✘ || 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ [ɴᴇᴡ ᴍᴀɪɴs ᴀᴅᴅᴇᴅ]

LUCIA GRIMME
✘ LOCATION: NEAR THE SATIN CLUB ✘

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.

“Fine. You can come along,” 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. “But you must behave in front of the godfathers. No antics. Promise?” 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.

“Now let’s go. New York seems to be getting smaller by the minute,” 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 Lleu’s.

“We’ll be fine,” she said, half to herself and half to the boys.

LUCIA GRIMME
✘ LOCATION: NEAR THE SATIN CLUB ✘

Under different circumstances, Lucia may have gotten annoyed by Leif’s 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.

“Hush, Leif,” she stated eventually as he was asking about gang affiliations. “We don’t know who might be listening.” They were nearing the gang’s 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 wouldn’t be overheard. “The leaders of the wyrms are very old and very powerful,” she was speaking mostly to Leif, but glanced at Nuadha as well. “We must appeal to them quickly, and respectfully, then leave.”

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. “State your business,” 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, “It’s related to the arsonist.”

The yellow-eyed man’s 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.

“Lucia Grimme and Nuadha Belvedere,” 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. “I do not know this one,” she added, glancing at Leif. “A shapeshifter I see?” Again, Lucia felt a tingle of unease run down her spine. How did she know he was a shapeshifter?

“How can I help you, little Marionette?” 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. “I think I am being framed for the recent fires around Thistlestreet. I don’t know why or by whom, but I hoped you might be able to offer some guidance and perhaps some help?” 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.

LEIF
19 ☯ Male ☯ Shapeshifter ☯ Unaffiliated ☯ The Street Rat ☯
☯ Location: Near The Satin Club ☯
_____________________________

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.  “Lucia Grimme and Nuadha Belvedere,” she greeted icily.  “I do not know this one."  He knew she glanced at him, and he felt the hair on his neck rise.  It felt dangerous.   “A shapeshifter I see?”  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.

“How can I help you, little Marionette?” she asks Lucia.  Leif looks at Lucia, hoping she'd be alright by the end of the conversation.

“I think I am being framed for the recent fires around Thistlestreet. I don’t know why or by whom, but I hoped you might be able to offer some guidance and perhaps some help?”  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.

“Guidance, 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.

“Tell 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.  “What 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.”

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.