Edge Town-City of Light

edited 14th Apr '17 2:35:08 PM by DrTentacles

Leon sidles up to Tim's side as the conversation progresses. Though he didn't really have any requests to add by this point, that seemed mostly done. He could add commentary that hopefully wasn't actively unhelpful.

"Huh. Magic paintbrush. My theories about what was up with the paintings were hilariously off base."

Tim gave his young colleague a sideways glance before addressing Samira.

"I'd strongly suggest, by the way, for you both to take a vacation. Somewhere at the ocean with as much sun as possible. At best with you two watching the sun going up every morning."

The running water of the ocean and the sunlight and dawn combined ought to turn every remnant of the magic slowly into cinders on her, I assume. Provided there's no deeper damage. He amended with a internal sigh.

edited 14th Apr '17 2:38:44 PM by 3of4

"Something around your size...so then I'd be something small, probably." David nodded, a tiny smile pulling at the corners of his lips. "I never met anyone with magic that isn't mom. Can you still talk as a wolf? Do you have sharp teeth?"

Annette accepted the piece of paper with caution. If this Samson person was after talents then David should be safe—he didn't show any signs of magic at all. A real blessing. Herself, on the other hand, was another problem. Why would somebody be hunting down small talents? Alchemy was such a niche and complicated process. If you kidnapped one and forced them to make potions it would take so long to get ingredients, test a recipe, and the risk of them poisoning you was just far too high. Very little reward for the risk.

But some people were just that crazy.

She tucked the paper into her little purse, frowning, her lower lip reddened from chewing. "...thank you. I...I'll k-keep in touch. Til then, I should...f-find a safe place...or something...would it be dangerous t-to return to my hotel room? Or out at all?"

Ah, paranoia. It was so much better when it was just caused by vampires, now it's legit!

"When I shift I'm exactly like a wolf, just with a human brain," Terry replied. "So sharp fangs, no fingers or thumbs, can't say much but 'woof' and 'grr.' And I can't wear clothes, which can be awkward in polite company. But oh man is it worth it anyway." Terry grinned wider, bouncing a bit on his heels as he warmed to the subject. "You ever seen a dog racing around too fast to catch, tongue lolling out like he's the happiest thing in the world? When I don't have to worry about things like animal control or evil wizards, it is exactly that fun going wolf and cutting loose. Just, the smells alone. Humans, we've got no idea how much we're missing out with the weak excuse for a nose. I don't even have words to talk about the stuff I've smelled, because the people who made the language never dreamed of anything like it. Wizards and vampires and so on think they're hot stuff with their fireballs and emotion-blasts, but for sheer cool factor my powers have them all beat. Just don't let 'em know, it'd break their hearts." Hah, he'd gotten through that whole excited speech without swearing once. High-five, Mr. Talbot. Thank you, Mr. Talbot.

The other bits of conversation he was catching were more sobering. Neither some guy secretly headhunting small talents nor a bunch of kids with a little bit of knowledge and a little bit of mojo were likely to go anywhere good. Dammit, he was just here to get this Poisoners thing taken care of, not get wrapped up in a dozen sidequests.

edited 15th Apr '17 1:21:07 PM by rikalous

"Hard enough getting her to take walks when she's like this. And it's not like we're drowning in money—especially after this."

Samira sighs, looking over at Leon, something between resignation and curiosity in her eyes.

"You are a curious group, aren't you? Are you actually from a university?"

"We are from a scholarly institution, yes." Tim replied, giving sacrifice to the deity of exact wording. "And while I understand that money can be an issue...health is more important, I'd argue."

Jarl

Jarl studied the photo as closely as he dared, looking in particular at the man who seemed to stand out so. There was something odd about seeing his ancestor this way, flesh and blood, not much older than Jarl was now. Something about the image made him smile.

What a family. Warriors, soldiers and saboteurs as far as the eye can see.

"That could definitely be him, there. And it meshes with how my grandfather would always describe him. After he returned, he was always so soft-spoken. Quiet. Just wanted to live the rest of his days doing good by others."

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A Vampire, His Dog, and an Alchemist

"Yes." Jackie nodded emphatically. "If you can find some other place to sleep besides your hotel room, that would probably be best. Since his last approach failed, I can't speak to what Samson might try next. Go back, get anything you need, then find another place to sleep."

Roberto twirled his moustache again. "I try to make a good Catholic out of anyone, but obviously I can't win them all. Alas, virtue doesn't come as easily to everyone as it does to me." He clutched his heart as if he was wounded. "Illicit meetings in the candlelit catacombs it is! I can arrange for an invitation to their little society. It will make everyone less suspicious of you."

Well, great.

"...thank you f-for this," Annette spoke as earnestly as she could, despite the weight of panic and, now, dread growing in her chest. She had a few options. She could go to her hotel room with David, check out, and hope she wasn't snatched by this talent-snatching Samson before she boarded the next train to Germany. Maybe she could call police ahead of time? Tell them she was being stalked and that she wanted to get out of the country as soon as possible? But with no evidence besides one woman's story it might not work. Hell, could she still even trust Jackie? What if this was just another part of some convoluted trap?

If it was only her in danger, she would have risked it. Risked that Jackie's story was a lie and tried to get out of France a nice, normal way. It wasn't like she'd planned on staying very long as it was.

But it wasn't just her in danger. Even if David didn't have any magical talent...

There is another option. I'm in it right now.

She swallowed and looked past Jackie's shoulder to Alexander, and felt a small shudder go up her spine. Oh, this was a bad idea. A very bad idea.

Ha ha oh wow. Anne was not having a good day, was she. Terry was self-aware enough to recognize that he and the Thornes, being a group of horror monsters with only a nodding acquaintance with legality, were not exactly the most reassuring people to take shelter with. And Anne looked like she was seriously considering it, so all her other options must seem worse. Did someone low-key entropy-curse her this morning?

Well, Terry at least knew that this particular band of criminal things-what-go-bump genuinely were a safe option, so if she was quite reasonably hesitant maybe he could give her a little nudge.

Happening to ever-so-coincidentally glance over at Anne and Jackie, he gave it a moment before moseying over. "Hey, is something up? You were kinda staring."

Wizards Three

Celes's expression changed as she studied Jarl, curiosity fading behind a sudden, intent focus as though she were committing him holding the photograph to memory. She reached out from under the blanket, picking up a sketchpad from under the piles of cups on the end table.

Then, pad in hand, she froze, a slight tremble passing through her hand, face going blank, and put it back down.

Samira frowned at Tim, disappointment at his answer. She didn't protest further, however. Instead, she turned, moving past Leon to rejoin Celes and Jarl at the couch.

"Everything alright, you two?"

Celes's eyes flashed—a spark of anger, but instead, she slid back down on the couch.

"Fine."

Samira's back was to Tim and Leon, but Jarl could see the sudden hurt in her eyes. She hid it well, though, moving over to look at the photo of Jarl's grandfather.

"I don't remember that one. Your friends have asked me to look up a few things—do you have a way to contact you? Or is there anything else?"

_____________________________________________________________________________

Alexander

Alexander laughed at Roberto's response, genuinely amused, and raised his own hand to clasp Roberto's, entwined over the man's heart. His voice was full of the same light humor as the arms dealer's, but there was an undercurrent of raw, naked flirtation as well.

"Don't give up on me yet. Maybe you can teach me virtue when next we meet. At very least, you should keep trying."

He dropped his hand, turning back to look at Annette, Terrence, Liliane, and Jackie. His sister was curled up on a couch, phone in hand, and for a moment he thought she'd been ignoring the situation brewing. Then she smirked, glancing up and tossing him a wink.

Well done, fratella. I didn't think you were capable of quietly eavesdropping.

Annette looked upset—moreso than before. It was probably time to end this. Raising his voice, he moves back into the room, staying clear enough of Annette and Terry to give them the illusion of privacy.

"It was a pleasure, Roberto. Until we next meet. Ciao."

edited 20th Apr '17 10:28:43 AM by DrTentacles

David stayed up against the wall that Terry had now moseyed away from, his attention nowhere in particular and his expression calmly blank rather than out of fear or panic. The same could not be said about his mother. Annette gave a sudden jump when Terry approached and spoke up like she'd entirely forgotten about other people being in the room. Which was dumb, because one of those people was her son, but she had a lot on her mind right now. It was justified. Swallowing a small yelp she darted her eyes up at Terry, then at the approaching Alexander and Roberto, and then remembered she was still sitting on the floor and began picking herself and her things up.

How do you ask complete and total strangers if you can stay with them because they're stronger and more heavily armed than you without sounding crazy?

How do you ask a sex vampire to let you stay under his roof without it going horribly, horribly wrong?

"...I'm f-...fine," she mumbled—Great start Annie, absolutely spectacular opener.—and moved her small self out of the way to stand next to David, placing her hand on his shoulder and giving him a small squeeze. He looked up at her with his still contented not-a-smile. It made her all the more confused. He was far too comfortable in this house full of vampires, werewolf, and guns than he was in goddamn Disneyland. What was it about these people that he wasn't afraid of? Still, that he wasn't panicking did help to set her own mind on the better side of the edge, if only slightly.

How do I not fuck this up?

"A'ight. Sing out if there's anything you do need, yeah? I'd hate to have gotten you out of the Posh Restaurant of Doom just to see you stuck in some horrible crisis anyway," said Terrance Talbot, master of subtlety.

Jarl saw the flash of hurt in Celes' eyes and decided it wasn't time to pry anymore. He'd asked for enough of this woman's time.

"Thank you for your time." He handed the book back to Celes, a genuine smile on his face. "You've been a great help. If there's anything else..." he fumbled around in his pocket for a pen and paper (you'd be surprised how often that became necessary) and scribbled an address on it. "You can come find us here, or send a message to the door. We don't have a permanent residence in Paris, but we're staying there for the duration of our trip." He put it on the table next to the book for Celes to pick up, then stood up and turned to Samira.

"And thank you for your time as well. I don't think there's anything else, no." He glanced at Tim and Leon for clarification.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Oh, I do believe I will." Roberto winked at Alex as he snapped his fingers, Jackie immediately snapping to attention and following him out the door. "Ciao! I hope my merchandise serves you well until we meet again. I will send you a message when I have made contact."

Alexander

Alexander waved at Roberto as the gun dealer departed, then, with forced casualness, slouched down on the couch across from Lilaine. He felt his phone vibrate, and popped it out, checking out the text from his sister summing up what she'd managed to overhear.

Interesting. Sounds like there's a lot Roberto wasn't telling me.

His voice stayed light as he glanced at Annette, his next question seemingly idle.

"Did you know her?"

edited 24th Apr '17 6:40:52 PM by DrTentacles

"Y-Yeah...horrible crisis...hah..." Annette grumbled softly, her eyes fixed intently on the floor and not daring to look at either Terry or Alexander. Even with Roberto and Jackie gone—which despite the latter's helpfulness, she really didn't do any wonders for her anxiety—she still wasn't sure how to start this. What reasons did this family have to help her? Maybe she could try to offer something in exchange for protection? That sounded like a good way to wind up making drugs in the basement of a casino. Or worse.

But not telling the truth could really only make this worse. If she was in danger, and asked to stay with them, that would be putting them in danger. But did she really...care about that?

It's for David's sake. Not mine, or even theirs. Still, lying is a bad idea.

Start with the easy question.

"Um...y-yes. Sort of. She had some important stuff t-to...tell me." She swallowed and tried to give Alexander more than a little glance, but her nerves told her the floor was a much better focus. That and the fact that seated next to Alexander was that unfairly pretty sister-succubus of his, and it was simply not fair for her already swirling head to have to deal with that. "...I...I'm, um, n-n..."

Breathe, Annie.

"I'm...n-not...in the safest place right now. Not literally. M-Maybe. In general. I n-need...help." Her voice was very quiet, unintentionally this time around, and she bit the inside of her lip lightly before she continued. "...but I...d-don't really have anywhere to...t-turn right now."

Excellent

...Alright, that was somewhat sinister of him. Glee at profiting from an (as far as he could tell) entirely innocent woman's misfortune. Poor Ms Wagner just wanted to have a good time in Paris with her son, and he was considering how to turn her academical talent to personal gain.

On the other hand, she did seem to actually need help. And, in all likelyhood, he'd be done with when he left Paris. So he was actually being quite fair and generous.

Alexander grinned, his eyes turning fox-like, and tried to sound reassuring.

"You're in danger? More than angering a White Court gourmand? That's unfortunate. Tell me more. It would be uncharitable of me abandon you in harm's way."

edited 24th Apr '17 8:53:13 PM by DrTentacles

You're really choked up about this, aren't you.

Annette hoped that her lip wasn't obviously red from chewing and that Alexander thought that the little shakes in her hands were left over from the fear-eater. This had been a day. Just all kinds of a day. She drew in a little trembling breath before she answered.

"There's...s-somebody in Paris looking for small t-talents, like me. Jackie gave me the, um, h-heads up about it. Apparently it's...it's n-not even safe for me to go back to my hotel room..." her hands fidgeted together at her chest. David, for all that his mother was panicking, looked away from her to watch Terry and Alexander with his wide, eerily expressionless eyes. Annette swallowed softly. "But that's where m-my alchemy stuff is...wh-what little I brought with me...and...I d-don't really know what to do..."

"We can protect you," Terry said, looking unusually serious. "Whatever this guy can bring to bear, we have seen to worse and walked away from it. I have stood against gods, monsters, and armies, and I am standing yet. And I promise you, with the weight of all I have seen and all I have done, you and your son will not be harmed on my watch."

Alexander gave Terry a sidelong glance, not certain if she should be impressed at the level of dedication, annoyed at the no-strings-attached offer, or simply amused at how outlandish it sounds. He pursed his lips, voice dry.

"Quite."

He clasped his hands behind his head. How long had he been awake? Close to a full day, it felt like. Transatlantic flights. Urgh. Still, no time like the present.

"That all sounds very serious, Ms Wagner. I'd be happy to book a room next to mine—we'll work out the precise details when you're out of danger. We can also go to your room together to get your supplies."

It wasn't quite relief or hope that shown in Annette's eyes, but there was maybe enough of it to hide the feeling of disgust. Terrance was so genuinely invested in her and David's safety—and that was an impressive list of things he'd apparently fought and gotten away from, enough that she was stunned silent for a bit processing it—and of what she could tell of Alexander he at least was willing. For what reason she wasn't sure, but she couldn't tell herself it was sincere interest in her well-being.

He said he's not that kind of vampire, but he's still a vampire...he must be up to something.

Wow, Annie, good on you for demonstrating such open-mindedness.

It doesn't matter though. What matters is if they can keep David safe.

"...th-thank you. I...I r-really can't thank you enough," Annette smiled just slightly, and it was genuine, though still clearly anxious. "We...we d-don't need to go right away, of course...if y-you're tired, David and I c-can just, um...sleep in our clothes and we c-can go when you're up for it." Though going right now would be convenient, it might also be a great opportunity for a trap, if Jackie wasn't being as honest as she'd seemed to be.

Then again, maybe these two were into that sort of risk.

"Tired? Hardly. Consider me invigorated."

He flashed Terry a grin.

"What do you say—up for a little night walk?"

"As always, old boy," Terry said, grinning back. "If these Parisians are smart, it's going to be nice and quiet."

edited 25th Apr '17 7:53:01 PM by rikalous

Tim drew a small business card out of his bag and held it out for Samira. "This is my answering service. If you decide to have followup questions to those...vacation plans we discussed." He explained gently. He hoped the two would actually do it. You both seem as if you need it He admitted to himself, both physically and spiritually. And I can tell from experience how...nice it is to get away from it all together once in a while.

And as soon as the three were out of the door, and presumably out of earshot, Tim sobered up and explained to Jarl and Leon what he had found upstairs and discussed with Samira.

"My suggestion for our next step." he concluded after a moment of consideration. "Would be to follow up the theft by the proper fence you'd bring this sort of artifact to in Paris. It'd be...vexing to assume this was some sort of conspiracy related to our quest when it is simply common magic burglary."

Leon shrugged at Jarl's glance not really having anything else to add. He waved goodbye to the artist and her girlfriend as they left. The little exposition dump was interesting, even if he had gotten some idea about it from the magic paintbrush conversation. Though the magic withdrawal stuff was rather more interesting.

"Sure, it could be just magic robbery and not something to do with the reason why we're here, but I doubt we're that lucky. But uh, how are we gonna find a magic fence? Unless you already know where one is? I could call HQ but I don't know if they'd have that on record. That cop might know, but you guys kind of pissed him off."

edited 28th Apr '17 3:54:38 AM by Kosjurake