Vim: Tales from Lumina (Fantasy/Arcanepunk/IC)

[Prusselanden]

Blight Town
"I...well, I was thinking more in terms of food, not Alcohol. Although I guess I'll take this drink to not let it go to waste." Julian explained to the bartender. "Do you guys have anything that's cheap but filling?"

Jona noticed Malius walking out of the bar and stiffened. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something about the stranger that he should be afraid of. Maybe he just got more paranoid ever since he learned of why he was sent away. Maybe it was just his sketchy mask and hood.

"Jona!"

"Hm?" Jules's voice cut through his thoughts. "Yeah?"

"Here-" She gave his face a small dab with her hankerchief. "You have a little something on your face."

[Britanania]

Venusta

As the pair approached the cathedral where the local Pontiff resided, Venusta stopped walking halfway up the steps and took from her jacket a long pipe. She lit it and took a few puffs on the steps of the church as the elf waited for her reply. After a few minutes, she sighed.

"No, I should be fine by myself," the voluptuous vixen told the elf. Her sapphire eyes bored into his for a while before she turned away to enter the cathedral. As a government agent, she knew he had little business messing with Ecclesiarchial matters, even if the local forces were a little wary of what the Ecclesiarchy was up to.

[Higher Japan]

Through the rain and the chaos that was happening far away at another section of the city, a lone C-class war maiden runs through the alleyway as she struggled to catch her breath. In her arms are a black leather suitcase, sealed together with a built in lock shutting the case together by chains. Through the alleys, she could hear the sound of her pursuers still coming towards her with each passing step. She had to deliver this to the main headquarters in the city, it was somewhere here. She just had to make it and from there the locally based war maidens could help her.

As she turned the corner, she felt a stabbing pain in her back, penetrating into her skin since all she had on was the white long sleeved dress that all C class maidens were assigned due to their rear line duties. Tripping over, the case fell onto the ground and clanked slightly as she tried to reach for it, only to feel yet another sensation of someone stepping down and stopping her. "Apologies young miss, but we'll be taking this." All that she heard and saw before she fell dead was a simple, but muted gunshot. Standing above her were 2 thugs, most likely lower level henchmen in the overall syndicate.

"You sure this is it." One asked, lifting it up as he knocked on it a little. The other one sighed.

"Truthfully I ain't sure, boss said a lady was to come by later with this." Poking the body, he was sure now that the girl was dead.

"Either way let's get it out before-"

Before they could finish, an ominous presence fell over the area. The sound of tapping could be heard coming from one of the roofs above. Looking up, both The Herrscher and Durandal stood above them. "Good evening." Durandal said, hopping down and landing as she bowed. "It appears that you have something that I need, now if you could simply just hand them over-" Before Durandal could finish, a bullet barely whizzed past her face as she looked at them once again, now standing upright. "Lady, someone like you should go back to the brothel, maybe we'll visit you for your services to make up for-" Before they could finish, she pulled out one of her own revolvers, geometric in the colors of red and black. As the barrel smoked and a bullet landed close to their faces, the holes in her helmet lit up in a sort of purple hue.

As she loaded one more bullet into the revolver, they tried to open fire on her only to get knocked down as Durandal moved forward almost within the blink of an eye. Smashing onto the ground, she slammed her boot into one of their guts as she aimed her gun at one. "Gentlemen, no, scum of the earth," She pushed her boot deeper into one of their guts as they were almost afraid to scream in pain, The Herrscher overseeing them from a roof. "you both amaze me, having balls to attack the hosts of a goddess. Truly, the both of you are fools." She ground her boot into them once again, seeing that right now there was some blood as a result of the boot.

"What are you talking-" Shoving her gun into the mouth of one to silence him, although they couldn't see it they could almost feel her devilish smile as she turned it slightly. "I wonder, given the choice between me or my colleague, I wonder whose services you would rather." As The Herrscher leapt down, the light clinking of her boots as she got closer slowly got louder, while the gems in her spear began to slowly glow. "If you may." With one fell swoop, the other henchman would find themselves incapacitated almost as their legs were sliced off. As for the one Durandal was busy on, she checked her gun once again as she loaded 2 bullets into the fools leg, this time using the heel of her boot to silence him. "Herrscher, is she..." Turning over, she saw that the Herrscher was beside the body of the C-class war Maiden as she shook her head. The maiden's heartbeat had stopped, a valuable asset gone.

"Overseer Durandal, what should we do with them." She pointed over to the 2 others, currently attempting to run. Just as one tried to scream, she walked over and casually pushed her boot down on his nape, pressing down on his throat. "Get me my knife." As she was given a knife, she used her fingers to sharpen it for a moment as she clicked her guns back into their rear hostlers. "You've harmed one of my essential workers, now as a final repentance, let this punishment echo for all of you, in silence." All that could be heard was 2 quick slashes. Soon, they were gone, Durandal with the suitcase and The Herrscher with the War maiden's body.

Her body was most likely to be brought back to the central headquarters via the regional branches, where they would clean her body and prepare for the proper rites. Death was honorable, bringing them closer to the goddess. As for this war maiden, her death in duty shall grant her a seat as one of the divine judges for the goddess. The maiden in question appeared serene and peaceful almost, the only indication of death being the cut in her back and the gunshot wound. However, another worry appeared in her mind as she brought the body back towards the regional headquarters, careful to not aggravate the wound further. She would need the blood during her journey to the afterlife.

The Vulcan branch of the order was recently activated, and it took the path of finding the goddess to a new level, one that no mage could condone...

Given the sin of technology, her followers strayed even further as they created beasts of metal and empty hearts. All in her name. Ashamed and disgraced for what she had done, she sealed herself away for all eternity, vowing to return to this world to reap the pitiful souls.

[Ormata]

Walker
Lumina

“If Conveyance was utilized, it wouldn’t matter the reach of the weapon. A scythe would merely give the user more issues if they are capable of decreasing whatever range they are at. I concur with other assertions.”

His statement was brief, to the point, though in the midst of it something was noted. The head didn’t move, yet still he tracked movement along a rooftop. Walker was urged on by a sense, a feeling as though one would receive if a wake passed by while swimming from a vessel. Magic lapped at him in waves, splashing against a sense that could be called neither sight nor smell yet could be confused for either. If eyes could narrow they would, his sense sharpening in anticipation without any sort of outside view. There was someone there, he was certain of it, some being along the roof. Walker’s back was already stiff, in most ways, and yet there was still a change.

One hand reached underneath his coat, drawing from it an automatic pistol, the hand below cocking it in a smooth motion. “We are watched,” was the simple explanation, the mechanicus training the pistol along the roof in a general sense as another hand drew a pistol, cocking it, a third soon following.

[Naval Monte]

Sibyl tsk'd at the responses she got, her head turning slightly to the left as she looked at the wet ground. As she turn her attention back to the automaton war veteran and the sickly sorcerous doctor she said "We will have to cut out the damaged fence bar and compare similar damages done to other bars by different bladed weapons to see which one matches with one our killer made, also we need to fo the same with dead bodies, preferably dead animals as opposed to any sapient being. Because right now, for all we know our killer could have claws. There is still too much not known about our killer to make any assumptions on them."

Wick nodded. "That I can agree you with. I will try to get in contact with some butchers to see if they can give us some of their slaughtered pigs to be used as dummies. Where is that bar that you mentioned?" Sibyl pointed the bar as Author was stepping out of the building. "Constable, can you get a few of your men to cut out that bar over there? We believe that us a clue for our case." Wick told him. The man complied with the order and soon gave the command to two automatons to try and remove the bar.

The two machines walked to the fence and as one held on to the bar the other grabbed a part above the cuts and the other automatons hand, pressing on tightly with its bladed, claw-like, hands. A loud scratching and twisting noise could be heard as part of the bar came loose, it would repeat the same process to the lower part and soon the damaged bar was free.

"Remind me to never give those things a polite shake for a good job." Author said after seeing the sight, shivering at the thought at what would happen if they did that to a living target. When Waleker announced that someone was watching them and had his guns out Author was going to ask him how he was sure but Sibyl spoke before him. "Don't shot detective! I don't think whoever is here means us harm!" She said putting her arms up high and being in front of him just to prevent Walker from shooting.

Sibyl for the few occasions in her time cursed her short height as she was painfully aware how awkward and comical the sight was for everyone but she pushed through regardless. "I doubt it us our killer or a thief coming to steal because most would stay far away from us. I think we are either dealing with a stray animal or a poor child who lives in here ." Sibyl let some a amount of disgust come out  of her previously neutral tone, despising the fact thst some children a d their parents were forced to live in such appalling conditions. She turn to look at the roof. "One either enchanted or us studying magic." She took a few steps forward before calling out to whoever was on the roof. "I'm sorry for my friends behavior. Old soldiers have a hard time letting go of the wars that they fought on. I promise no one here won't hurt you so will you please come down?" She turn to Walker and gesture for him to put down his weapons.

"If you're scared then don't worry the scary man will put down his guns. Do you have a name sweety?" She asked to the watcher above, hoping to get a response from them. As they awaited for a response most were unaware of the steam carriage arriving to their location to let them know that a new body was discovered.

---

The half orc shrugged. "We serve whatever we can find but unless you have a lot of money on you then any meat not coming from rats, fishes gotten from straight from one of the cities canals,  or stray animals will cost you an arm and a leg, quite literally from one of my competitors." The bartender let out a sinister chuckle. "But I got enough to give you something decent to eat. As for cheap and filling? Well how do you feel about beard, fish, and pea pottage?"

The bartender was now in a much lighter mood after Maluis walked out. Outside the masked man would be followed by a a small group composed of a human, a goblin, two ogres and a orc. From the looks of it all of them were poor thugs wishing to rob Malius for any valuables on his person.

---

Alvis nodded. "Than I shall wait for you. I hope your meeting with the pontiff goes well." He told her, not reacting as she bore into his very soul with her eyes. Inside the cathedral she would find that it would be like the ones back home, yet she would notice little details that would give hints on Luminian influences during construction. Walking through the interior she would find the pontiff speaking with a nun. Looking at Venusta he smiled. "Evening ma'am, do you need anything?"

[Ormata]

Walker
Lumina

"Don't shoot detective! I don't think whoever is here means us harm!"

"I doubt it us our killer or a thief coming to steal because most would stay far away from us. I think we are either dealing with a stray animal or a poor child who lives in here. One either enchanted or us studying magic. I'm sorry for my friends behavior. Old soldiers have a hard time letting go of the wars that they fought on. I promise no one here won't hurt you so will you please come down?"

"If you're scared then don't worry the scary man will put down his guns. Do you have a name sweety?"

“Duly noted,” came the response, the guns pointed up, fingers still off the trigger. The fact that the Detective was so very, very short and still attempted to ‘block’ him didn’t bother the machine, not entirely; had he been forced to shoot, there was still enough arcs of fire to adequately cover anything moving. Accuracy wasn’t even reduced, sa he could see over her. The gesture was, overall, patently meaningless and perhaps even amusing were he able to be amused. The clicking of gears could be noted, his fingers operating the safeties. Walker didn’t holster his weapons, however, based on the simple fact that there was little to no confirmation that the watcher was not a killer. Besides that fact, if they ran he was 90% certain a wounding shot could be performed.

[Prusselanden]

Blighttown
"Fish would be fine. we're not going to be real picky." Julian took a tiny sip of her booze, mostly to be polite. She didn't usually drink, and her stomach could not handle alcohol well.

Jona turned to her. "Did you see that dude walk out?"

"Which one?" She held her head in her hand, feeling a small bit of the booze get to work. "This place is jam-packed."

"The one with the weird hood and mask. He was sitting next to us and left. That guy was...he had some strange aura floating around him, I think." Jona turned to the bartender. "Oh yeah, could I also get something to drink? Something non-alcoholic?"

Jules took a little more of the liquor and already could feel the room spinning around her.

[Toaslandia]

Malius heard the gang of thugs behind him and nonchalantly walked down an alley and jumped on some boxes and onto a roof. He sat there, waiting for the group of thugs to walk by, and when they did, he threw four of his knives at the two ogres while pulling his long dagger out and jumping down onto the orc, his dagger aimed for the orc's head.

[Menschenfleisch]

Ana Asakku

She was... surprised, by the violence of the murder, as well as the sloppiness of the follow-through. By the looks of this place, and how many police officers here, it'd been a fairly high-end murder; possibly an assassination. Yet, there was blood everywhere and a number of artifacts left behind. Ritualistic, but unfortunately, not very discreet. When Sibyl noticed her she got ready to run, but instead, after hearing her talk her gun-wielding assistant, down, decided to drop and talk for a little bit. Perhaps these officers could offer her something. It was fairly common for the police to gather information from slum-locals in mysterious cases like this. It hadn't been the first time that somebody had been given special privileges or materials in exchange for case-breaking intelligence. Fake names were quite common, too.

"My name's Sera. No last name. So I guess you've found me, huh? I'll be honest - I'm kind of interested in this case. I know it's against official rules and what not, but I can help you investigate. Then again, you're from a better part of town, aren't you? I'll leave, if that's what you want. Oh, and so we're clear: I didn't do this. I got here after you did, the smell of blood really stunk up the neighbourhood!"

[Britanania]

Venusta

The young woman bowed before the Pontiff.

"Hierophant Caius Flaccus, Episcopus of Lumina," she greeted him in High Cadian. "Your Eminence, I am Venusta Navi of the Ordo Inquisito." At those words, the blood seemed to drain from the elderly man's face. A member of the Inquisition was a rare sight indeed. Few outside of Cadia itself ever encountered one casually. They only came out of the Eternal City for--

"Yes my child, I understand." Giving a bow to the nun, who understood and departed, the Pontiff led Venusta to a side chapel where they would not be disturbed.

"To what do my brothers and sisters of the Ordo Inquisito require of their humble servant?" he asked in a fearful tone.

"The Magna Pontifex and the Generalis Inquisitor have concerns, Your Eminence. Lumina is a city sick with sin and that sin has made its way not only to Adra but to Cadia itself. I have been sent to see to it that this filth goes no further."

The Pontiff bowed his head in shame. Even the mere presence of an inquisitor was troubling. Should she wish it, Venusta could temporarily depose the Pontiff if it would help her inquisition.

"I understand. You shall have my complete support for your inquisition. I shall alert the local Sacredi and other Episcopi. Anything you want, you shall have."

Venusta rose and the Pontiff followed suit. After the pair exchanged bows, Venusta returned to the doors of the Cathedral where the Elf waited.

"If you don't mind," she asked politely, having switched back to Alban. "I would very much like to see my hotel."

[Naval Monte]

With Walker putting down his gun Sibyl felt that whoever was on the roof would cooperate. Sibyl heard a little girl's voice coming from the roof and frown as her guest on the watcher being a child was right.  "Sera, what a nice name dear. You can call me Sibyl." She decided to introduce the others with her. "The automaton is named Walker, he doesn't have a last name either. The man in the helmet is Constable Author and next to him is Doctor Wick. Yes I found you. I heard you while I was out in the back yard and me and Walker sense magic coming from you. Are you a sorceress in training Sera?"

A dwarf officer got out of the building asking what was going on, which Author told the small humanoid everything going on. "A street rat somehow got through our blockade? Damn rookies, this is what they get for trusting those damn tin cans to do their bloody jobs." The automatons didn't react to the dwarfs outburst, all of them continue to perform their job. "Well why aren't you arresting them?" The furious dwarf said, his request sounding more like a demand to arrest Sera for being in the property.

Sibyl pinched the bridge of her nose as she exhaled air from her nostrils, her eyes closed as she felt annoyance coming in. Grunig Bonebranch, the name of the dwarf, was a decent officer and was an honest man. But his personality was an acquired taste for some people and his conservative nature can rub those of more liberal leanings the wrong way. Sibyl should know, as it took awhile for the dwarf to even agree to work with her both because of her gender and her half elven ancestry.

"Sera here believes she can help us with this investigation." Sibyl left put the part on her not feeling comfortable on throwing a child to prison. The dwarf looked up at Sibyl with an incredulous look on his hairy face. While it was clear he didn't believe her Sibyl had to admit that felt nice to have someone look up to see her face to face for a change considering she often in the dwarf' place. Yet she didn't stay thinking on that feeling for long as Bonebranch spoke. "How can that kid help us? She saw the murders?" The dwarf took out a wooden pipe and set the tobacco inside of it on fire with a match.

Wick was the one to speak up. "She claims to have interest in the case and believes she could be useful to us." The dwarf laughed at what the doctor said. "A street rat being helpful? They are just saying that so we can give them money." The disbelieving dwarf stated rather loudly. Sibyl glare at the dwarf. "Me and Walker sensed magic coming from the girl. Not only could she be a witness but might possess some skills that can aid us." The dwarf only snorted at the reply. "Of course a bloody elf would think that just because someone has magic they are qualify for everything." Sibyl showed no reaction to Bonebranch's comment. "Author are you going to let this kid and woman play you like a fool?"

Author thought the options before him, looking up at the roof before looking at Sibyl who was anxious on what he would say. After a few seconds he came to his decision. "This is breaking a few protocols but we have used informants from the slums before to help us with previous cases, the only things that have changed in this one is the age of our consultant and the fact they might possess magical powers. I say we give them a chance to prove themselves." Sibyl smiled at the constable while the dwarf sighed. "Damn it Author." The dwarf began to walk away, commenting on how with Sibyl's presence he always "thought with the wrong head".

Sibyl blushed at the comment as she overheard Bonebranch's words. "Is there something wrong Mrs. Blackstone?" The constable asked. The blushing detective shook her head. "N.. No Author, just feeling a bit under the weather is all. Nothing a warm cup of tea and stew can fix." She gave the man a smile. "Thank you for taking on my side on this matter." Author began to straighten his cape, keeping his stern composure. "Like I said, it would be a shame to waste an opportunity to crack this case if we just blindly threw them into jail." The constable explained.

While Sibyl accepted his explanation Wick had a feeling there was more to it than the constable agreeing with Sibyl's idea, but unlike the dwarf he kept what was in his mind in his head instead of risking the half elf detective hearing him. Sibyl look up at the roof. "We will allow you to accompany us if you tell us what you can do and come down so we can see you." The half elf called out.

The group would heard the sounds of a speeding wheel hitting both cobblestone and puddles and as they turned they saw it was another steam carriage. One of the officers ran out of the vehicle and rushed to Author. "Sir we got news of another body being discovered!" As Author began to grill the young police officer for more information Sibyl turn to look at the roof. "You're ready to join us on finding a serial killer Sera?"

---

The orc turn around and walked to the kitchen at the other side. Jules can heard the sound of something sizzling and soon the smell of cooked salmon would reach her. Eventually the bartender would return with fish along with a slice of brown bread, pea stew, and a vegetable sauce on the side. "I know you care only for the fish but out here you need a filling and hearty meal and trust me this will fill you up throughout most of the day until nightfall. As for something else to drink I got water, that's about it ma'am." The bartender quickly fetched her a glass of water, thankfully it looked clear.

"So I take it you are not from around these parts? Your clothing and mannerism gives it away." The bartender said. "So why is a classy girl like yourself wants to be in this dump?" The bartender asked, curious as to why Jules and her young partner want to be in Blighttown.

In the alleyway Maluis would find that the throwing knives did pierce the skin of the orges but it only enraged them. As the dagger came down to the orc the green skin creature was taken by surprised and was stabbed, but sadly for Maluis he would find that orcs like ogres were much harder to kill. The orc would trash around wildly to remove Maluis which he did once he grab him and throw the man st the wall.

The goblin of the group laughed as he took out his dagger, the human also took out his dagger as well. "Nice trick there but it is going to take a few knives and fancy moved to take us out. We can ignore this little incident if you judt give us all of your money? I mean the other option so that we kill you and take your money off your corpse, but I think you don't want the cops poking at your body now don't you?" The man threaten, licking his blade as the other gang members began to surround Maluis.

---

Alvis nodded and he quickly command the driver to go to the hotel. The drive through the various streets would eventually end with Venusta's seeing a five story baroque style building. The walls of the building were still white despite the heavy smog that Venusta saw from the air, the roof having dark blue tiles. In front of the hotel was a fountain with the centerpiece being a winged lion spitting out a stream of water at the small pool.

Stepping out of the carriage and into the building she would find that not only was the lights coming from electric light bulbs but the building was used Vim ventilation systems to produce both heat and cold in the building. The decor of the interior matched the extoir and the furniture spoke of the high class status of the guests who stayed in the building. "Hello miss have you bought a reservation for one of our rooms?" The half elf receptionist asked as she had the same accent as Venusta.

[Prusselanden]

Blight Town
“Well, to be honest, I work here. I’m a doctor. And I’m training this one- “ she gestured to Jona “-to enter the trade. We just travel to where we do, and see who needs our services. And Business is good in here.”

By now, Jules had stopped drinking the liquor and smiled as he brought the food.

“Thank you for the meal.” She split the bread in half for herself and Jona, and they started to share the food. Jules let him have a little more, since he was growing and she wasn’t very hungry.

"You know Jules?"

"Mmmph?" She looked up at him, chewing her bread.

"I have this feeling we should go after that guy. I don't know if it's a hunch or anything, but I can't help but wonder if he has something to do with the Cyriaque conspiracy." He said quietly, so no one else could hear.

"....Jona, you're supposed to be uninvolved with your family's issues."

"But I really-"

"This is for your own safety, ok? Let your parents handle it. We'll talk about it when the threat has passed."

"But when will it pass?"

Jules took her last bite of fish and sighed. " I'm sorry, how much do I owe you for the food and drinks?" She smiled at the bartender, ignoring Jona's question. The boy frowned at her for a moment before finishing his portion.

[Menschenfleisch]

Ana Asakku

"No! I'm just a... well, I'm not sure what I am. A horrifying abomination stretched through time and space, barely peeking through the fabric of this reality and inhabiting the body of a mere mortal girl? I hear people calling me that a lot. I'm not a sorceress, though; just a regular mutated human thing."

Ana wasn't particularly worried about the police's reaction. She was far swifter than them and probably more familiar with the streets. Honestly though, she'd been expecting a far more violent reaction. Then again, it was likely that these people were looking for reliable informants, since they didn't know the suspect or what kind of crimes occurred in this part of town. Even though she wasn't too familiar with the circumstances herself, the police were even less sure f what had happened. As long as she made herself useful, they wouldn't go out of their way to arrest her. Seemed like a fun plan, if one that hinged on the dwarf not shooting her as soon as she revealed herself.

Ana dropped down onto the ground, straightening out her back and smiling, baring sharklike teeth. Her body, now lit up by the dim police lighting, was revealed to be almost sickeningly different. How so, nobody could say; it was simply disorienting, painful, almost impossible to look at her, like staring at a blurry image; just barely unable to see what it is, yet struggling to do anyway.

"Well I guess we'd better get going, Sib! I'm going to help you guys fix up this case in no time!"

[Britanania]

Venusta

Once inside the hotel lobby, Venusta nodded to the receptionist.

"Sì," she replied in Low Cadian. "I have a room booked under this name." Venusta switched back to Alban for the remainder of the conversation. The Inquisition itself booked this room and hotel. It was often used by members of the Ecclesiarchy's clergy and representatives on business in Lumina when they weren't staying in the official Ecclesiarchial Embassy attached to the Cathedral. This gave Venusta a little more freedom of movement as a hotel was a less conspicuous location.

The young sacredos slid her identification papers on the counter for the half-elf to check.

[Naval Monte]

Lumina

The half orc seem interested at Jules when she revealed her profession. "A doctor at these parts? Well isn't that a bloody miracle, most professionals avoid this part like everyone here was a leper, though a few are so maybe I can't say everyone isn't." When the they asked how much they should pay the orc replied with. "It's on the house today. Think of it as a thanks for coming don to help the poor sods stuck in this cesspool." The bartender return to back to cleaning a glass mug. "But be careful out there. Besides the gangs and desperate thieves a bunch of murders, rapists, and deranged sorcerers and inventors like stalking the streets for victims." He warned her, his encounter with Malius still fresh in his mind.

---

Overlook Hotel

The half elf took the papers and walked to the back as the turning gears and screeching noise of tape belonging to a analytical engine can be heard. After a few minutes has passed the half elf would come back smiling. "Your papers have been accepted ma'am, please enjoy your stay." The half elf said as she gave her the key to her room.  After leaving the receptionist Venusta would find another elevator.

After the quick ride and tour through the hallway she would find her room. Once inside she would find a beautiful room that one would believe was the chamber best fit for royalty.

Outside she can still hear the rain pounding against the glass of the window, the rings of electric trolleys and bells from steam carriages and a few honks from the few automobiles on the road.

---

Sibyl and many others were confused by what Sera said about themselves, some wondered if she was crazy or if she was repeating the insults that her parents threw at her, though most picked crazy. When the girl finally revealed who she was most tried and failed to show their disgust and weariness upon seeing her.

"What on Numina are you?" Sibyl heard the dwarf say upon seeing Sibyl. The only ones not bothered by Ana's appearance were the automatons who contuine on working as though Ana didn't exist to them. When she mention on going to the next case Author looked at Sibyl, the loom he was giving her was obvious on him asking if she really wanted to bring Ana with her.

"Let's go now before the rain washes away the evidence." She said as some if the cops went on to the steam carriages and the vehicle began to move to the next crime scene. Going through the broken down streets of Blighttown the cops ignored the scenery around them, yet Sibyl looked out to see the dark side of industrial progress and rapid urbanization, the failures of modern institutions within the city.

When they arrived at the crime scene it was in a alleyway. When the investigation team found the next body most were chilled by the large gaping hole at the victim's throat, like the other victim this one was missing limbs only this time their current victim was missing his legs. When Wick went down next to the body he cursed. "His voice box is missing." He stated as he kept examining the body. Lifting up the victims shirt they found a boot-shape bruise.

Sibyl began to look around in the ally with the other cops to find anymore clues. The half elf true to ignore the foul presence coming from the body, the clue that the murderer from the first crime scene was also the same one responsible for this murder.

[Toaslandia]

Malius grunted upon hitting the wall, but soon recovered from it, and as soon as he got up, he kicked up some dirt on the ground and ran down the alley, knocking objects over to block the way. He heard the smashing of objects as the thugs used the ogres to destroy his distractions, but it didn't matter. He had been an assassin for a while now and knew how to escape spots like that, Eventually, he made it back to the same bar he was in before, sat down, and said to the bartender, "Friendly neighborhood around here. I'll take some water and fish." He pulled out the last of the money he had on him and set it on the bar, but also pulled out a dagger while looking over his shoulder at the door.

[Naval Monte]

The bartender looked at Maluis as he came running back in. "Let me guess, you ran into a group with ogre brothers right? Those fuckers like hanging out here to jump on anyone who they think is too drunk to fight them off." The half orc gave the masked man his drink and went to the back to cook the fish.

As the fish was being cooked the door was slammed open to reveal the goblin from the group. As the goblin took out a knife he began to charge towards the mask man, letting out an anicent goblin war cry as he rose the knife up in the air.

[Toaslandia]

Malius was just about to take a drink when he heard the goblin's war cry. He lifted his dagger and spun around, aiming for the goblin's chest, hoping for it to plunge right into it's heart. Unfortunately, the goblin's knife met his dagger in the air, and Malius kicked the goblin back, hitting it against a wall. "A little help here!?" Malius yelled at the two patrons sitting at the bar.

[Prusselanden]

Blight Town
"I'll be sure to keep an eye out tonight, but we have methods of protecting ourselves so that nobody bothers us." Julian smiled at the bartender warmly. "Thank you for your kindness, but please at least take some payment for the service."

Just then, the suspicious masked man had again entered into the bar and had seemed to have gotten into a scuffle with a local gang. Not only that, but in his fight with the goblin, he seemed to be requesting help from Jules and Jonah. Jonah did not want to help him, sensing a sinister aura about Malius and feeling as if he could smell blood on the assasin's clothes. Jules, however, could not stand and watch either participant kill the other, and so pulled a saw out of her bag, rushing into the middle of the fight.

"Ok, let's not get hasty here...."

Jonah facepalmed as he prepared to fire one of his magical beams if necessary.

[Toaslandia]

At the sight of Jules' saw, Malius smirked. "A doctor, are you? Hopefully you know how to use that in combat." But just then, the goblin recovered and lunged at Malius, cutting a small gash on his arm. Malius grunted and swiftly threw a knife at the goblin, who dodged it. But Malius then charged the goblin, slamming him against the wall before slashing it across the throat. The goblin wasn't dead yet, but soon he would be. Malius picked up the knife he threw and wiped the blood on his dagger off on the goblin's shirt and turned to Jules and Jonah. "Well then, doctor, this goblin seems to need your help." He then sat back on his chair and took a sip of his water.

[Prusselanden]

At the sight of Jules' saw, Malius smirked. "A doctor, are you? Hopefully you know how to use that in combat." But just then, the goblin recovered and lunged at Malius, cutting a small gash on his arm. Malius grunted and swiftly threw a knife at the goblin, who dodged it. But Malius then charged the goblin, slamming him against the wall before slashing it across the throat. The goblin wasn't dead yet, but soon he would be. Malius picked up the knife he threw and wiped the blood on his dagger off on the goblin's shirt and turned to Jules and Jonah. "Well then, doctor, this goblin seems to need your help." He then sat back on his chair and took a sip of his water.

Jonah winced as Malius offed the goblin. His guts weren't lying when they told him to be wary of the hooded stranger. At least in this incident, it was a self-defense killing and not something done out of sick pleasure or for money. After the fight was over, Jona let his guard down and walked over to Jules, who was conflicted over what to do next. It would be a miracle for this goblin to live after having his throat slit, yet, the next solution would be to put him down before he suffered too much and she wasn't ready to do a mercy killing.

"You can't save him. The blade went through his windpipe."

"I know I know, I guess I have no choice then." Jules gently flipped him onto his side and put her hands at the base of his neck and his head. With a quick movement, Jules severed the goblin's brain from his spinal chord.

"Wait for me a minute." Jules picked up the goblin and dragged him to the outside of the bar, then re-entered, wringing her hands. "I hate when it comes to that."

[Menschenfleisch]

Ana Asakku

"Well, I'm not sure what I am. That's the point! Or at least, I think it might've been, when I was first created. Man, it's lucky that I'm just a child with little recollection of my past; I think I might've turned out very differently if I could remember all the trauma."

When the "team" left to find the alleyway where their next designated victim was, ana tagged along with them. She could easily have navigated the rooftops, found a faster way to get where they were heading; heck, she smelled the blood from dozens of metres away. Thing was, she hadn't really been in such a situation before. She'd heard of people working with the police in the slums, but she'd never been so personally involved. It was actually pretty cool to see the authorities doing something possibly useful for a change, rather than breaking down doors and getting drunk on mead.

"So this is the second victim you've seen tonight? Hmm... well, I can't really say that I can really pinpoint who might've killed him. There's the dozens of Festerers working downtown who might've taken him out as part of their initiation ritual, or a couple of Garravian Zends who could have needed his parts for some kind of ritual. The smell, though. It seems kind of... familiar? I definitely recognise it from somewhere."

[Toaslandia]

At the sight of Jules' saw, Malius smirked. "A doctor, are you? Hopefully you know how to use that in combat." But just then, the goblin recovered and lunged at Malius, cutting a small gash on his arm. Malius grunted and swiftly threw a knife at the goblin, who dodged it. But Malius then charged the goblin, slamming him against the wall before slashing it across the throat. The goblin wasn't dead yet, but soon he would be. Malius picked up the knife he threw and wiped the blood on his dagger off on the goblin's shirt and turned to Jules and Jonah. "Well then, doctor, this goblin seems to need your help." He then sat back on his chair and took a sip of his water.

Jonah winced as Malius offed the goblin. His guts weren't lying when they told him to be wary of the hooded stranger. At least in this incident, it was a self-defense killing and not something done out of sick pleasure or for money. After the fight was over, Jona let his guard down and walked over to Jules, who was conflicted over what to do next. It would be a miracle for this goblin to live after having his throat slit, yet, the next solution would be to put him down before he suffered too much and she wasn't ready to do a mercy killing.

"You can't save him. The blade went through his windpipe."

"I know I know, I guess I have no choice then." Jules gently flipped him onto his side and put her hands at the base of his neck and his head. With a quick movement, Jules severed the goblin's brain from his spinal chord.

"Wait for me a minute." Jules picked up the goblin and dragged him to the outside of the bar, then re-entered, wringing her hands. "I hate when it comes to that."

As Malius finished his water, he turned to Jules and Jonah. "Sorry about having to off that bloke. Well I'm actually not sorry, but I thought you might not like it if I simply said 'Wow, that was fun.' But anyways, I thought I'd leave after killing the little blighter, but I actually have some questions for you." Upon saying this, Malius leaned forward and said, "You're locals in Blighttown, right? My client's paying big bucks for my services, and I feel like being generous today. If you help me with my....business, I'll give you, let's see, about ten percent of the pay." He flicked his dagger in the air and caught it while saying this, hoping to lure them into agreeing so he could possibly back stab them later, or maybe not. He hadn't quite decided yet.

[Prusselanden]

Jonah winced as Malius offed the goblin. His guts weren't lying when they told him to be wary of the hooded stranger. At least in this incident, it was a self-defense killing and not something done out of sick pleasure or for money. After the fight was over, Jona let his guard down and walked over to Jules, who was conflicted over what to do next. It would be a miracle for this goblin to live after having his throat slit, yet, the next solution would be to put him down before he suffered too much and she wasn't ready to do a mercy killing.

"You can't save him. The blade went through his windpipe."

"I know I know, I guess I have no choice then." Jules gently flipped him onto his side and put her hands at the base of his neck and his head. With a quick movement, Jules severed the goblin's brain from his spinal chord.

"Wait for me a minute." Jules picked up the goblin and dragged him to the outside of the bar, then re-entered, wringing her hands. "I hate when it comes to that."

As Malius finished his water, he turned to Jules and Jonah. "Sorry about having to off that bloke. Well I'm actually not sorry, but I thought you might not like it if I simply said 'Wow, that was fun.' But anyways, I thought I'd leave after killing the little blighter, but I actually have some questions for you." Upon saying this, Malius leaned forward and said, "You're locals in Blighttown, right? My client's paying big bucks for my services, and I feel like being generous today. If you help me with my....business, I'll give you, let's see, about ten percent of the pay." He flicked his dagger in the air and caught it while saying this, hoping to lure them into agreeing so he could possibly back stab them later, or maybe not. He hadn't quite decided yet.

Jona was definitely confllicted for a while on what they should do. They did need the money. But....it wasn't worth risking their lives for this guy. The business he was talking about sounded like nothing less then shady and not very safe at all. Yet again...

Jona's blood chilled as Malius flicked his dagger, and he huddled closer to Jules.

What would he do if they said no? Jules had a chance of fighting him off, but would she make it out alive?

"Oh! Um...we would love to help you, only..." Jules gave Jona "the look". Jona nodded and immediately started coughing. "Jona! Oh dear, let me feel your forehead..." She put one hand on his head. "Oh no, you're burning up with a fever, you poor thing. I'm sorry sir, I'm afraid can't help you right now. I'll have to take care of my physician-in-training today." She lied to Malius while Jona groaned, laying his head on the table.

"My head...it....hurts...."

[Britanania]

Venusta

Venusta took a few moments to take in what would essentially be her base of operations during her inquisition. With the local Pontiff's support, she had all the resources at her disposal. At the Overlook, she could come and go as she pleased given how much money the Ecclesiarchy paid them for this room. As a special guest Venusta knew she had free reign.

Now it was time to get to work. Taking her keys to her room labelled "217", Venusta made sure the door was locked as she returned to the lobby. Before departing the young woman went to the front desk.

"I'll be coming back a little later tonight," she informed the receptionist before she exited out onto the rainy streets of Lumina.