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

[Prusselanden]

Party
"Perhaps you should let me help." Jules knelt down next to Iris and held her hand out for the bandage. "Jonah, if you can access the main room, please fetch my bag. If it's too dangerous for you, we'll have to improvise with kitchen knives."

"The fuck are you doing?" Jonah slapped her hand away. "This dude tried to kill us. We aren't getting him any medical attention."

"If I was free I'd kill you you little brat!" The man spat. "You think I'm going to talk? Even if you torture me to death, I won't let out a peep. Try to make me talk all you want." he smiled at Iris maliciously.

But it seemed the shock of the attack was waning in the midst of a much bigger problem for them arising-pressing charges against Jules. The doctor heard the elf and the orc talking. Her mood suddenly dampened. "I'm really sorry about this whole mess. I really am...if she wants to press charges, then I guess that's fine..." Jules looked at Iris. "Well, if I have to go to court, Jonah still makes an excellent physician's assistant, so he'll still be prime hiring material for your father's factory."

"You're just accepting this situation and going to court then?" Jonah's eyebrow twitched. "Wow, I can't believe my mom trusted you to take care of me!"

"Well we can make a break for it and get gunned down by peelers later." Jules shrugged. "Let's just cooperate for now...besides, I feel bad for ruining the lady's party. She seems nice. And I want to not make this more hard on her than neccessary."

[Alaroma]

Iris Amcotts

---

When Jules came by the help the man who attacked them, she was perplexed. Why would she help him? Her getting close also kind of ruined the mild intimidation she had in mind for the guy, but it couldn't be helped now could it. She sighed, steadily wrapping the leg. Couldn't let him bleed out before the Police got him. Of course Jonah was rather opposed to giving aid as well, leading him to slapping her hand away from the man. The disrespect she heard couldn't be ignored, so it was rather annoying to her at best.

"If I was free I'd kill you you little brat!" The man spat. "You think I'm going to talk? Even if you torture me to death, I won't let out a peep. Try to make me talk all you want." he smiled at Iris maliciously. Iris struck him hard across the face, the man sliding across the floor, sliding into the wall. She stood up saying “You don't talk like to a child.”, before walking landing a nasty kick in his gut. “Don't make me kill you before the police arrive.” she in a rather cold manner.

Of course she heard the situation with Jules, and sighed. It wasn't like what they said didn't make sense. “She can't be blamed for these people coming after her practically.” She noted, “However if Miss Ashwood really wanted to, I reckon she could.” She said, not sure what she could do to manage the entire situation. “Look, there must be something that can be done.” Timothy said, his sympathy coming out.

Iris sighed, holding the bridges of her nose, while looking down. Jules seemed hopeless, but the reaction of Jonah was rather shocking. “I don't know Jonah, that's kind of harsh.” Timothy said. “I'm sure she wants what's best for you.” When Jules talked about getting gunned down, she was undoubtedly right on that mark too. “We'll think of something, right Iris?” Timothy asked. Iris let off a deep sigh, astounded by the amount of shit she had to deal with tonight. “Best we can do is appeal to her best sensibilities.”

[Greater Redosia]

Too much air in airship

Steel contemplated from his location on the dirigible, staring at the tall tower giving the sky what could be a metaphorical middle finger. However, it meant more to Steel than the other passengers would first believe it to. He was given information, from an informant who was supposed to be attending the party. Of course he didn't know a thing about the informant or why they came to him with the information, but Steel quickly accepted it and rushed his way to the location. He was forced to frown when he originally arrived it was blocked off due to a party of some sorts, so public access was restricted heavily. Thankfully, there is always more ways than one into entering a building, a way that he personally enjoyed more than simply walking through a couple of open doors. Walking to the door that stood between the inside and the outside he let out a sigh, this being heard by the pilot of the airship turning him around.

"Is there a problem sir?" The pilot would ask him, the man nodding and opening the door allowing him to feeling the colder air outside.

"Yes, there just isn't enough air in here. I'm going outside for some of the fresh stuff." he replied. Which he would then take a few steps back and run towards the now open exit, shooting himself forward at an amazingly fast speed towards the tower. Doing a twirl in midair his coat opened up and started to let him glide towards his destination, almost feeling the thrill of the impact where he would make his entrance. Remembering the need to investigate and solve cases on his own, it was his life and he was going to reclaim it in this single moment.

Which would've been the case if not for a sudden gust of wind to his right, blowing him completely off course and instead to glide down towards a street, but being too high and heading straight towards a large windowed cafe, the rich kind. Bracing he flipped onto his back in the air and kept his legs slightly bent and his arms to cover his face, along with gripping onto his hat. Where the noise suddenly blended into one, first came the crash of the window as his legs broke through, sending shards flying everywhere inside. Steel would then start to do flips whilst continuing his crash landing, smashing into a table which to him felt like someone hitting him with a pillow filled with flour breaking the legs and sliding against the floor until he hit the counter with a thud, this time feeling like a normal pillow. Steel slowly got himself to sit up and slump back against the counter, his head resting as he looked at the damage he caused. Turns out he broke two tables, he simply didn't feel the second one and the window was completely shattered with only a few pieces left hanging in place where they once were.

Everyone that was there quickly left, without paying a dime for their expensive drinks that they could've gotten from a store down the road for not even half the price. Steel's ears ringing as he tried to focus after surviving the landing. "Just...another day's work for Steel Associates...." he mumbled to himself, getting up onto his own two feet. Looking around at the now abandoned cafe, though Steel knew he wouldn't be alone for long.

[Demincia]

Amos rubbed his eyes to keep them awake. He'd been awake on long time, and on horseback for most of it. It was hard on a person, especially one his age to ride so long. The information he'd gotten about his bounty target turned out to not be as fresh as the store clerk led on, and he missed his man by three days. Missing out was a part of the job, but it didn't mean he had to like it. He'd thought about going back to that store and telling the store clerk where he could stick his information, but he decided against it. Being wanted in one country was more than enough to last a lifetime.

He reached into a pouch and pulled out a carrot, and leaned forward to feed it to Friday. "Easy there, that's my girl. We'll be done soon." The horse ate the carrot and jerked her head to one side. "I know, I don't like riding out for no reason either, but there ain't nothin' that can be done about it. We'll head on out in a day or two and see if we can get a trail." He patted the mare's neck and sat back up with a sigh. It seemed like killing was all he ever got done doing, no matter how hard he tried to avoid it. All those young men thought they wanted to be a famous gunfighter, but the truth of the matter was that it wasn't that fun at all if you weren't touched in the head enough to like killing folk. He never dreamed of becoming 'Sunrise Hewitt, fastest gun in the West', he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and got stuck with the burden.

A victim of circumstance.

A victim.

Everyone was a victim in their own way. Amos was a victim of the fickle hand of fate, blocking the road with a mudslide making him detour into Widow's Creek a day before a massacre. Richie Carlisle was a victim of Amos' circumstance too, he found himself dead by one of Amos' .45 slugs to the chest. Amos didn't shed no tears for Richie Carlisle, but he wondered sometimes what he would do if he had the chance to do it over, knowing what he does now. Would he still shoot Richie, dooming the Carlisle Gang to the gallows and countless other young men to his own gun?

Or is the world better without a robber and murderer like Carlisle and his gang in it, along with all of the other criminals Amos killed? Are those boys that just wanted to be famous a toll paid for the betterment of society? Or are they wastes of life, potential, and dreams because of one unexpected turn towards a railway town?

Amos shook his head. "I need a drink." he muttered to himself. "All this ridin's got my head full of stuff." He turned down a few roads, eventually finding himself outside of a pub. He slid down out of the saddle and guided Friday to a hitching post. She leaned down to drink water from the trough, and Amos gave her a few gentle slaps on the side. "There, girl. You earned it." He stepped away from the horse and walked into the building.

He was used to drawing eyes, both in this town and in Kellibrir. If his attire or weapons didn't get people's attention, the clinking of spurs probably did. He didn't even bother looking side to side as he strode straight to the bar and leaned against it. He signaled for the bartender to come his way. "Howdy, barkeep. I'll take a whiskey. Strong, if you got it." he said, sliding a pair of coins across the bar. He adjusted his hat for the lighting, and took out a cigarette paper and began to fill it with tobacco.

[True Refuge]

Everton Tallow
Some Long Minutes Earlier

After the fly had delivered its message, Everton brushed it away. Not much of the message were surprising. Some of the waitstaff's gaits had a slight unnatural lilt to them, likely countering the uneven weight of a concealed weapon under their uniforms and formal clothing. Clever of Ashwood, of course, but it seemed off for her. If they were matching their employer's style, the guards would be out in full force, intimidating anyone who so much as reached into their jacket to check the time. She appeared to be weeding back the gaudy, flashy exterior the world knew her for, if only a little. Nevertheless, the traditionalists milling around marveling at the attractions and food would appreciate it. Why was she doing that?

Moments before he could voice his numerous objections, such as the lack of instruction he'd received on whatever plan she'd in all likelihood made up on the spot, the Cadian sprung off only a few beats later. Everton opened his mouth to hiss his distaste but by the time he was uttering the first syllable she was already out of whispering range. Did she mishear him? It seemed to be an annoying trend with everyone involved in this mission. With yet another scowl rapidly overcoming his expression, he followed suit. The champagne, still full, accompanied him.

The dining room almost parted in her wake as she moved in the direction of their host, drawing an assortment of well-disguised leers and envious up-turned noses from some of other party-goers depending on class. They all quickly turned to condescending smiles as their eyes flicked down to Venusta's dress, immediately out of place among the exquisite ball and evening gowns adorning most of the high-society women watching her passage. He pushed through them, muttering his excuses from a few steps behind Venusta.

Once the obstructions of the other partygoers' were finally out of the way, Everton saw a head of white hair appear among the crowd, next to Ashwood. Odd. That was quite the uncommon colour to be found around Lumina. He slowed his pace. Venusta too moved, revealing the rest of the white-haired man. His hand clenched his cane hard, surely turning his knuckles white under his gloves. If it was him... After a blissful twenty-five years, one of them went to the same party as him! Damn Blackstone and the rest—he needed to avoid that conversation at all costs, and remove himself from the party too, if he could. The chances! He couldn't imagine Ichiru coming to a place like this; it was anathema to him. Yet, even with the strange lack of colour—exceptional for blending into snow—the man was clearly of the East, a face that refused to be forgotten. Every second revealed more, from the traditional Anjinese formal robes cladding the man to the air of passive bewilderment surrounding him and his little neutral smile. The memories of that figure, despite most of them being aged more than twenty-five years of age, leaped back to Everton as if freshly made. Very few of them alleviated the urge to merge into the party and disappear.

He took a curve away from them to find Blackstone. Venusta could handle it herself, with whoever she really was. That doctor's chair was empty now. Where had she disappeared to? But Venusta was already gesturing to him, introducing 'her husband', and they were turning to look at him. He snapped up at them with a smile and paced to them. Now Ashwood was in right in front of him and Venusta by his side, the latter too close and spouting off a cover he'd never been given, with a man the sight of whom had nearly made him flinch. That Cadian! Not that the blame rested solely on her shoulder. Blackstone had the privilege of sharing that burden. The way she had structured this entire mission was becoming and more and more improvisational by the minute. Ascribing any sort of 'structure' too it seemed to be going too far.

"Indeed," he nearly spluttered, although his glance was fixed squarely on Ashwood. Hopefully his reaction would be seen as only to Ashwood's splendorous choice of outfit, or perhaps that of a sycophant finally meeting their idol. He quickly composed himself. "Lucas Estrange, Miss Ashwood. I'm with the Don Loireg Trading Group Textiles subsidiary in Alba. I must say, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. My wife and I are great admirers of your charity work." He conjured a narrow smile, ignoring the short quizzical looks the Anjinese man was prodding him with.

Before the conversation could continue and the ridiculous disguise Venusta had devised fall apart upon the slightest scrutiny, gunshots rang out from the off-limits corridors of the penthouse. Deep, undoubtedly a shotgun's cries. They were answered by powerful roars of pain, reverberating throughout the dining room. The party went dead silent for a moment, conversations interrupted by each of the pops. Everton, like the others, reflexively glanced in the direction they came from with a deep frown. He didn't flinch, which he cursed himself for. A sheltered businessman like ‘Lucas Estrange’ would probably have had a heart attack upon hearing one that close.

Several more gunshots, and the air of panic and adrenaline set in. Much of the crowd started screaming and yelling, despite Ashwood's calls for calm and the security's futile attempts to prevent the stampede. In the middle of it all, Everton tensed, with a watchful eye on the corridor nearest to the shots, and the bludgeons and guns the guards were drawing. What on Numina was this party? By his side, his fingers danced down his cane's length. They came to be poised over several critical spots, ready to press down and twist, Blackstone's mask's limitations be damned. He couldn't resist; he stole a look to his side. The Anjinese had settled for a spot several steps back, crouching slightly as if to make a sprint. But the sweat on him, the time he seemed to take to worry about others rather than assess the situation... What had happened to his combat training?

Everton watched as the situation devolved even further. Ashwood's maid entered the fray, parting the crush with ease and a deadpan look. There was a bat flying around, somehow. Everything from the last five minutes raised a myriad of questions. The exits were still blocked despite the staff's best efforts. All he could do was wait for it to be over. The Anjinese was hurling beams and balls of light at the panicked crowd. He had no doubt it was Hashimoto. That magic was unmistakable. Many a Taurican had been blinded in the face of it. And yet Everton pretended to cower, as if powerless to affect his circumstances. How wrong that was, but he wasn't sure if Blackstone deserved assistance with this disaster.

The end of the chaos came only a little while after the first gunshots. No more was there yelling and screaming, although one of the guards was shouting off in some interior corridor, probably the shooter. That Jonah boy had disappeared. Everton had barely made a move in the midst of it all, and the action had avoided him for the most part. Infuriatingly, the Anjin asked him to assist. He spun around away from the fallen crowds and smiled apologetically.

"I'm afraid my wife may be in some sort of shock, Miss Ashwood," he said timidly and making weak gestures toward Venusta and the exit, just the right confusion for this mess. Thankfully, she seemed to be maintaining the same facade of twitchy, nonreactive fear he'd put on, and Ichiru was looking away from him. "Would you mind keeping Venusta safe while I fetch her sister? I fear she’s been trampled in the, uh, rush to evacuate." He gave a quick nod to the back and dashed off.

That Sera girl was milling around the unconscious crowd, searching for something. Everton glared at her and her ridiculous markings. She was a glowing red beacon in the mess. "Sera!" he snapped, master to a servant. "The bodies, quickly!"

He glanced over the piles, spying another blackish dress just as plain as Venusta's. His expression soured. Of course Blackstone had been caught up in it. He pointed at her as he crouched down beside the bodies, hands reaching out to pull the strangers covering her with abandon. "Get Blackstone first," he commanded. "I need to speak to her."

[Menschenfleisch]

Scooby Doo and Shaggy Buy a Hotdog

"Like, Scoobs! You were my best friend! I trusted you!" the young boy screamed his words through the rain, feeling hail and water pelting down upon his face. Here at the precipice, at the edge of the world, he could see the sea for what it really was. A charnel house, filled with bones. Ships with broken backs lay across the reefs, cadavers floated in the water: their bones borne aloft by masses of sticky, bouyant algae. Far in the distance, where the black clouds broke, there was a single beam of light. That vaunted treasure which so many had tried to seize, and none had been able to find. He shifted his foot through the grass, feeling spent bullet casings and blades beneath his heel.

"Well, Shaggy... you gotta do what you Scooby Dooby Doo." the dog pulled his hat down over his eyes, covering his ears as he planted a slug in his old friend's chest. The impact was like that of a sledge against his heart. He watched as twenty years of history, life and camaraderie bled out on the earth, and he watched it fall backward, dashing itself upon the rocks. He didn't know whether this was the right thing to do. Hell, he didn't even know whether this could be done. But he'd taken the first step now, and there truly was no turning back. He glanced at the corpses of Velma, Fred and Velma, stewing in their own blood. The first to fall, the first to fail. Their packs were still here, with bundled of wiring and gas pipes still jutting out. He only hoped that the mechanic had been as meticulous as he remembered. Straps over his shoulders, Scooby Doo launched off into the sky, seeking that angelic light that he had sacrificed so much for. Lost more than he could remember, given away more than he could forget. This had to be worth it. There was no other conclusion to be made, unless he was insane. He wasn't crazy, right? This was it. This was what all of humanity had been trying to do for all of two decades. He had to do this, he had to find it...!

*Putter putter putter*

The dog collapsed at the edge, paws digging deep into the sand. Loam and clay slid under his chest as he dragged himself forward. This was it. The light here was so warm. He had not felt such heat, and gentleness in... oh god, had it really been that long? He propped his face up in beach sand to look at his prize; a young woman standing behind a metal stand, emblazoned with red and yellow. There was a tin roof above her head, and the smell of pork. Christ, pork! Real pork, not the shit they shovelled out at the nuclear shelters. Not the slop that the bandits scavenged, either. Real meat that didn't carry the burden of cannibalism. But he couldn't see them. He couldn't taste them. "Pwease," he yelped. "Just let me look at one..." the girl rolled her eyes. "Sir, this is... oh, you know what? Fuck it. I don't know why I even agreed to do this stupid skit." she clicked her fingers and then a twenty megaton nuclear explosion obliterated Scooby, the island, and all the hotdogs.

The world watched on until the last embers faded, and the last thing they'd ever aspire for was burnt to ash.

Aka Aka Aka Aka Ana Ana Ora Ora Iki Iki Sakku Sakku Sakk! I was really hoping to avoid the trope of making Sera innocent and ungodly levels of competent at the same time. Heck, I guess.

Once the balls of light stopped flying, Ana had to admit that everything was basically under control. The guests, unconscious as they were, posed essentially no threat to anyone at this point. The vast majority were incapacitated, although she doubted that they'd simply allow the mage who'd knocked them all out to walk away scot free. Honestly, how had things devolved so much? The guests were all civilised people, after all. She would have been shocked if anyone had been hurt. Though, to be fair, it wasn't her problem. Who was going to go after a street urchin? If these people came to blows, legal or otherwise, she'd be safe. So, with relatively little to worry about, Everton's order seemed to be entirely reasonable. She rubbed the blindness out of her eyes and set about scrounging up bodies, tossing them over in her search for Sib. "Hey, hey!" she patted the prone woman's cheek a bit, knowing that she must be dazed. "Wake up! We gotta go. Alex's got the evacuation sorted, we don't have time to molly about!"

[Prusselanden]

Party
Konrad flew down in his bat form and hovered above Sybil, squeaking loudly in hopes of waking her up out of her daze. Everyone seemed to be unconscious now, so they didn't have time to sleep before making their way out. If he needed to, he could also distract the security and Ashwood if needed in this furry form while the rest of them ran.

Jules and Jonah
The man groaned when he was punched into a wall and kicked, soon slumping over. "Heh....fuck you...."

He refused to say anything more.

Jonah was still in a bad mood, but went quiet when Tim told him he was being harsh. He was mad that Jules would let herself so easily get charged with something she couldn't be blamed for, but again, the circumstances they were in was sketchy.

"Timothy, It's going to be fine, we'll see how this plays out." Jules smiled at the boy and patted his head. All I need to do is to not unravel Sybil's plans....I need to think of something.... "If she chooses to charge me, then fine. She's been affected greatly by this after all. But if you could take in Jonah if I go to court, that would be greatly appreciated."

[Alaroma]

Iris Amcotts

---

Iris sighed, rather irritated now. She would have to see this woman not get charged with anything preferably, as directly taking ownership of Jonah seems like declaring war on whatever group is after him. Besides, separating the two would be on the unpreferable outcomes list. “You know what?” She began, eyes closed momentarily, finger up in the air. “Let's cross that bridge when we get to it.” She said, her finger shaking in frustration. Besides that, she was inclined to let sleeping dogs lie for now.

Timoty went over to Iris, causing her to look down at her little brother. He signalled for her to come closer to his stature, before he took out a handkerchief, pulled her closer to him, then wiped her face. Apparently she had blood splattered there, and Timothy was kind enough to address it. He could assume it wasn't her blood, she didn't have any notable cuts or wounds.

She looked at the handkerchief, and saw the deep maroon spread on the normally white handkerchief. She sighed, before pulling Timothy in for a hug. She had his head essentially adjoined to her chest, before saying “I'm so sorry this night turned out like this, Timothy. I didn't think things would end up like this.” He sort of just stood there, before whispering “Well I think we have bigger problems now.”

He was on the mark, they did have larger problems that they had to deal with. For now she was going to ignore her frustrations, and take it out on her hug with Timothy. Timothy for his part let it happen, despite the fact that he was increasingly smothered by Iris love. Of course when the hug got to tight, he eventually began pulling the side of her jacket. Realizing what that meant, he loosened up.”

[Luminesa]

Ichiru heaved a heavy sigh, as though he was releasing all the air in his lungs with a single breath. He stared around the room at all of the attendees, now lying unconscious in piles around the room. He had begun to move several of them, alone, and had waited for Mr. “Estrange” to come and to help. He had asked for his help, after all, as he seemed to be a decently muscular fellow. Yet the man had drawn away in fear, instead, and had turned to speak to Ashwood. Ichiru was surprised, as something told him this man was no ordinary invitee. He had not panicked at the sound of the gunshots, unlike Ichiru himself, who detested firearms. Is he afraid of Ashwood discovering him?...Something about...his own Magic?...Or is he somehow involved?

He looked to the bodies, and then turned to look toward the door. The gunshots had stopped for now, but he did not know if entering the hallway would be safe. Carrying bodies into unknown circumstances was not a safe idea either, now that he took the time to think. He frowned, and turned once again toward the peculiar man with the cane. The man was heading toward the door, and so Ichiru followed him. He kept at a distance and let him turn away before he started after him, hoping to get into the hallway and to find whatever threat was coming toward the party. Once the threat was eliminated, the task of moving all the unconscious attendees would be much easier.

The front entrance of the room was also full of bodies, now lying unconscious as well. They made leaving the room difficult, and he would have to move them in order to get into the hallway. Fortunately, he found “Estrange” looking over the bodies as well, and pulling them aside in order to look for someone. He was looking toward a woman who had worn a dress similar to Venusta’s, but he could not reach her. She was deep under the piles, trampled and injured.

As he noticed the glowing girl trying to help “Estrange” by reaching for her, he walked toward Sera and decided to give her a hand. He rolled bodies out of the way, digging until he reached the woman. “...There we go...” With a careful pull, he tugged her out from under the bodies, and he examined her injuries. “...Hello, Miss...Are you alright?” he spoke, his eyes flickering to “Estrange”, as he spoke. Now that he’s seen me helping her, he will approach, and I can see him more closely... he thought.

[True Refuge]

Everton Tallow

Only moments away from freeing Blackstone, Everton heard footsteps approaching from behind. He looked out of his eye at their source finding it was Ichiru again, still with that curious, flickering gaze. With a quick turn away to hide his face, Everton swatted the bat that was flying around above them and glowered at it. No point in trying to warn Blackstone now; Ichiru might hear it, and all their unpleasantness would unfold with his disguise.

The amount of time he had to dig at the mess was so short; the Anjinese must have immediately followed him out of the dining room. Immediately! Leaving Venusta under their care had done nothing to waylay Ichiru's suspicions. Everton, though tense, settled for withdrawing from Blackstone a few paces. If he had been found out, the confrontation would be quick and public. For all of the care they had taken to avoid each other's offence in the past, Ichiru wouldn't be one to hesitate in giving a greeting after all this time.

As Ichiru became preoccupied pulled and moved the party-goers' bodies, he threw a sideways glare at Sera and touched his right index finger to his lips. Never mind that she didn't know his past. She knew his name, and that was enough to cause problems for all of them. He'd just have to wait, maybe until they'd finally made it out of the building. He turned back, worried and confused expression firmly back in place.

There he met Ichiru's flitting eyes. The Anjinese had obviously been waiting for it. Despite the unknowing flatness in the glance, the pose that Ichiru had struck over Blackstone's buried body called back an unwanted image which had long gone without recollection. For moment, in reddening snow, Ichiru knelt over a Taurican with a throwing knife in their chest, looking back at him in judgement. He nearly froze there, but instead he kept that awkward uncomfortable smile and clutched his cane even harder, taking solace in its magical currents. Dampened and hidden as they were, they still washed over him in a wave of sudden calm. That look he'd been given on the Taurican front had been one of too many.

Each memory Ichiru hadn't yet prompted was one more reason to stay collected and undiscovered. His association with him was one to be forgotten, and he'd have to try even harder to get rid of it now.

[Naval Monte]

Sibyl was having a hard time breathing as she felt more of her lungs being squeezed by the bodies of the guests. She can feel hands on her body and the small half elf couldn't help but to blush at some of the places those hands were touching her on. She was pushed towards and backwards by the mass of flesh, almost like she was trapped by the tidal force of the sea. Sibyl couldn't even use magic to save herself as her hands had little room to move and she couldn't properly recite any incantation, more importantly she was also too panicked to even concentrate on performing a spell and not have it fail on her at this moment.

Sibyl looked up when her ears picked up odd noises from the ceiling and saw Sera crawling on the ceiling just to save her. The half elf was glad to see the young girl trying to save her but some of the guests also saw Sera and in their drunken state they saw the young girl as a monster and it made them more terrified. More screaming was heard as Sibyl was pushed against the back of one if the guests, almost falling down on the floor as she felt another guests pressing against her back.

In her current position Sibyl was now worry that she would be crushed by the crowd or worse fall and be trampled. But just as those two outcomes seem to be likely for her that was when Ichuri and the guards joined to try and break up the crowd, starting with the ones that were fighting against each other. The half elf sensed magic being used but didn't know what was happening until she saw several flashes of light, making her shut in surprise as she closed her eyes.

Unfortunately this was the exact time for Sibyl to trip and fall, as she feared the people above her merely just walked over heror in some cases stepped on her. The half elf screamed out for help but her screams were rewarded with bodies falling on top of her. The half elf was breathing deeply and quickly, hyperventilating in fear on what was happening to the crowd and what would happen to her? She didn't move from her spot even as she heard movement from outside the bodies. She saw light peaking through the bodies were being moved out of the way.

Sibyl closed her eyes immediately when the light hit her eyes. She slowly open her eyes and saw Sera, Everton in his disguise, and a pale Anjinese. The half elf had a few bruises on her arms, legs, and face, her dress had foot prints on them. Sibyl saw the Anjinese reaching out to help her get out of the pile. She brought up her sore arm and once she grabbed on she used his assistance to pull herself out.

Sibyl wobbled a bit and the grimace on her face told him that she was in pain. "Not sure. I don't feel anything important is broken but my entire body hurts." Sibyl told the man. Now free Sibyl was now giving some room to breath. She lean her body forward as she let out a long exhale, just enjoying the fact that her lungs were being pressed on. However this was the excat moment she heard the sound of something tearing close by, very close in fact.

With dread she look down and saw that her dress tore open. A hole on the abdomen greeted her. Sibyl would felt a tear on one of the hips and from the lower back. The half elf was now blushing bright red on her face as she tried to cover the hole. "Thank you for saving me but I have to go." She said quickly as she began to look around on the guests. Finding what she was looking for she knelt down and was trying to pry off a coat off one of the guests.

She turn her attention to Sera as she tried to remove the coat. "Where is Morgaine Sera?" Sibyl asked, concerned for her safety.

---

While the chaos in the penthouse was now resolved a new form of chaos was going to erupt in the building Steel broke in. Spirit boxes containing observer spectres saw the man literally fly into the building and the ectomorphic blobs reacted almost immediately as they moved through the conductive wires made to allow then to move rapidly. They reached to the storage units were the automaton security systems were stored in and after delivering the alarm to the guards the spirits in the units enter the automatons as the other spirits went to active the alarms.

Steel would hear a loud ringing being set off due to the ethereal familiars. The door would open and he would see tall humanoid constructs walking in. They had metal armor hiding the complex gears and machinery that made them operational, along with soul gem that powered them. However some gaps were present that exposed the machinery to allow them to move much more efficiently. The eyes of the automatons look more like the extended lens of goggles. The robots had no mouth to speak off save for three slits. They wore the same helmet as seen by metropolitan police officers.  The one in charge even wore a police style cloak.

"Halt intruder! You have broken into a restricted area." The scratching and mechanical tone of the robot's voice broke through the slits, the voice echoing through the room. The robots took out batons that were emitting electrical sparks. "Resistance will be met with appropriate force. Surround now and we will show you mercy." The robot warned. Down in the lobby the receptionist began to make a call to the police in the telephone to arrive once the alarms sound off.

[Luminesa]

Everton Tallow

Only moments away from freeing Blackstone, Everton heard footsteps approaching from behind. He looked out of his eye at their source finding it was Ichiru again, still with that curious, flickering gaze. With a quick turn away to hide his face, Everton swatted the bat that was flying around above them and glowered at it. No point in trying to warn Blackstone now; Ichiru might hear it, and all their unpleasantness would unfold with his disguise.

The amount of time he had to dig at the mess was so short; the Anjinese must have immediately followed him out of the dining room. Immediately! Leaving Venusta under their care had done nothing to waylay Ichiru's suspicions. Everton, though tense, settled for withdrawing from Blackstone a few paces. If he had been found out, the confrontation would be quick and public. For all of the care they had taken to avoid each other's offence in the past, Ichiru wouldn't be one to hesitate in giving a greeting after all this time.

As Ichiru became preoccupied pulled and moved the party-goers' bodies, he threw a sideways glare at Sera and touched his right index finger to his lips. Never mind that she didn't know his past. She knew his name, and that was enough to cause problems for all of them. He'd just have to wait, maybe until they'd finally made it out of the building. He turned back, worried and confused expression firmly back in place.

There he met Ichiru's flitting eyes. The Anjinese had obviously been waiting for it. Despite the unknowing flatness in the glance, the pose that Ichiru had struck over Blackstone's buried body called back an unwanted image which had long gone without recollection. For moment, in reddening snow, Ichiru knelt over a Taurican with a throwing knife in their chest, looking back at him in judgement. He nearly froze there, but instead he kept that awkward uncomfortable smile and clutched his cane even harder, taking solace in its magical currents. Dampened and hidden as they were, they still washed over him in a wave of sudden calm. That look he'd been given on the Taurican front had been one of too many.

Each memory Ichiru hadn't yet prompted was one more reason to stay collected and undiscovered. His association with him was one to be forgotten, and he'd have to try even harder to get rid of it now.

"Estrange" was too finicky and anxious. Ichiru knew now that the man recognized him as much as he recognized "Estrange", but neither of them seemed to know each other by name. The friction that flew between the two men kept them from speaking to each other, even though they were both curious about each other's reasons for being at the party. Neither of them had been comfortable at the party, and now they both were trying to avoid each other. However, they kept running into each other, and the more they met with each other, the more they realized how much they remembered about each other. Ichiru wanted to approach "Estrange" and to ask about his identity, but because he had to help save Blackstone from being crushed under the bodies, he was not able to pause to speak to his accidental companion.

When she realized that Ichiru had reached her, Blackmore took his hand and let Ichiru pull her to her feet. He looked her up and down, and noted the wince she gave as the wave of pain flashed through her body. Equally as painful was the huge tear in her dress, which showed her skin across her abdomen. She was mortified at this huge tear, and she fumbled to try and cover it. "...I imagine you're not feeling well after almost being crushed...Perhaps I can help you...?" She interrupted him while he was talking, explaining that she needed to go, and she hurried a few paces away from him. Confused, he walked after her, even though he felt rude doing so. After all, she had forgotten the coat she had tried to grab from a guest to try and cover the tear in her dress. Taking off his own jacket, he walked next to her and handed the dark velvet coat to her. "...Here. You can keep this," he finished, as he gave her a kind smile. "You ran away with that huge hole in your dress, and I knew you would be embarrassed and cold if you went outside like that."

As he finished speaking to her, his eyes flickered to her ears. He had never seen ears of that shape, and while he hid the surprise on his face well, he was curious seeing their odd structure. ...Pointed ears?...Interesting...Does she have some sort of...genetic abnormality?...Or is she...an...elf? He knew of many kinds of spirits, angels, demons, and creatures, but he had never seen an elf. Considering that he was mostly surrounded by humans, save the Doll-butler Silvia and whatever Ashwood and her daughter might be, seeing a creature he had only seen before in books was an odd occurrence. As an Elf, she would be a natural Magic-user. He did not know if she used Vim, or if she used the old Magic. Either way, he would discover more about her if he remained by her side. Remaining by her side seemed to mean he would also remain near "Estrange", and so he was effectively hitting two targets with one arrow.

[Prusselanden]

Party
Konrad let out a small bat snicker as he saw Sybil's awkwardly torn clothes, but felt a pang of worry as Sybil questioned where her daughter was. The girl was so small she could be easily crushed under all the people. Konrad immediately then turned around and flitted about, trying to detect Morgaine. He found her next to Alex and Elizabeth.

"Morgaine! Your mother's looking for you." He told the girl. "She's over there." He pointed to Sybil.

Jonah and Jules
Jules couldn't help but display a smile at the sibling affection. "Awww, you two have so much love for each other." The doctor cooed. Jonah was still worried about her landing in jail, though, and wasn't going to let himself get distracted by any sentimental matters.

Of course Alexandra may also blame Iris for this. I don't really want to get her to lose her job, despite her pretty roughly handling Jules. I got to find a way to make this not her fault either. She did save Jules...and they are offering her a job...

[Greater Redosia]

Detective John Steel

Steel brushed himself off, staring at the mechanical humanoid bodies with disappointment. Having to deal with something annoying such as this after falling several hundreds of feet from the air, only to completely miss your target and having to crash into some high end place. Steel doubted the thing knew about mercy, he didn't believe a single damned word out of the mouth, if that is what it could be called. So instead of allowing himself to relax and find a peaceful way to settle things, he planned his attempt at escape. Tilting his head lower to hide more of his face in the shadow cast by his hat

"I'm sorry but, I have somewhere to be. You'll sadly just be in my way." John quickly began to think on how to escape his current situation, time slowing down as if it were some motion picture in the cinemas. The first option was simply fighting the mechanical constructs with everything he had, he had the experience at fighting without a weapon and he had his revolver ready in the holster. There was also the debris which could be used as improvised weapons and his coat could be used to protect from the blows. But Steel quickly pushed the option out of his head, the batons were electrified which would make his clothes' ability useless and the constructs were most likely stronger than him. Fighting simply wasn't an option. Another idea was to flee away from them, into the building to try and lose them. But he'd most likely get lost while they corner him, probably beating him before taking him into custody and over to the law enforcement officers heading this way. It was only right for someone to do so, after your place of business was broken into.

Then there was one final thing he could do, the constructs weren't that much taller than him if a little more than a few inches. The ceiling thankfully was higher than anyone, which would make the move easier. "Well, I'll be leaving you to your troubles. I have an investigation to be on. I'm still looking for information!!!" John Steel grabbed a piece of wood and charge forward, taking a step then getting into a slight squat. He then propelled himself forward, twirling in the air for his coat to go out slightly and to be more accurate with the small burst of speed. While in mid roll, he thrusts the piece of wood into one of the exposed areas of the lead construct to lock their part. Going just above their head right out the very window he entered from. Landing with grace outside, "Goodbye you cast-iron bastards!" With that last comment, Steel was off. Most likely being chased by the very people he wanted to work for and protect. Taking to the roofs, he started running trying to find a single place to hide. Jumping from one block to another before catching his eyes on a restaurant, Karolina Fried Chicken. Dashing his way quickly to the front, he rushed in through the door and found a seat in the corner, his back to the door. Steel removed his hat revealing his face and his coat as well, looking completely. He is not as bulky nor is his face hidden from the light, sighing with relief now that he can try to lay low and recollect his thoughts on his investigation.

[Naval Monte]

Sibyl saw the coat and walk away to Ichuri and grab on to it. "Thank you." She said as she place the coat on her. "I appreciate the offer but I can do this on my own. I wasn't hurt too badly. I rather go home with my daughter and rest." She gave Ichuri a smile. "I was expecting most people in here to be too self absorbed with themselves to help others but I'm glad you proved me wrong." She would tell him. Ichuri would sense something from her that he was absent from most of the guests in the party; honesty.

Sibyl noticed his eyes going to her ears. "I know, it seems strange for an elf to be this small. I'm a half elf. That is why my features aren't as sharp as regular elves or why my hair is black instead of a lighter color more common to them." She explained, figuring that he was puzzled by why she didn't seem to resemble mention of the typical elf. At least she hoped that was the case and not that he had speciest attitudes towards elves?

Sibyl knew that orcs and ogres tend to be the most species to get humanity's ire and elves are the ones to often be spared from humanity's contempt due to their otherworldly being and being the most human looking even with the few traits that show that they are beings of the supernatural as opposed to the natural like man. Yet that didn't mean that there are humans that despise elvan kind and as much as she hate to admit it Sibyl knew that her kind have done much to give rise to those sentiments.

Those thoughts would however come to end as she heard her daughter's name being called out and that her mother was looking for her. Sibyl's ears twitched when she heard those as she look around to find her daughter. She would see Morgaine just as the young half elf would turn to look at her mother, she too heard her name being called.

Sibyl heard her daughter shouting out mommy and saw her rushing towards her. Sibyl was glad to see that she was okay. "I would love to stay and talk but I as I said I should be on my way." Her attention soon went away from Ichuri when she felt her daughter crashing on to her and giving her a hug. "I was so scared mom. I thought something happened to you." The little half elf said as she held on to her mother. Sibyl was brushing the hair on the back of her head as she spoke in a reassuring tone.

"I'm alright Morgaine, if anything I was more worried about you being safe than myself. You know mommy can take care of herself well. She wouldn't be able to catch all of the bad guys if she wasn't." She said to her daughter. That seem to work as she nodded while looking up at her, giving her a smile.

"You're ready to go sweety? I don't know about you but mommy is exhausted." Morgaine thought about leaving. She hadn't spend long with her new friends but she think that none of the adults would let them play now after what happened. "Can I say goodbye to my new friends?" She asked. Sibyl gave her daughter a smile. "Sure. You can say goodbye to your new friends." Morgaine let go off her mother and ran off to find the other kids.

Sibyl look to Everton just as Morgaine ran to where Elizabeth. "Tell my sister that I'm going. I rather not stay here for too long. Besides the party is over now. No reason to stay here." She told the man. Her fly familiars were flying over to find the other party members to tell the group to recorded message to leave the party. Sibyl would see Morgaine returning back with two pieces of papers. "What are those Morgaine?" The excited little girl replied with. "Elizabeth and Timothy gave me these me their phone numbers so I can call them."

Sibyl was conflicted at the news. On one hand she was glad to see her daughter making friends but on the other hand these kids had ties to her suspect, one was even the daughter of her suspect! This was a rather delicate matter she had to navigate through. "That's nice. Maybe nice time you all meet I will be close by just to make sure no one will interrupt you all." The little half elf was overjoyed at the news. "Yeah! No criminal will do anything bad if you are there with us."

The half elf chuckled. "Maybe. But right now mommy just wants to rest than watch out for criminals." She reach her hand out and Morgaine grabbed it. She look over to Ichuri. "It was nice meeting you. I hope we meet again so I can return your coat." She turn her attention to Everton. She knew that Everton was most likely, no positivly, furious about how this plan went. But how was she to plan a bunch of gang members breaking in and causing trouble?

As of now Sibyl was not aware of Jules ties to the criminals so for now she think the incident was just a random attack. The half elf knew that Everton at this stage was most likely not in any mood to speak to her so she simply say. "Tell me sister that I will be leaving. I wish you two good night." With those words Sibyl turned around and began to walk out of the penthouse.

The trip down the elevator and through the lobby was a blur. As they rode on a steam carriage Sibyl was left wondering what caused the attack to occur? Was it former workers of Ashwood trying to get revenge at their former employer? Agents sent by a rival Consortium? A group hired by the a crime boss? So many questions yet no answers. It frustrated her. Worse this whole mess occurred just as she was trying to investigate Ashwood. A small part of her even suspected this was all timed to sabotaged her investigation but she doubt Ashwood was aware of her presence in the party for most of the night. She doubt she would be aware of her investigating her.

As the carriage drop them by their house the detective and her daughter both enter. Both did their daily routine as both were now in sleeping gowns. The mother kissed her daughter on the cheek and wish her a goodnight. As Sibyl walk through the hallway she went to the kitchen and took out a container of ice cream from the fridge. She placed some of the frozen treat on a bowl and took out a glass as she went to the living room.

She placed both items on the table and sat down on the sofa. As she took her first spoonful of the white frozen dairy treat she ponder on what drink she should have with it. Being reminded on just how bad her night was and what some of her team mates would tell her in the morning the half elf decided on her strongest ales. The half elf got up and after a quick search return back to the couch and pour some brown ale on the glass.

With the two items the half elf decided to indulge herself to calm her frayed nerves and relax. After some time pass Sibyl would be glad that she put her daughter to sleep and that Mograine was a deep sleeper as Sibyl's laughter fill the empty halls, her low alcohol tolerance showing itself strongly as she was making a mess of both herself and the living room until she finally pass out.

---

Sibyl would hear the ringing coming from the door and she let out a loud groan. The half elf would slowly open her eyes, her vision blurry as she was feeling the effects of a hangover washing through her body. The half elf brush against the glass of a bottle on the floor and would spin it a few times before pushing it away. Sibyl would slowly get up. She would place her hand on her forehead. "Bloody hell what did I do last night?" She would complain as she tried to recollect her thoughts and remember what occurred last night.

The ringing only made her headache grow and feeling properly annoyed by it she got up and began to shuffle to the door, ignoring the empty bottles on the floor and table, and the stains of ice cream on the table, couch, and floor. As Sibyl walk to the door she would unlock it open it, shielding her eyes from the light of the rising sun for a second before putting her arm down to look at who was standing before her.

"Oi why are you ringing at my door at this time? It's still early." She told the person at the front door. It was obvious she did not check herself before walking over to the door. For not only was her given romper up and her hair unkempt, but she smelled of ale and ice cream. In fact she had ice cream on her face around her mouth, on her gown, and somehow got some longer hair.

[Britanania]

Venusta

To call the investigation into Ashwood's affairs a disaster would be an understatement. The plan in concept was sound, but everything else fell apart before Venusta's eyes, and while the situation played out she continued to play the role of a helpless an anxious socialite.

When the Inquisitor returned to her hotel, she wrote up her report to her superiors in Cadia before she readied herself to retire. The next morning Venusta awoke early to deliver her report to the hotel clerk, to pass it along, and she made her way back to Sibyl's apartment. For this excursion, Venusta wore a rather chic and trendy Cadian attire. She rang for the detective and waited for several minutes before the half-elf answered.

Venusta remained stone-faced as she saw Sibyl's dishevelled appearance, who looked still a little drunk. It was also evident the plump half-elf was comfort eating from the mess and smell of alcohol Not that Venusta blamed her from wanting to forget the ordeal, of course, but Sibyl looked like she spent of the night drinking.

"Si, it is but I was hoping we could, how you say, debrief." Venusta gestured to Sibyl's gown, which barely seemed to contain the chubby's half-elf's Rubenesque figure and covered in ice cream and alcohol stains. "You may want a new nightgown, Signora. That one appears a tad, um, troppo piccolo, how you say, too small, and soiled."

[Duestchstien]

Lucius McKenzie

The morning wind was still blowing, as Lucius enjoyed a nice brunch at a cafe. He whipped open his news paper, reading the many headlines on the front page. Looking down at the table again he noticed a shadow, he turned his head upward, and to his surprise, saw a man flying across the sky. Well, to call it flying would be almost comedic, more of a somewhat controlled fall. He glided over the rooftops and into the window of a cafe down the street. "Well that's something quite new." he said to himself before watching the nearby police officers rush to the cafe to determine what had happened. His gaze was interupted when a server came over
"Excuse me sir, are you finished." Looking at the half finished, jelly covered biscuit and then back at the waiter
"Does it uhhh *ahem* look like I'm done." he said, staring curiously at the server. After a brief pause the waiter responded.
"I, see then" and walked off. Flipping his newspaper back open Lucius turned to the second page. Before reading the headline, "McKenzie scores another victory". 'Ahh yes it must of have been so hard to kill those spear wielding natives with your gattling guns father'. He closed the newspaper leaving it on the table, looked back at the plate of his half finished biscuit, and then the waiter, who'd just came over. Gesturing he said "I'm uhh finished now."
After watching the angry waiter clear his plate he got up and left walking adjusting his suit as he turned the corner.

[The Palmetto]

Karolina Fried Chicken

Lieutenant Colonel Scott has having a day much like any other. He woke up on the second floor of the restaurant, which doubled as his residence, and got dressed in his uniform. It was an extravagant, white suit, just like those of the plantation owners who once dominated southern Kellibrir. The middle-aged man went downstairs to greet his employees, most of whom looked dead on the inside. Eh, who cares? Going outside to flip the “Open!” sign, he he took in a long breath of air as he watched the city around him. The air wasn’t as good as the hot, moist air he was used to back in Karolina, and reeked of development and industry. He was from a trashy, rural part of Kellibrir, and even after all this time still was never quite used to the city’s sights and smells. Letting out a small sigh as he remembered home, he closed the door and went over to the KFC bar.

He didn’t need to be a bartender, but it provided something for him to do. Without needing to venture far from his miniature copy of life in Karolina, he could strike up conversation with people from all walks of life. Heck, he’d met plenty of people from all across the world, something a country boy hardly ever does. Nothing was quite like meeting an Undian from the Alban colonies, a world entirely unlike his own. His upbringing in a quiet, conservative town fueled his desire to meet with those from abroad, even if he wasn’t such a fan of living the foreign life. Of course, he also met plenty of unique people just from Lumina, and with Steel barging in, that looked like just the case.

“Looks like you’re in one hell of a predicament, son. Whether your running from the law or running from your ex-wife, I don’t care, just don’t bring that funny business into my honky tonk, and actually order something. Now, what would ya like?” Scott asked the detective. While he was from a law-abiding town and respected authority, Scott was fine serving anyone who didn’t cause no trouble. He hoped that the man who had rushedly barged in would actually buy some food, though. Last people who did that just ordered a water each and talked about plans to drain the world of its life. Sad, really, back in his day if people wanted to drain the world of all life they’d go out and do it themselves instead of relying on all this modern hocus pocus.

[Luminesa]

Pre-Timeskip

So Sibyl was indeed an elf, or a half-elf. Magic, then, came naturally to her, and streamed through her blood. “...I have never actually met an elf before...There are not many elves in Anjin...but that is fascinating...and your shortness does not bother me. I am far taller than most Anjinese men, including my own father.” Ichiru smiled at her as she accepted his coat, and he nodded to her as she thanked him. “And don’t worry about my coat. I am glad to help you. You look like someone who has quite a lot on her mind,” he responded. Indeed, he had looked her right in the eyes as he spoke, and he could read her worry and anxieties like manuscripts. She had a rough night and wanted it to end.

As he spoke to her, her little daughter called for her, and Ichiru turned to see her yelling to her mother from a few yards away. She was tiny, and her calls for “mommy” were endearing. Morgaine did not seem to have the same refined grace of Elizabeth Ashwood, but rather was full of spontaneous energy and a little fear. She acted more like a usual child, even running across the room to meet her mother, who gave Ichiru a quick farewell before she rushed to see Morgaine. He watched the reunion with a thoughtful smile, as the little girl found comfort in her mother’s arms. A sweet image. How precious those moments are...How small and invaluable...I hope Elizabeth is also safe... he thought.

When Sibyl finished talking to her daughter, and prepared to leave, she told Ichiru that she would try to see him again to give him his coat. He shook his head, answering, “Please, no, keep it. I can find away to get another, if I need one. Besides, I find velvet almost a little uncomfortable. I should have bought a different fabric. Keep it, it may serve you better than it served me. Please return home safely, and have a good night.” He then waved to the mother and daughter, before turning to look for Everton.

The man was not too far away, and Ichiru had a plan to stay and to get to know him. He approached slowly, scratching his head and giving a timid expression as he spoke. “Excuse me, Mr. Estrange. You see, I do not have a permanent place in which I can stay, and I know that we are something of...strangers...but if doing such would not be much trouble, may I take a night and sleep at your home? Not in your bed of course. A couch would suffice. I just...may need a place in which to stay, away from here...” he explained. He hoped the man would understand that he wanted to get away from Ashwood. His eyes showed his weariness and his desire to leave, and he did not wish to move all those bodies now. After all, nobody had helped him, which would have made everyone’s work easier.

[True Refuge]

Everton Tallow
The Party

Everton watched Blackstone stand up and walk a few paces over to Ichiru, shrouded in the ill-fitting white coat. He wore a crinkled, relieved smile effortlessly as she chatted away, although the expression most definitely did not come naturally. Right now, he wanted to do something incredibly immature. Something his thirty-year old self would have done, like punching a wall. Maybe with the runes on his knuckles activated. That'd certainly vent some of the frustration, even if such senseless destruction was beneath him. This whole mess was probably idiotic enough to warrant it anyway.

Reporting the events of the night was going to be a dreadful experience for Blackstone. The same went for whoever caused the chaos and gunshots, especially if they were one of Blackstone's team sneaking around. That third doctor had vanished just before the shooting started; maybe she had something to do with it. Whatever really happened, Lapis would be livid when he heard what had become of the 'plan'. It wasn't even up to himself to tell the Ernst; the agent who'd noted Venusta's face was probably busy finding a secure phone line to relay the details already. After that, he'd get the call or another visit to explain what the bloody hell had happened tonight.

"Of course," he replied to Blackstone awkwardly as she dashed off in earnest, last chance to tell her what she needed to know gone. He kept on his placid expression to fool Ichiru, but the Anjinese came up to him yet again. It never stopped!

Everton ummed and ahhed for a moment in response to Ichiru's request, thankfully fitting 'Estrange''s nervous disposition. How bloody forward to ask that, of a stranger no less. He must have been suspicious to ask something, or desperate. He shifted slightly. There was that small weight in his trouser pocket, what was it?

The money for Blackstone's clothes! Lapis might have gone and saved him from this craziness by making that request. If he ever let that slip, Lapis' smug indifference would never end.

"My apologies, but my home is in no s-state to accept visitors right now," he said, purposely adding a single stutter and hesitance. Estrange had been quite affected by the trauma, of course. He reached into a trouser pocket and pulled out the roll of dinar notes, split it in two and held one half out towards Ichiru. "I had hoped to make a purchase for one of the other attendees' racehorses today, a famous one, but I suppose that's not happening. I believe this should be enough for at least a week at one of the fine short-term inns around here until you can figure out your situation. I'm sure some of the good people of this city would enjoy having your abilities on their payroll if you look around. Good evening, sir."

As he took a step away, he heard a high-pitch squealing. When he turned to find its source, he saw a young girl running up to Blackstone, calling out for her mother, and embracing the half-elf. The quiet reprimand he had ready died on his tongue. The daughter looked so happy for a moment, whole face tinged by that inexplicable childish delight despite all the craziness of recent times. She had a striking resemblance to her mother, but the elvish characteristics were much more evident. So naive, unlike Ashwood's unnerving 'Princess' Elizabeth. He looked around the party room for a moment, scanning over the upturned tables and the attendees till lying unconscious all over the place one more time. The fuzzy feeling withered. By Una, Blackstone had brought her own child on a mission. Into all this! Doing so was unbelievably irresponsible. With a gun going off close by too... the risks! Blackstone's recklessness nearly drew a snarl, but he held himself and immediately returned to the nervous coldness befitting Lucas Estrange.

He avoided the mistake of looking at Ichiru. That spirit had known Kiri as well as the rest of the Watchers, and they'd all seen the way her fathers had carried on about her. The way he'd softened would be all so familiar even if the lapse in composure was so short, too much so for Everton to stay put.

He quickly moved away, disappearing into the main room to farewell Venusta by muttering a few things about meeting her outside for a carriage and recovering at their home. Even when everything had fallen apart, the cover had to be maintained, especially with Ashwood and her maids close by coordinating the cleanup. Best to follow the Blackstones' suit and disappear, too, before Ichiru continued his probing. The Anjinese already seen too much to stop if he hung around. Everton moved at a brisk pace and entered the lift. The lift man was nowhere to be seen, so he pushed the button for the ground floor. As it was heading down with him alone, he shrugged his coat off almost violently. No alcohol waited for his sorrows. To keep spirits in his residence would be a sign of weakness, and of a caving to the past. There was only the few hours of quiet before the storm the Ernsts would kick up tomorrow. Her daughter would have to live through it... Why couldn't it just have gone smoothly?

---

Everton woke and snapped up to sit on his bed. His dress suit was hanging in the closet, locked away again. Second thing he'd done when he'd returned from the party was put it up, right after he'd thrown off Blackstone's mask and nearly snapped its strings. It was in the same spot he left it: on the floor only a few paces away from the door. Its removal had been fast.

In truth, making it back to the tenement was a relief. It seemed like he'd barely dodged being recognized by Ichiru at the party or being forced to keep going with that false identity he'd practically made on the spot. Sure, he'd used the general persona quite a few times before, but being shoved into it with no warning was never pleasant. He'd learn pretty soon how the rest of the case would go, and as mentally fatiguing as the night had been he soldiered on.

The night's sleep was short but sufficient. At least, it was long enough for the temptation to snarl to subside. After he'd changed into one of his standard business suits, mostly similar to the previous morning's, he stepped out into the living area of the apartment. A little slip of paper by the entrance caught his eye. Someone had slipped a small note, telegram-sized, under the door. Everton picked it up and read it.

I will be talking with Blackstone very soon. Last night was unacceptable. She is only being given another chance because of extraordinary circumstances. Make her aware of this, identify the cause of the party disaster, fix her team by any means necessary, and actively police all future missions. I will not tolerate any further failures or idiotic harebrained plans.
- L.L

The words were printed out in formal, efficient typeface. No time allowed for fanciness. No doubt some lackey sworn to secrecy by just the right rune-Vim combination was sent in in Lapis' place.

He went to collect his cane before leaving for Blackstone's office. No doubt her face would be rather pale by the end of the day.

[Greater Redosia]

Detective John Steel

Steel was looking down at the table, minding his own thoughts and trying to be casual. It was horrible, he didn't know what casual was for a day in his life since his face was always serious and showed signs of major aging and stress. Steel thought he would be safe and left alone inside the southern restaurant, but his hopes were destroyed when a rather old and strangely dressed man came up to him. First it was strange to see such a bright color made into clothing, the second was them having such an outrageous accent. Why did he have to choose this restaurant out of all of them in the city, surely there were better.

“Looks like you’re in one hell of a predicament, son. Whether your running from the law or running from your ex-wife, I don’t care, just don’t bring that funny business into my honky tonk, and actually order something. Now, what would ya like?”

Steel stared at the man, nodding then deciding to relax and sit back in the seat. He raised his hand with three fingers up, "First my name is John Steel. Detective John Steel! I was sent on an investigation where my attempts of investigating went awry and now I'm being chased by law enforcement officers and local security of the building I crashed into. It was an accident for I would never break the law on purpose." Steel dropped one of the three fingers, going onto what is most likely his second point, "Two, I dislike the way you speak and your wit. You may be old compared to me, but you will not call me son. I never had a wife nor will I ever have one, so make sure you know that for your southern self." Finally, Steel had one finger left raised. Staring intently into the Lieutenant Colonel's eyes, with fire burning deep within his very soul to let the strangely dressed man with the strange accent.

Slowly, he lowered the final finger. The intensity of the room slowly easing away, Steel opened his mouth, "I will have a large sized bucket with a side of mash potatoes along with a beer, make sure the beer is the good kind because if it is cheap then I will not enjoy your restaurant. Thank you for being the one to serve me, now hurry up so that I may continue my investigation. For John Steel never rests!"

[Prusselanden]

Lumina
Jules had left some of her contact information with Alex's dolls in case she still wanted to press charges and left the house with Jonah. Of course, since Jonah's mother was going to be the prime person in the contact, it wouldn't be long before she would find out about the incident last night. Jules looked on to see if any carriages were willing to accept passengers. If Iris's father didn't write to her soon, she and Jonah would probably have to go back to Blighttown. There were only 4 attackers this time, but next time there would be more.

"No one's stopping, huh? Must be rush hour." Jonah grumbled as he saw the countless carriages and cars whizzing by. "By this rate they're going to catch up to us."

"It's not terrible. We can walk. And I run fast at night." The doctor tried to force a smile. "Everything's fine. We're fine."

"Do you even know where we're going?"

"I snagged a map of the city from a tourist center we passed a minute ago. It'll tell us where to go." She started to look at the map while following the route back to Blighttown. Unfortunately, she wasn't exactly looking at who was in front of her either.

[The Palmetto]

Scott

“Take it easy there, Steel. You ain’t the kind to go round’ breakin’ the law, I can tell that much bout’ ya’,” Scott replied, with a small chuckle and a grin on his wrinkled face. He’d seen Steel around here before, but hadn’t really ever talked to the detective. Not much reason to, he and his female drinking buddy would often chat each other up while getting piss drunk. The man was a lot more eccentric than the southerner thought him to be, occasional drunkedness aside, not that it was a bad thing. To Scott, Steel seemed like the law-abiding type who didn’t mean no trouble. Back in his old rural, religious society, respect for authority meant a lot. He didn’t know too much but Steel’s origins or beliefs, but Scott wouldn’t have cared either way, for he had an ages old policy on life. Regardless of your skin color, your species, your gender, whatever, anyone can be a paying customer, and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.

“Pam! Large-sized bucket, mashed potatoes, and some beer for the gentlem- detective over here!” Scott called out, his body stiffening as he pointed to a young, African-Kellibrian woman in waitress attire. She had just finished giving a small family their food, and rushedly put her tray down to write down the order. She was slightly overweight, but looked clean, if not a little sweaty from all the hard work. She was overworked and underpaid by modern standards, though for Lumina, not half-bad. Scott chuckled as she rushed into the kitchen, and then loosened up to look back at Steel.

“That’ll be all, pardner?” He asked him, making sure not to call him “son”.

Aestus

Lumina sure was busy this part of day, or at least compared to what Aestus experienced. He’d lived a large chunk of his life in big cities, but nothing like Lumina. He’d lived his early life in Sektilyu, which was one of colonial Undi’s most populated cities, but like most of the Alban colony, extremely poor. There were hardly any cars there, and a large chunk of them were owned by Alban expats. Until now, he’d been living his adult life in (Cape Town), which was relatively smaller but still a well-developed, modern Alban city. Nowadays he was living in one of the world’s largest cities, and while he rarely got lost in its size, occasionally he’d slip up.

“My apologies, ma’am,” Aestus said, accidentally bumping into a pale skinned woman. Looking up at her, he remembered her. He didn’t know her too well, their biggest interaction being the biologist paying for her dinner once, but they were still on good terms.

“You’re Jules, right? And that would be Jonah. You two alright? I can provide some transportation if you need it,” He offered the two. He always was willing to help other folks when they were in need, and he supposed it wouldn't hurt to carpool.

[Khasinkonia]

Mrasestu Lhikriidaan
The Domus Inquisitionis, Cadia

It was frankly difficult to believe that I was at the grandiose centre of the Inquisition. The hallowed halls echoed memories of a bygone era, when the church held absolute power over the common man, and clergy spoke the only truth anyone cared to hear. The golden days of this place had surely waned, and were continuing to do so, but going from absolute power to immense strength is only a precipitous drop in power and magnificence in a relative sense.

I opted not to make use of my Vim-powered backpack within the building, even as flying was a bit taboo, and walking on my own small legs wasn't fun, given the fact that the building was truly massive. I fluttered my wings here and there to take the weight off, as it was much more comfortable, and much quicker. When I reached the office of the Generalis Inquisitor, however, I composed myself better. Other than my backpack, I was fairly well dressed. I had on my best white tea dress, although it was notably just a bit short, falling above the ankles. My shoes were pearly leather mary janes, while my flaming red hair was mostly covered with a grey silk peach basket hat that I'd received a few years prior during the holidays. The matron reckoned it once belonged to some large doll that another child had tired of, though I'd always wondered why the rest of the outfit hadn't made its way to me.

I uncharacteristically timidly entered into the grand office of the Generalis Inquisitor.

"Good day, Your Eminence," I greeted, curtsying slightly, then removing my hat with two hands and holding it as delicately as I could in front of me.

I gave the elf an awkward but well-meaning smile, as if to say: "I apologise for my attire, but may we avoid bringing it up?"

[Prusselanden]

Jules and Jonah
Jules yelped as she bumped into Aestus, sending her map falling to the ground with her glasses. "Jeeze, be more careful." Jonah picked them up and gave them to the confused doctor.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I..." Jules looked up at Aestus. "...wait, I...I know you, you paid for our dinner once. Yes, your name is...no, wait...it's Aestus! Yes! I haven't gotten the chance to pay you back for your favor."

"I know we haven't gotten to pay you back yet, sir, but we'd really appreciate if you either provided some transportation to Blighttown or a-" Jonah paused. Was involving this nice gentleman in this whole mess a good idea? But he didn't want himself and Jules to end up homeless again either...anything could happen between now and when Daniel would hire her.

"If you could just give us a ride there, it would be good enough. If you don't want to, then it's ok." Jules interrupted Jonah's silence. "That would be all. Unless you wanna buy dinner for us again?" She gave Aestus a small, playful wink.