ββΠΎΟ
Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄
α΄Ιͺα΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄xα΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄α΄Κα΄Κ Κα΄sΙͺΙ΄α΄ss
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Post by ββΠΎΟ on Jul 24, 2021 15:31:11 GMT -5
AUDO COINBREW
β LOCATION: THE SATIN CLUB β
Audo could sense the unease that accompanied him and Koane backstage. Behind the stage door were a number of chorus members. Their hushed gossip halted as soon as the detectives entered, and it did not resume even as the two men walked by. Audo kept his eyes peeled for Lucia Grimme. It was difficult enough to make out any faces in the darkness. Lights were presumably forbidden during the show, so as not to distract from what was happening on stage. For that reason, the faces of the cast were often shrouded in darkness. It did not help that many of them were busy with some task, whether that be stretching or putting on the finishing touches of their costumes. Some simply stopped and stared at the strange men who walked through the corridor.
βI think sheβs gone to the wind,β Koane said as they stood in the doorway of the empty green room. Audo was still for a moment, frozen in thought.
βShit,β he said finally. It had been a mistake to ask the cast about her before the show. One of them must have tipped her off and she had made a run for it. I suppose that confirms she has something to hide, he thought to himself, but he did not vocalize the sentiment. It was conjectural, and claiming such things was poor detective work. She might have left for other reasons as well, though their likelihood was much slimmer. He felt he was drawing closer to answers, but they evaded him still.
Audo stepped into the green room and poked about for a few minutes. He did not see any physical evidence that pertained specifically to Lucia. A number of personal items were scattered about the room; clothing, jewelry, newspapers, and shoes. But there was no knowing whom they belonged to. Eventually he stood.
The detectiveβs dark gaze slid over to Koane and he stated, βWhat a waste of a night.β He glanced at his pocket watch. It was nearly nine pm. Part of him wished to give up, return home to a cognac and a good book. But that would mean discarding more valuable time. Decoding the evidence would be more difficult the longer they waited. βI think Iβll hunt down Calliope and then return to one of the burn sites to poke around a bit more. Perhaps thereβs something I missed on my initial walk through. Do you wish to join?β
He felt a twinge of guilt for asking Koane along for what proved to be a failed endeavor. Perhaps the night could be saved yet, if they managed to find some new evidence at the burn site. Calliope and Koane had yet to accompany him to gather evidence. He trusted both of them had expertise that he did not, so there was a chance something new could be discovered. Such was the life of a detective, combing back through the same cryptic clues until a theory stuck. They were at the most frustrating point in any case where it seemed as though answers would be forever elusive.
Lucia would have to be tracked down at a later point. Something told him it would be a difficult task now that she knew he was on her heels. He cursed his own carelessness.
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ββΠΎΟ
Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄
α΄Ιͺα΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄xα΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄α΄Κα΄Κ Κα΄sΙͺΙ΄α΄ss
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Post by ββΠΎΟ on Jul 24, 2021 16:00:14 GMT -5
LUCIA GRIMME
β LOCATION: NEAR THE SATIN CLUB β
Lucia looked between Nuadha and Leif, detecting a hint of resentment that she had never picked up on before. She felt like pressing them further, but bit her tongue. They could work out their own issues without her help. She was annoyed with Leif for following them. After all, eavesdropping was rude. She was also annoyed with Nuadha for acting hostile to her childhood friend. But she knew it was pointless to scold them now, and they had more important matters to attend to.
Nuadha called her attention to the end of the alleyway. Her gaze flicked there just in time to catch the ascent of a pair of black wings which disappeared into the night. A raven. The unease settled into her chest again as she remembered where they were going. It seemed the godfathers were already privy to their plans. Lleu said as much aloud. How do they know? she wondered, but she was too nervous to ask him the same question.
Her attention returned to Leif. The young man looked ruffled from his encounter with Nuadha. More so than usual, she added. He stalked the city streets more than anyone she knew, and he was often a bit disheveled. Not that she was one to judge. She still wore her costume under her coat. A coat with holes in the collar.
βFine. You can come along,β she conceded after a bit of convincing from Leif. She had no time to argue with him and knew he would follow even if she said no. She hated that he was already in danger merely by association. Perhaps it would be easier to protect him if he was close. βBut you must behave in front of the godfathers. No antics. Promise?β she asked him, holding out her pinky as she had done when they were children. It was a risk bringing him before the leaders of the gang. Leif was technically unaffiliated from the gangs, and his kind were traditionally associated with their rivals. She hoped, if they were truly being watched, the godfathers knew he was harmless and not some sort of spy.
βNow letβs go. New York seems to be getting smaller by the minute,β she huffed. Thankfully it was not far to the gang headquarters. In fact, as they rounded the corner of the alley, she could see the spires of the gothic cathedral carving into the low clouds. Perhaps she imagined it, but she thought for a split second she could see a dark shape wheeling into one of the windows. Her hand found its way unconsciously into Lleuβs.
βWeβll be fine,β she said, half to herself and half to the boys.
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Post by leilarf on Jul 25, 2021 21:45:30 GMT -5
(Sorry for my recent inactivity! Iβve been out of town and I was unable to bring my laptop. Iβll be back home tomorrow evening so Iβll make sure to work on producing a response asap.)
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jul 26, 2021 14:02:23 GMT -5
( *yawn* so sleepy. Only 7 more patients today tho )
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jul 26, 2021 14:45:14 GMT -5
( sounds more entertaining lol )
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Post by Hushabye on Jul 26, 2021 23:39:18 GMT -5
[ Ahh I'm Sorry! I'm not feeling well right now but please continue to move things along! Lleu would just be interested in what the Raven and others have to say, so you don't have to worry about him missing or skipping out on anything. I'll be able to catch up with the new info and just summarize things in a later post! ^^" ]
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ββΠΎΟ
Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄
α΄Ιͺα΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄xα΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄α΄Κα΄Κ Κα΄sΙͺΙ΄α΄ss
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Post by ββΠΎΟ on Jul 27, 2021 0:11:30 GMT -5
[ Okay! No worries, Hushabye! I'll let Pearl reply and then write the post of the group arriving at the godfathers' cathedral. ]
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Post by Hushabye on Jul 27, 2021 0:19:02 GMT -5
[ Great! ^^" ]
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Post by Pearl on Jul 27, 2021 1:46:10 GMT -5
LEIF
19 β― Male β― Shapeshifter β― Unaffiliated β― The Street Rat β―
β― Location: Near The Satin Club β―
_____________________________
Leif rolls his eyes. "I may be young, but I'm not stupid, Lucia. I'm nineteen now. It's not like I don't understand stakes anymore. And I haven't gotten into trouble in a while. I'm an information broker. I don't fight. I hide and gather information. That's all. And anyway, I'm unaffiliated with the gangs. I'm neutral, so I don't have any allegiances. I'm not going to risk that." He looks at Lucia with softer eyes. "I'm glad you're happy though."
Even as a child, Leif was always worried about Lucia. She was a big sister to him. He was qualified as a younger brother to look out for her. And so, he wanted to know every little detail about her life so that he could protect her properly. As an unaffiliated information broker, he was always neutral when it came to either gang buying information off him. He never strayed into the fights, and always gave equal amounts of information to both sides when requested. He knew it was risky business, but it was the only idea he had when thinking of jobs. With his shapeshifting nature, disguises were everything to him, and he wanted to make good use of his abilities.
"Of course we'll be fine. You have me here. I'll help you if needed..." Leif pauses. "By the way, Lucia, are you affiliated with either of the gangs?" It was one of the things he never looked into. Of course, even if she was, he wouldn't change the way he operated his business, but he might give the gang a discount. Only if they knew Lucia personally, of course. "And if we do get injured, I'll get medicine from Tacita." That last thought was just a brief idea in case they ended up in trouble.
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ββΠΎΟ
Ι΄α΄ α΄α΄
α΄Ιͺα΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄α΄ α΄xα΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Ι΄ α΄α΄Κα΄Κ Κα΄sΙͺΙ΄α΄ss
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Post by ββΠΎΟ on Jul 27, 2021 15:21:08 GMT -5
LUCIA GRIMME
β LOCATION: NEAR THE SATIN CLUB β
Under different circumstances, Lucia may have gotten annoyed by Leifβs monologuing, but she was too preoccupied with the task at hand to pay it much mind. Instead of responding to all of his points, she led the way down the sidewalk.
βHush, Leif,β she stated eventually as he was asking about gang affiliations. βWe donβt know who might be listening.β They were nearing the gangβs headquarters, and every person within earshot seemed like a potential eavesdropper. They were a few blocks away from the busier parts of the neighborhood. A few people loitered on the sidewalks, smoking cigarettes or talking in hushed tones. Lucia sensed they were being watched, but did not know by whom.
When they reached the steps of the cathedral she stopped and lowered her voice so they wouldnβt be overheard. βThe leaders of the wyrms are very old and very powerful,β she was speaking mostly to Leif, but glanced at Nuadha as well. βWe must appeal to them quickly, and respectfully, then leave.β
Then she started up the stone steps. Standing watch at the door of the cathedral was a pale countenanced man with yellow eyes. If Lucia had to guess, he was probably a vampire or fae. The tips of his ears were hidden under a black hat. βState your business,β he prompted as the trio halted at the threshold of the enormous gothic building.
Lucia did not meet his gaze for long. She simply stated, βItβs related to the arsonist.β
The yellow-eyed manβs face did not betray any emotion. He did not say anything either as he pushed the door open to let them through. The corridor they entered was rather dark, with the only light coming from the room beyond. The air was surprisingly cool inside, as if they were entering a cavern. But as they passed into another door into the main hall, Lucia was surprised to find it bathed in warm light. The high ceilings were vaulted and stained glass windows of glowing jewel tones lined all walls. The pews, originally intended for churchgoers, were completely empty.
At the far end of the great room were three chairs that resembled thrones on an elevated stage. Only one of them was occupied. Behind the stage was another wall of elaborate painted glass. The central portrait was of a rose under the light of a crescent moon.
A slender woman with curled platinum hair sat on the throne on the left. She was in a stylish dress of deep burgundy, and her posture was relaxed. She leaned against one arm and her legs were crossed. Only once the trio had begun to near the stage did her catlike eyes slide up to examine them.
βLucia Grimme and Nuadha Belvedere,β she greeted in an icy voice. Lucia did not know how Gierny Skalldottir, the dove of the wyrms, knew their names. The gang was large and rarely congregated in person. Besides, Lucia was affiliated with them in name alone. It was her mother and older sisters who had real ties to the wyrms. But she did not dare interrupt the powerful fae. βI do not know this one,β she added, glancing at Leif. βA shapeshifter I see?β Again, Lucia felt a tingle of unease run down her spine. How did she know he was a shapeshifter?
βHow can I help you, little Marionette?β Gierny asked, returning her attention to Lucia.
The young woman cleared her throat. Coming here was a bad idea, she thought internally. But it was too late now. She could feel the ancient fae reading her like a three line poem. βI think I am being framed for the recent fires around Thistlestreet. I donβt know why or by whom, but I hoped you might be able to offer some guidance and perhaps some help?β Lucia found her gaze veering instinctively toward the other two thrones. For the first time she found herself wondering where the raven and the owl had flown off to. Gierny, the dove, was not known for handling the logistics of the gang. She was a seer and the lover of the other two godfathers. Lucia feared it was a mistake coming to her alone with her predicament. The dove's reputation preceded her. She was said to be unpredictable and at times ruthless.
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jul 27, 2021 17:11:30 GMT -5
( Hekkin hip )
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jul 27, 2021 20:36:31 GMT -5
( I will reply tomorrow )
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Jul 28, 2021 18:32:26 GMT -5
THE MORRIGAN
β LOCATION: NEAR THE SATIN CLUB β
βGuidance, indeed,β crowed another voice, seeming to echo from the rafters of the great gothic cathedral. A dark shadow seemed to detach itself from those that clung to the roof, despite the wide windows letting in a generous amount of light from the moon. It swept downward in a spiraling motion, its form clearly that of a crow or a raven as it drew closer. Just before the avian landed, it seemed to melt away, becoming an inky, yet gaseous, substance that sank to the ground and pooled. From the swirling shadows stepped a womanly figure. She was petite in size, and yet still radiated an intimidating aura. As the blackness washed away from her and vanished, her appearance became more visible. And obvious.
Morrigan, one of the three leaders of the Wyrms, known also as the Raven, stood before the trio. She wore a pair of elegant, dark gray riding trousers that were tucked into leather boots, reaching her mid-calf. Her top was made of a soft lavender, gently clinging to her frame. She strode forward, towards her throne; her ebon black hair was left in loose curls, reaching down to brush against the small of her back. It seemed to shimmer with a deep blue as the moonβs light bathed her. As she turned to face the trio, her eyes settled on Lucia, their pale, nearly translucent irises, unreadable. Her expression was equally blank as she took her throne, crossing one leg over the other. She stared at the group for a long moment, gaze drifting from Lucia, to Nuadha, and finally to Leif.
Although she appeared relatively harmless, like Gierny, Morrigan was anything but. She was ancient, although no one but she knew her true age, and that old, timelessness simmered in her eyes. Her nose was proud and straight, resting over full lips, painted dark, brilliant red. High cheekbones framed the rest of her face, and the soft, sloping curves at the tips of her ears gave away what Mor was, if one had been too blind or stupid to sense it. Fae, seemingly old as the earth itself. Power seemed to cling to her, rolling off her in invisible waves. Her reputation preceded her, it seemed. A goddess of death, chaos and war indeed. Behind her, the moon continued its ascent, casting its silver glow through the cathedral.
βTell me,β Mor finally said, her tone as flat as her expression, βwhy we should deign to help a girl foolish enough to stick her nose where it does not belong?β She glanced at Gierny from the corner of her eye. βWhat Lucia did not state, my dear, was that she purposely has inserted herself into matters beyond her ken.β There was a soft lilt beneath Morriganβs worse, betraying her Celtic origins. βI cannot say how she pulled these other two into her machinations, but they must be fools as well for following her lead.β
Her role was the protector of the gang, cloaking its members in a shadow of obscurity, eliminating any threat to those under her charge when necessary. And although Lucia was technically affiliated with the gang, Mor was loathe to lend aid to someone stupid and naive enough to place herself at the scene of a crime, however unwitting she had been. The simmering in her gaze made this obvious.
"So," Mor repeated. "Tell me why we should take the time to help you."
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Post by Pearl on Aug 1, 2021 4:49:19 GMT -5
LEIF
19 β― Male β― Shapeshifter β― Unaffiliated β― The Street Rat β―
β― Location: Near The Satin Club β―
_____________________________
Leif sighs, and falls silent. He wanted to talk with Lucia a little more, but he knew how important it was to listen to her for now. He watched as Lucia got them in. He looked at their surroundings with a rather blank expression. He didn't feel impressed, btu he did feel a little nervous for Lucia. What if something went wrong? As she said, the leaders were ancient. He looks up at the slender woman. Despite being so old, she actually looked young. He wasn't sure how he felt looking at her. He knew in his mind, that she was old, but looking at her, he couldn't wrap his mind around it. He just looked too young.
They reached the stage. βLucia Grimme and Nuadha Belvedere,β she greeted icily. βI do not know this one." He knew she glanced at him, and he felt the hair on his neck rise. It felt dangerous. βA shapeshifter I see?β At that comment, Leif frowns at her. Yes, he was a shapeshifter, but that didn't mean anything. That was what he was, but he was so much more than just a shapeshifter. He didn't know how she knew, but that didn't matter. Everyone had secrets.
"Leif, the information broker," he says, bowing to her. He doesn't say any more.
βHow can I help you, little Marionette?β she asks Lucia. Leif looks at Lucia, hoping she'd be alright by the end of the conversation.
βI think I am being framed for the recent fires around Thistlestreet. I donβt know why or by whom, but I hoped you might be able to offer some guidance and perhaps some help?β Lief bites his lower lip. Would they get any help from the leaders? He wasn't sure, but he sure hoped so. He didn't want Lucia to be in any more trouble than they were already in.
βGuidance, indeed," another voice echoed. Leif looks around, trying to find who spoke. He didn't like it here. He wanted to leave, but there was no way he was going to leave Lucia to her own devices. She was the big sister he recognised, and he was going to help her, even if being here creeped him out. This is creepy as f***... he thinks to himself. He notices the raven when it flew.
Oh, great! Another young-looking leader... They were clearly old hags, so why did they have to look so young? Did they have a fetish or something? Leif shudders at the thought. The Raven's voice brought Leif back to the present.
βTell me, why we should deign to help a girl foolish enough to stick her nose where it does not belong?" Leif looks confused. What did she mean by that? Did Lucia do something wrong? He looks from the Raven back to Lucia. What did you do, Lucia? he wonders silently. His gaze said it all. βWhat Lucia did not state, my dear, was that she purposely has inserted herself into matters beyond her ken. I cannot say how she pulled these other two into her machinations, but they must be fools as well for following her lead. So, tell me why we should take the time to help you.β
At that, Leif stand straighter. "We are not fools," he bursts out. He was a little tired of the two leaders talking down on the three of them. "Rather than pulling us into her machinations, we're willing to help her when she's in need. Honestly, I don't care what happens to Nuadha, but I grew up with Lucia. She's the only big sister I had as a child, and I'm more than willing to help her when she's in trouble. I don't know much about what happened to Lucia, but I do know she's in trouble, and that's all the motivation I need to step in and try to help her."
That was all Leif was really wanting to say. He shrinks back a little once his outburst was finished, but still stands straight, his eyes burning with a fire that previously wasn't there.
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Aug 2, 2021 20:50:28 GMT -5
[ gonna wait for the others to reply (: ]
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Post by parisiansteve on Aug 6, 2021 6:06:56 GMT -5
[ hey everyone! Sorry for being so absent - Iβve been trying to focus on some other stories and working on my first few grad school classes ^^β
Iβm going to put up a starter for Eliza today or tomorrow (Iβm moving apartments right now as well) and get things rolling! I really appreciate all of the ideas and patience, and Iβve really loved watching the story unfold! Iβm ready to jump in soon. Iβm so so sorry for being away! ]
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Post by Hushabye on Aug 8, 2021 3:55:07 GMT -5
[ I'm back! More or less ^^;; Trying to figure out how to write my post! ]
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Post by πΎππππππππ on Aug 8, 2021 12:16:21 GMT -5
[ I'm waiting on Glow lol ]
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