2019.09.28 The Devil Comes a'Calling
| The Devil Comes a'Calling | |
|---|---|
| The Devil's Own pays a call on the Society of the Weeping Moon | |
| IC Date | 1881 |
| IC Time | Evening (Half Moon) |
| Players | Pancake, Branton, Jes, Isla |
| Location | Prospect, CA 1881 |
| Prp/Tp | Ravenscar |
| Spheres | Garou, Gaian, |
Previously: The Devil's Own investigated a brothel where Iris and Isla posed as ladies of the night, causing a distraction while Branton snuck upstairs and did some snooping around. Jes identified a curious character acting suspicious. As the ladies were taking their gentlemen callers upstairs, a gunshot was heard in the streets and Jes ran off into the night to follow his suspect and to see investigate the happenings outside.
Cue intro music...
As Jes gets out into the street, a crowd has formed across the street from a nearby Saloon. Bystanders are pointing and watching the aftermath of a barfight and Jes can see Zyler, trying to put away a double barreled shotgun into his trenchcoat. Aaryn, Micah and other members of Frostbite are pouring out of the Saloon and trying to slip away. In the midst of this, Jes can see the well dressed gentleman slip into the crowd and make his way up the street past the chaos. He tries to disappear without being seen but Jes ain't fooled.
Well, the Frostbite Gang seems to be up to something, but it's currently none of Jester's nevermind as he skirts the crowd and doesn't make a disturbance himself, keeping on the heels of the well-dressed gentleman. He's not that easy to lose. Apparently.
Meanwhile in the brothel room that got used for dark magic....Branton continues to use his assorted magical items and techniques to dig up information on what the baddies had been up to.
The gentleman bobs and weaves through the crowd and Jes sees him dart inside of another building along the Gas Lamp districts entertainment strip. Music drifts out into the street as he pushes in and other push out. The sound of a woman's voice singing a soulful folk song finds Jes' ear.
Iris is possibly putting a guy to sleep, or may have already put a guy to sleep, but either way is definitely not having to deal with the headache of trying to run up stream on the non-sidewalk. Which sucks. How everyone, EVERYONE, always manages to be going the way you're not when you need to get somewhere is just spooky.
While Iris is putting the Pancake special on her john, dick, or harry back at the brothel and Isla is getting acid spewed at her, Jes sees the gentleman move over to a group of ne'er-do-wells in the back corner of this saloon. The crowd here is a little bit lower class, a little bit rougher. It's a more diverse crowd, for sure, with people of various ethnicities all packed together. The gentleman doesn't seem to FIT here, so he is easy to spot and keep track of. Also, because Jes would notice these things, a lot of the people here are armed and dangerous looking. Even the singer on stage looks like she might be packing some kind of weapon.
Seeing as he's dressed like a gunslinger, Jes imagines he fits in somewhat and sidles up to the bar, ordering a drink and finding an inconspicuous corner to lurk in.
Jes does fit right in and he has money to spend. The liquor here is more course, but from the smell they also seem to serve some food. Stick to your ribs kind of food that makes your stomach rumble. It isn't enough to distract you from your prey, though. Jes' keen hearing and eyes is able to pick up snippets from the conversation. The gentleman is talking about "gaians in the brothel" and "looking for Skarne and his whelps". Apparently someone "needs to stop them from reaching the train" and make sure "the package gets to San Francisco".
After their conversation is over, the Gentleman starts to back away from the table and a large, bull of a man stands up and gathers a few others at the table with him. The man has a large thick beard, crazy eyes and a long scar that runs from the corner of his eye down his cheek to his chin. "We'll handle it," he tells the Gentleman, and then walks the man out of the bar and into the night with his posse.
Back at the brothel, Branton is about to uncover a corpse and Isla is about to make one.
Jes lights up a cigarillo and considers what he's learned, and settles on "enough to snag his pack"; he makes his way out of the establishment and kicks it back to the brothel because otherwise he's going to end up doing the scene where he heads to the train alone and dies.
Branton gets a few more clues, spends a moment clearing sign he was there and makes his way downstairs and out into the street.
Iris peeks her head out of her room and when the coast is clear, trots out into the hall, assuming whatever those noises are in Isla's room are just her handling things, and... Shit, is there back steps? Maybe, maybe not, but there's probably definitely a window at the back or something! She carries her shoes in hand so as not to be clopping around loudly and gets herself to street level. Thank goodness for the pack link, it makes knowing where to go a whole lot easier! So she heads out around the side of the brothel, not quite out onto the street, and gives Branton an ~Over here!~ through the power of mental thinking.
Isla has had enough of this guy that the more she watches, the more she realizes he's turning from nasty creep into Wyrm tainted Fomori. Having already ditched Iris' clothes, she shifted to Crinos and ripped the guys head off, and pulled his guts out leaving a rather gruesome scene, but certainly making sure he is good and dead. Shifting back to homid, Isla cleans off the best she can, and finds a bed sheet that is less tainted than anything else around there, and ties it up around her, making it look like a toga more than anything, but at least she isn't in her panties only. She makes her way out the door, locking it behind her, and sneaks on out of there and regroups.
The members of Devil's Own regroup with Frostbite (and friends) met to discuss their findings. Part of this discussion included the local Sheriff, Dmitri 'Peacemaker' Kristoff, the Adren philodox alpha of a pack that claims Prospect as part of their territory.
Jes is nearly back to the brothel when he twigs to the shuffle going on with his pack. He goes around to the back of the building and smokes his cigarillo, lounging casually like a villain in a spaghetti Western.
Branton had the face of the enemy agent that had tried to have the evidence at the brothel disposed of, just needing some paper and drawing things to be accquired. Also secured was a hankerchief with bodily fluids belonging to one of the evil ritualists "I can't use my magic to track him with this but I imagine one of you all probably can. Also the person they killed to fuel that summoning was one of the local garou, a black fury by the tatoo. I can sketch her as well for when we talk to the sherrif if you all want to go that way."
"Eeeew." Iris does not want to touch the evidence! THIS is why gloves are used in investigations, it has nothing to do with getting your prints on stuff, it's because evidence is usually super gross. Just so gross. "Okay so, we hit the train then, right?" she asks the gang after the movie montage of an info share. "Branton, you gotta tighten this corset, I'm swimming in this dress and I feel like it's gonna fall off if I try and run more than five feet." Not that there's much dress to lose, but still. Meanwhile, she will helpfully try and get Isla togaed up in such a way that she doesn't look like she's wrapped up in a bed sheet! Fashion, it's what's for dinner.
Isla grrs at that news. "A Garou. A Black Fury? I'm not one of them like Goop Mistress, but that angers me so." She tells them, "The fat ass I just had creep on me after buying my time was turning fomor. Had to leave a mess of him. Something's rotten in the state of Prospect and that there Brothel. We need to talk to the local Garou so they can inform her tribe."
Paper is easy enough to secure. But a verbal description is enough for the Sheriff to tell you that he doesn't know a local Black Fury. "But that doesn't mean anything. The Black Fury's are known to run up and down the coast, smuggling goods and sometimes people in and out of dangerous territory. Could be they picked her up somewhere." He does say that his pack will make sure they take care of the brothel and make sure her body is properly seen to and honored and her pack and people found.
Jes tips his hat to that, moving from his place at the wall. "All right, then; sounds like we're engaged. Is this gonna be a Back to the Future III train heist? Because I want a hoverboard if that's what we're up to."
"Yeah I'm gonna just be pissed off about that later, when I have someone to stab about it." Iris says about the pool murdered Fury, shaking her head rapidly, "I will honestly lose my shit and burn Prospect to the ground if I think about it right now. Do we even have time to go find the locals for a confab? I mean if we do then we should, backup would probably be great, but if we don't and our missing people are gonna be gone soon..."
Peacemaker agrees to assist Devil's Own pursue the sorcerers in his territory if they want and/or offers them and Frostbite whatever horses or deputies (re: kinfolk) they may need to in order to catch the train. According to the train's schedule it has a 5-6 hour head start on you, but you should be able to catch it before it reaches San Francisco if you make a long run in your lupus forms.
Path decided, the Sheriff leaves you to pursue sorcerers while he gathers his pack. Iris spends the next 10 minutes casting the Rite of the Questing Stone and almost immediately, the little stone begins to tug her in the direction of the hanky owner. Devil's Own begins to make their way through prospect, triangulating upon a position outside of the Gas Lamp district. They take the next 30 to 45 minutes to circle around their quarry, using the guidance of the stone, until they are sure they have located the proper place.
Isla was able to snag a pair of pants and a plain shirt, then tie it up and make some customizations (aka - cuts and knots) so she is not just toga Ahroun for the remainder of this adventure. They have the information to follow, and she is ready for whatever is brought out now. "When we get there, we use whatever sensing abilities we have. Fire Man, we wait for your go, since these could be magic users and all."
Branton is actually having a real good time, other than the smell. He's hunting criminals in the old west, now if they only had indoor plumbing and proper sewer systems. Nodding at Isla "They aren't your garden variety wyrm cultists, they think they're in charge. That things like those banes attacking Ravenscar happens just because they made the wyrmspawn do that."
Iris concentrates on the stone and leaves watching around them to everyone else while they make sure they've got a proper fix. Once they do, she tucks her crystal away wherever she's got her ritual pouch located. Probably some fiddly dedication work, I mean her pouch hardly goes with this dress. She nods at Isla's directions and looks to Branton.
One of the Gaslamp Quarter's most striking architectural masterpieces occupies the northeast corner of Sixth Avenue and Market Street. Built in an Italian renaissance style popular to commercial buildings in the late 1800s, the building features some fantastic architectural detailing such as Doric columns, arched windows topped with classical style pediments, and a central balcony with ornamental iron railings.
The windows of the building have been papered over, as if it is currently unoccupied. There are also signs of construction going on. Apparently the building has not totally been completed, but the main structural work is done. Most likely all that it is waiting for is interior work and perhaps some more stylistic touches to the outside. There is no signage on the windows or outside identifying the eventual occupants, though there is a notice of the bank responsible for funding the project.
Jes looks at the house for a minute before stating, "Right. Your lead, Peach." He looks aside to Isla, shrugging and giving her a go-ahead gesture.
The Devil's Own spreads out so as not to be a larger target and crosses the street from Sixth Avenue and Market St, each checking their own area for available entrances, communicating quietly through their pack link. They keep to the shadows easily enough and each find different possible points of entry. Isla sees several high windows on one side of the building that they may be able to boost into the second story. Branton, finds a rear entrance which looks like it has been used for workers to come and go while working on construction. And of course, there is the balcony on the second floor.
Iris, peering into her own reflection in the windows, and with String whispering in her ear, would be able to get a bead on the Umbra here. The building being still under construction, she's pretty sure they could easily slip into the umbra here and pass through these walls and windows with no issue. That being said, she and string are getting a weird gitchy feeling about this place the closer they get to it. Weird vibes.
Meanwhile, lets just say Jes is watching all of your backs to make sure you aren't being spotted or followed and watching for trouble on the street to give warning if someone wanders by.
~Whoa, bad vibes.~ Iris thinks out to the pack. ~Can’t promise there's not banes or other gross shit spirit-side, but I do think we could squeeze in easily enough! So I mean, that's something. Might be just as easy and safe to hit a window or that back door. Up to you, boss! I think we got ourselves some good options though.~
Isla considers the options. "Considering veil, let's go for the back door. See if we can just pop it, or we kick it in. We may need the windows later. Like the good old westerns when people are thrown out of them and all."
Branton eyes the locks and nods as he wrinkles his nose in disgust ~This is the place for sure though. There's a second story balcony back here but the door should be easy enough to open.~
Jes just strolls on up to the door free as you please, aiming finger-guns at the lock and muttering "Bang bang" before the audible click demonstrates that it is no longer secured. Gifts the gods give, right? He frowns afterward, however, and steps back out of the way, looking down at his hands for a second. "That's odd...," he murmurs, but doesn't expound on the subject.
"What, what happened?" Iris asks, moving over by Jes and moving as if trying to look at his hands. She's aware there was some Gift action happening, finger shooting the doors aint normal! Her Theurge brain is worried about that combination of gift plus odd result, but she's not trying to be super intrusive about it, just wondering during that half a minute that Isla's making her move.
"Oh... usually when I do that trick, it just /works/," Jes replies to Iris, shrugging his shoulders and adjusting his hat. "Simple trick, right? But when I did it this time, it just... y'know, leeched some of the spirit from me. It was weird. I'm not used to that."
As Isla moves into the dark room and her eyes adjust she sees what looks like an 1881 larder and kitchen. There are supplies stacked to one side. The kitchen is very modern for the age, with all the most modern conveniences. It's even been wired for gas lighting. Who knows whether it has been hooked up yet? You could always try and turn on the lights.
As the door opens and Isla starts to move in, Branton sees shadows retreat further into the darkness. The hair on his arms stand on end as he feels watched. There are spirits about in this building, and not the kind garou normally deal with. The dead kind.
Isla takes a look at Jes, but she is determined that they figure this out. She steps on inside and it is a kitchen. ~A Kitchen. Looks good for this time? I want to find a light switch but would they have that hooked up? Wait - is that right for this time?~ She is full of questions about it.
Branton frowns as he peers in the back door after the others ~There's something in the dark umbra here. They're trying to stay out of sight, I think they know I can see them.~
"That is weird..." Iris agrees, but she ain't got no time to puzzle that out, and follows Isla inside. "No idea!" she says quietly as she goes, she knows fuckall about *modern* systems, let alone things from the ancient, long lost past of just over a hundred years ago. OR ghosts, for that matter! But she takes the warning seriously and keeps an eye out.
Isla steps further farther inside. ~Just warn me if I'm about to run into a slimer or something.~ She notes the two doors. ~Looks like we have a choice. Red pill or blue pill ye think Goop Mistress?~
Jes eventually slinks indoors as well, looking around and taking his time as he makes his way to the ladies. He's looking for anything unusual, but how the hell do you even tell when you're not even in the right millennium?
Iris keeps an eye out also! But not for slimers. Mostly like... Banes and stuff. "I have no idea. Lemme send string up the back way, that'll help." She will of course wait for an okay on that though, but if Isla gives the nod, she'll send The Invisible String! off to go look one direction for them so they can go look the other way.
Branton is following along cautiously, finding the whole place a little unsettling and the tension of waiting for the other shoe to drop.
String gets into the Wyld West motif as well and sorta tumbleweeds across the floor before slipping beneath the door and disappearing from sight.
Isla will continue through the kitchen and take the red pi...er.. door to the main area, not where string went. She opens the door slowly, trying to listen first, and slowly open the door.
Iris waits to follow Isla's lead, if she wants to check the rest of the house, but relays what String's telling her or what she's seeing when she does a quick sensory swap with the spirit, via pack link. ~Mostly bad house keeping the other way so far. I think there's some light and music up there, might be an owl, though that might be on the roof or something... Unless Harry Potter had its shit right and witches really do keep owls as familiars...~
Isla hears something, and opens the door the rest of the way, and steps forward, taking a look around. ~I hear music. Something further within.~
As Isla enters the next room, her acute vision picks up lamp light coming in from further in the house. She has stepped into some kind of grand ballroom maybe or a meeting room. It reminds one of a modern day conference area maybe used for large meetings. The floor is tiled and the light reflects off of some kind of mosaic on the floor that faintly resembles a star. There is a matching stained glass domed window above that moonlight streams down into. The same kind of star pattern is etched in the stained glass.
Isla sends to the others, ~I see someone. A maid maybe? And stars. There are star patterns in here. Fire Man, let me know if it is something to be concerned with. Perhpas it means something to them? Symbol for the group?~
Iris tip toes barefoot behind Isla, moving out of the way a bit to make sure Branton can see stuff.
Branton looks like he might be praying as he follows along quietly behind Iris, staying close ~Clever. Becarful spending power, they have a siphon set up to drink whatever they can get.~
As Devil's Own moves through the ballroom, they see that surrounding the star motive, the iconography is surrounded by a series of lunar images, showing the moon in its different phases, circling around the star. They come to the door that the maid stepped through and it is decorated with a image of luna as Selene, the huntress, holding the pelt of a dead wolf.
<font color=redIsla sees the door, and decoration. Her fists ball up - but she's cool. ~This door shall be destroyed soon. If these people decorate with images of skinned wolves, they need to die. This is all sorts of wrong.~
Much like with the dead Black Fury, this is stuff that infuriates Iris, but she pushes rage aside in favor of Other Things. ~Apocalypse worshipers,~ Iris sends across the pack link, ~They're Wyrm prophecies of the end times, Luna's fall, the anti-Helios, Gaia's death, and all those nasty things.."
Behind the door, there is the sound of music, and soft conversation.
Isla mmms, ~Do we be polite and knock? And if so, how hard?~ She kinda wants to bust in there, but that might not be the right approach. ~Sprinkles, ye got a good idea? Or I just go introduce myself?~
Branton grins wickedly ~I have a spell in mind but its going to take a bit and once I start yanking they'll notice. I say introduce yourselves sharp bits first. I imagine they'll find that quite distracting.~
~They cant possibly not know we're here,~ Iris guesses while unlimbering her bow. This is probably one of those times where it's only good for one shot, what with being in doors, but still! What else are you gonna prep when you aren't cool enough to carry a six shooter?
~ What, you want me to just talk our way into their little club? ~ Jes replies with a grimace, but OF COURSE that's what they want him to do; that's what he DOES. He sighs, closing his eyes for a second, and blows out a long gout of smoke. ~ Okay. I think I got something. But you guys keep back and inconspicuous or out of sight. Got it? ~
Isla grins and steps out of the way, but near the door still. ~ Ye are the master, Sprinkles. Go fer it. ~ Knowing this can get wild with him, much like Antarctica, Isla will keep silent, and directs Iris to the other side to help flank the door if she wishes. Branton can do what he can as well.
Branton finds himself a nook to stand in, out if line of sight of the door, before he starts praying to Zeus to judge those stealing power that is not theirs to claim. Artemis to thwart her daughter's slayers. And Hecate to crush the workings of sorcery turned to dark purposes. Shaping the spell with quiet intensity while the garou buy some time.
Iris backs well up and to the side, into some shadows by a Thingie there in the room (like a clock or who knows what if there's something that'll be somewhat helpful there), and knocks an arrow. Just a plain one for the moment unless something drastic changes. Her goal here is to not be right in front of the door or anything, but where she might pull off a trick shot or not have to move too far to be able to see a target. Note to self, learn how to be invisible! Being wary of the mojo stealing thing in here, she resists the urge to buff up just yet.
Jes just sighs and pulls out one of his revolvers, making a quick sign of the cross over his chest as he preps to do what he does. Once the pack's settled into their spots he bangs hard on the door twice with the butt of his gun and hollers, "I hate to break up your little tea party, but since no one showed up at the depot to meet me when I got into town...," before opening the door and finishing, "I let myself in. Seemed the thing to do. Now I beg your pardon, but my name's Jessup, and the big man from Silver City sent me. You ought to have been notified as such."
The door opens. Inside is another spacious room similar to the first. Similar iconography decorated the floor and interior walls. It is sparsely furnished, as if no one has properly moved in yet. But there are a few items. Tables, desks and such. Across the room sit two men at a small eating table. The first is an older gentleman, bald headed, with a squat face sporting spectacles and long white whiskers that go down on either side of his face past his chin. He is bent over a plate of fish that he is eating with tearing bits off messily with his fingers. Another man sits beside him, not eating, but drinking a glass of wine. He looks nervous and you immediately recognize him as the man at the gambling tables in the brothel, that Jes followed when he left earlier in the evening.
Near them is a spectral woman in white, her feet hovering above the ground and seeming to hold a tray with a pitcher on it.
"Yes yes," the old man says, "I know who you are. Not what you claim to be, either." He waves a hand around to two empty chairs. "Come have a seat. Would you like something to drink? Eat?"
Isla's brow raises at this turn. But for now she stays hidden, letting Jes get his shot to speak with them all.
Jes ignores the invitation to sit, instead maintaining his place blocking the doorway, but he keeps his demeanor as casual as you can when you've got a gun in your hand. "No, I'm well-watered from having to chase that'n over half of creation just to find this place. You could've saved us both a mess of shuffling around and just introduced yourself, pardner. Like so. 'How do, sir? My name's Jessup, and before I found myself in Prospect I spent a patch of time in Reno employed by one Doctor Winston Kincannon in the service of several other folks with whom we are mutually acquainted. It is a pleasure to finallly meet you. I have come a very long way.'"br> He switches his regard from the nervous gambler to the bald fishfeeder and adds, "I have been ducking and dodging those damn Gaians in town all evening. Someone could've warned me the place was infested. Fortunately I keep my camoflage active for these circumstances." He reaches down with his free hand and adjusts his crotch.
Iris's lips twist with humor at Jes, probably remembering him yelling at some startled German scientists and yammering about Elon Musk fucking a glacier. Oh but no. NO, it's the Taint Guard of Taint Masking. God damn it Jessup, it's getting SUPER HARD to be serious and ready to take a shot or something!
The old man looks over at the Gambler with the twitchy bird like mannerisms. He leans in to whisper something to him and they confer. The older man looks particularly put off. He looks back to Jes, "Reno you say, and employed by Dr. Kincannon. I don't suppose he has provided you with any letters of reference as to your relationship with the Society. I assume you have no rank in it yourself." He adjusts his spectacles and looks you over. "You Black Spiral Dancers are a notorious bunch. Have you introduced yourself to the locals yet?" He harumphs. "Nevermind. We'll clear all this up. Come in and have a drink at least. Welcome to the Prospect Chapter of the Society of the Weeping Moon. As you can see, we are in the middle of a transition. Oh and, do invite your friends to join us."
Branton is trying not to laugh his ass off and keep focus on the spell he's building. Sometimes that's the hardest part about working with Death's Jester.
"He told me where to find you and that you'd have received his encoded missive over a week ago," Jes replies testily, blowing out a smoke ring. "I was to be expected and seen to in my role as an agent retriever, which is just a fancy way of saying he sent me to pick up something and bring it back to him. I'm given to believe it's a particular book, but he was a mite vague on the details, seeing as how -- as you surmised -- I exist outside of your 'Society'." At that he does finally saunter in, though he takes a seat at a bit of a distance.
"I think they're fine where they are," he replies to the latter, waving his free hand. "They're all work-for-hire, this don't concern them none. All they care about is gettin' paid when we finish up."
Isla grins and makes a little talkie talkie gesture with her hand as Jes pontificates to the guy. Until they must, she continues to remain where she is.
Iris is inclined to do the same, keeping an eye on two planes and on her occupied beau doing his spell casting. Her bow isn't drawn yet, but it's ready!
Branton is standing quietly now, still tucked away, his hands tingling with power and every hair on his arms standing on end ~Ready to get loud when you are~
The woman in white floats around the table. Her eyes are bottomless pits with nothing resembling eyes. She pours a cup full of wine and with a move of her hand the cup raises into the air and floats towards Jes and dangles there until he takes it.
The old man licks around in his mouth and fishes out a tiny fish bone stuck in his teeth. "We never received any missives, encoded or otherwise. Nor did anyone send a spirit with the message. Unfortunately, without said missive I will not be releasing any book or item to you." He examines the bone as if it has personally offended him and then flicks it away. "While we wait for your missive however, I may have an opportunity for employment, if you and your friends would like to earn some gold."
Isla relays on that pack link. ~Get the information.. yer doing great, Sprinkles.~ She is more than ready to go if and when needed, but the more they know, the more they can realize just how bad this is here.
Jes takes the wine and presents an air of annoyed interest, sighing heavily before replying, "I'll be stuck here 'til the deal's done anyhow, so I may as well entertain offers of employment. What'd you have in mind?". He waits, but sends to the pack, ~ Soon enough. Once I know what he wants, we're in business. ~
Iris scratches her nose while hangin out, and gives Isla a nod of agreement to her mental statements.
Branton is ready and waiting ~I'm pretty sure this isn't going to be at all subtle~
The old man waves sticky fish covered fingers as he continues eating and talking at the same time. "As you've noticed, we are overrun by Gaians right now. In addition to that "Sheriff" - we'll be dealing with him soon - there is a pack of Gaians who have inserted themselves into some of our business interests. Tonight they attacked a group of mercenaries under our employ, and this after nearly foiling months of work to destroy a very deep thorn in our side."
He runs his sticky fingertips down one side of long mustach, "We suspect they are on their way to steal a cargo that belongs to us. We have dispatched some of your compatriots to chase them down before they can interfere but as a contingency plan, they are under instruction to destroy the cargo instead of letting it fall into the wrong hands. That is where you would come in."
"I'm listenin'," Jes replies while leaning back in his chair somewhat, tilting his head and regarding the old man with interest. ~ Hold up, we're almost to it, ~ he reminds his pack, making sure they're braced but willing to let him wheedle out this last bit of information.
Isla listens from here, and a slight shake of her head. ~FUCKING HELL. They are going to kill the kids, and are going after Frostbite!~ Oh she is pissed! But this is good intel. ~Not much longer though. Before I take his head.~
~I dunno if it'll help,~ Iris thinks at the gang, ~But I could send String to try and catch up with them for a warning. I don't think it's gonna be fast enough to catch 'em. ...Unless we tied him to a horse! Or a bird. Or both.~
The old man reach over and takes a long drink from his cup, some of the wine dripping down his mustaches. Yes, two of them. because they don't actually join in the middle. "There is an old abandoned mining town about 6 hours north of here. It became a ghost town after the train was finished and diverted travel away from it. The men we sent after them will force them there along the old spanish roads. Our agents will cast a net they will want to avoid with... the cargo in tow. They'll have no other means of safe travel. The ambush will be set up there. You can join them, and help take care of things, discreetly. The veil will not be endangered."
~ That's it, ~ Jes sends to his pack just before nodding his head and saying, "Much obliged," then raising his pistol to shoot the old man and then the nervous gambler, just like that. Bang bang. One shot each, right in the chest, free hand dropping the glass of wine to shatter on the ground as he reaches up to tip his hat to the ghost servant. "Ma'am.".
Branton hears the gunshot and calls out "Ópos tha to káno, tha eínai étsi." As he makes a gesture like he's pushing something into the floor. The magical fabric of the house, shudders and shakes, to those who sense such things its like a cannon just went off.
Isla steps inside, her bow ready with arrow knocked. As the gun shot goes off, her arrow hits the shoulder of the man that had been talking with Jes. She'll soon be ready with another arrow nocked, in case needed.
As Jes's warning sounds and then the shot rings out, Iris tries really hard to be awesome, sidestepping as she draws her Thorn Bow's string and letting fly an arrow... That just sails right off, thunking into a wall. This is obviously the bad guy's fault for falling back so successfully, or perhaps Jes's fault for shooting them like too much of a bad ass.
Polite conversation at end, Jes does his heel turn. With the luck of the Irish he resists the sweet calming sounds of the music playing in the room and puts a bullet in the chest of the two society members. Iris and Isla both turn into the room and fire arrows to emphasize his point. Meanwhile, Branton motes and so it be.
The woman in white turns her face to Jes and her jaw unhinges, her mouth gaping in a black maw. She lets out a terrifying scream as the spiritual world quakes and a burst of stored gnosis, mana, quintessence -the Neapolitan of spiritual flavors - bursts forth into the room, flooding everyone with gnosis and mana that restores their pools (drink up!). This is the good news.
The bad news is that is it also releases the binding of all the spirits that have been called forth and bound in service to this place and they escape, flooding the Gaia realm, the umbra and the dark umbra all at once. Shadows, banes, and assorted spirits of rage and death begin to take apart the room, and everyone in it.
Branton blinks and shakes his head at the screaming and spiritual shitstorm he kicked off and he starts backing away slowly "Time to go maybe? Slave riots aren't super hospitable."
~Oh shit!~ Iris blurts as she's Gnosis soaked and hurled face first into the umbra. And undoubtably there are some things that do not like her there! ~OH SHIT!~ She materializes in there just in time for the unleashing of all the things and was NOT prepared for that!! Like a proper Theurge, when out numbered and out gunned, she runs the fuck away! Blip in, blip out! Okay, slightly slowish blip on the way out, it takes a few seconds rather than being instant.
Isla reaches for Jes, and grabs him by the shoulder, ushering him out of there. Keeping an eye out for these spirits around them, she leads them out of this place, avoiding the released slaves.
This is one of those rare moments where Iris is glad her dress has basically no front. Switching dresses with Isla was a bad idea damn it, but at least she don't gotta hike anything up! ~Oh oh oh oh! Do we get to steal horses now??~ she asks while they flee, not looking back like the badasses they are.
As all hell breaks loose, the angered spirits held captive by men who thing they know real power go mad. The source of the music stops, and in it's place only the screams of angry spirits. They rage about the room, destroying everything in their path until their rage is spent. Hopefully, they will all return to the realms they came from. Otherwise, Sheriff Peacemaker is gonna have his hands full cleaning up another mess.
The Devil's Own don't stick around to watch it happen. Those outlaws know how to make an entrance, and they sure do know how to make an exit as well. They get the hell out of there. They have bad guys to catch after all, and friends to save.
