individual more so. Still, she kept to her table near the window. Next was a boy who could easily be mistaken for a teenager if not for the grey...everything. Dhampir maybe? She'd only ever seen them in passing or in drawings, so she wasn't sure. Then came another human and a boisterous halfling. The woman's call for ale made her grin, though she quickly hid it behind her hand, masking it with a cough. Her good mood faded when the curtains began to be drawn and the regulars made their way out. She toyed with the key, observing the bar more openly now. She stood and collected her pack, then moved to sit at the now-vacant counter next to the halfling. "Seems like the fun's about to begin, doesn't it?" She flashed the other woman a grin, then glanced back at the Tiefling and the ashen young(?) man. "I think I'll be needing a mug of ale soon too, if only to steady my nerves."
Shortly after she'd received her letter, Mirabelle rushed off to Absolom, much to her mother's chagrin. Still, the pull of a new lead, and a new adventure, was too great to resist. After arriving that morning, she'd spent a little time walking around the city, taking in the sights as she took a scenic route to the inn. She arrived afternoon and was happy to be back indoors. There seemed to already be someone at the counter, so instead she found an empty table to sit at. She let her pack fall next to her, then reached up to make sure her pins were where she'd left them. Two golden hair pins, each decorated with a single gem, held her curly black hair back. She was worried someone might snatch them while in the city but, thankfully, no one had attempted it. She glanced back over at the counter where a woman was talking to the older Dwarf. She looked out the window, then slightly shifted her position, hoping to hear their conversation. She played with her own key, rolling it between her fingers as she listened.
Still working on creating a character but I think I'm almost done. |