[Nexus] Riverside VI

[ThirdEmperor]

Eastside- Streets

The utilities are surprisingly advanced, at least for such a slummy region of such a backwater town. Electrical power is available in almost seventy percent of the district, purified running water being only slightly less common, thanks to the dam. Cellphone signals are patchy throughout and with large deadzones, but at least they exist. Telephone lines and Internet access though, those are less common, available only in the richer neighborhoods or were some tech-savvy soul was kind enough to set up a makeshift tower atop the houses.

The most pressing lack, however, is of proper sewer systems. Only about half of Eastside has working plumbing, the rest stuck with either septic tanks if they're lucky or the streets if they're not. Worse yet, what sewer tunnels do exist dump their waste into the river only a few dozen yards outside of town. Downstream of course, but still major pollution.

Eastside- Church

"Really? Well, that is welcome news. Things are always breaking faster than they can be repaired around here, and what doesn't break is vandalized." The priest sighs, turning and walking towards the door that leads to the residential section of the temple. "Come along, I've got to check the records, see who's volunteered to put up a poor unfortunate or two. Mainly small bed and breakfast places, you don't find much charity or religion in the larger businesses."

Eastside- Back Alley

"Right. This way!" Murdock barks, attempting to lead the two suspects out of the fog at gunpoint. Well, taser gunpoint. He'll make sure to keep an eye on both of them the whole time, although it would be fairly easy for any third accomplice they may or may not have to sneak up on him.

[Gullara]

[Exbourne Manor - Ramiro's Office]

A scowl forms on Ramiro's face. This is far from good news. "You've done well, Mortius, thank you. If you can gather any more information please do, but I expect that's all you will be able to get."

[Exbourne Manor - Unoccupied Room]

Maria looks a bit shocked at that, but if it helps get Valente back she doesn't care. "What do you think you can do to get him back?" She doesn't know what Astrana can do, but anything would help.

[Suncrest Manor]

Wasn't Irena wearing a dress?

Nadia giggles and shugs. "I guess you're right." Besides, it's not like either of them haven't seen the other without clothes. >.> Nadia strips off her clothes quickly and climbs into bed with Irena.

[Westside Children's Home]

"It's only been a few days since I've been here." She takes Saturdays off and volunteers in the evenings every weekday. She's been absent for thelast few days, though.

Dana smiles at the little girl, especially seeing as she's alright. "Since you asked so nicely, sure." She stands, helping Lily to her feet as she does. Then she'll take her hand and guide her to... somewhere. Some kind of living room.

"Want me to keep reading you Phineas Goldbloom, or something different for now?" Of course, they're getting near the end of The Door of Embers. She's probably eager to see what happens next.

[Slii Arhem]

Westside Children's Home

Lily is led to the common room and settles into the couch, leaning into Dana's side if the volunteer lets her.

"It was still too long. You missed Thanksmas, and Riley and Tor and Eon... Everything happened while you were gone. Everything!" She repeats herself to emphasise just how much everything Dana missed.

She gives a nod at the choice of book. It isn't her favorite series, because Phineas is too silly sometimes, but she's kind of wrapped up in what happens next in this book. It's a shame the orphanage can't buy her brail copies of them, but it would be a bit of a waste to get books for just one child.

A horrible thought occurs to the little blind girl, and she tries tugging on Dana's dress, "You got a thanksmas present didn't you?" Not getting a present on thanksmas would be just awful.

----

Eastside - Streets

"Ah, another person deaf to the voices above. Do not fret my sister, for the voices speak to all. It merely takes certain tools to unclog your spiritual ears."

The robed man who isn't speaking coughs, then reaches into a pocket to withdraw a rag to hold over his mouth.

"Excuse brother Methir. He's been ill for some time. I don't wish to take up any more of your time, but perhaps we could leave you with something to read, and should you have questions you could contact us?"

Brother Methir pulls a pamphlet from his pocket and holds it out to Kate, shuffling towards her gently while covering his mouth with the rag.

[Lord Magtok]

The Delectable Dancing Dragon => Outside Exbourne Manor

Spoiler

Show

[The Delectable Dancing Dragon]

Back in the limo and back to Exbourne. Before she heads inside, Samona says. "Thank you for escorting me, Magtok. That went very well. I'll talk to you again soon." She gives him a wink and then she's off headed into the manor.

As soon as she's out of sight and earshot, Magtok's face scrunches up in confusion.

"...The hell does that wink even mean?"

The robot limo driver just shakes his head and drives away. If Maggy can't figure it out, a humble automaton certainly isn't going to magically solve everything.

[Lost_Deep]

Eastside - Streets

Kate takes the pamphlet, and examines it skeptically. She's heard some things about the local church... may as well take this. Maybe it'll give some useful information on the church.

"Okay. Thank you. I'll ask if I have any questions."
Kate suspects nothing. There's nothing to suspect, is there?

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

Hrm, right. Too used to her wearing other clothes. <.<

Irena simply don't know why anyone would wear a pajamas, it seems quite pointless to her.
She snuggles close to Nadia and starts to relax once again, "So have you been thinking about the future by the way? I mean... what we will do?"

[Exbourne Manor - Unoccupied Room]

"I don't know yet. I could cast a charm spell on Valente to bring him back home. I'm just not sure it's powerful enough to break whatever spell the witch cast on him though. That's why I'm waiting for more information before I make my move... but it's almost unbearable." She confesses in a low voice, clenching her fists in frustration.

[Slii Arhem]

Eastside - Streets

As soon as Kate accepts the pamphlet, Brother Methir breaks into a vicious fit of coughing, attempting to lay his free hand onto her shoulder to steady himself. If that works, the coughs will go on for several seconds until she seems convinced it's genuine.

Then, the hand holding the rag will dart from his mouth to hers, trying to cover her mouth with it while at the same time flipping a fold of it away. The revealed patch is soaked lightly in chloroform, and should send Kate into unconciousness if she breathes too heavily.

[Lost_Deep]

Eastside - Streets

Kate will not only let him put a hand on her shoulder, but offer her arm as support.

"Woah, that's pretty bad. You may want to go back home and huuua-"

zzzzzzzz...

[Gullara]

[Exbourne Manor - Unoccupied Room]

Maria nods. "We'll do whatever we can. Just tell me when your information comes in, alright?"

[Suncrest Manor]

"Well... not a lot really. I've never really thought about this before now." Nadia admits. "But I guess I better start thinking about it, huh?" She smiles and caresses Irena's face.

[Westside Children's Home]

"I couldn't let my dad be all along on Thanksmas, now could I?" Dana has no problem with Lily leaning on her. She tries to take one of Lily's hands and guides it up to her own ears. On it is a simple hoop earring. "Dad got me these. Did you get anything?"

[Slii Arhem]

Westside Children's Home

Lily feels around the earring briefly before dropping her hand back into Dana's lap.

"Me and Michael got a painting of Doctor Decibel and Santa with us, and he signed it and everything! I met someone really nice there too. She had really pretty ears." Lily sticks a hand into the pocket of her paint stained overalls and brings out her sketchbook, carefully flipping to the right page. Inside is a freshly drawn picture of Trix, still fairly accurate despite how long it has been since Lily last "saw" her.

----

Eastside - Basement

When Kate next wakes she's been bound to a table by padded leather straps, a pouch of smelling salts waved under her nose to rouse her.

"I apologize for the occlusion Ms. Kyland. You see, when dealing with demons and devils in the pits of the world, it is hard to tell just who you can trust." A woman's voice comes from one of the darkened corners of the room. The only light source available is a dull red glow from a forge on the back wall.

The hand holding the smelling salts withdraws, and the robed monk it is connected to mans the forge.

"It's so hard to tell, in fact, that some of us have been driven to alternate methods just to find the answers we seek. You seem like a very well informed young lady Ms. Kyland, and I'm hoping this little session will be both short and productive. I'll ask you a few questions, you'll give me a few answers. Should you lie, the gods will guide my hand in bringing the truth from you. Should I find you to be in collusion with these dark forces that plague our world, I will make your end swift and merciful. Jugement does not wait for you or I after all." The owner of the voice steps from the shadows, the harsh glow of the coals reflecting off the bandages wrapped around her head and arms. She's wearing a leather blacksmith's smock over a set of parishioner's robes.

"Do you find these terms agreeable?"

[Lost_Deep]

Eastside - Basement

Kate stays silent for a minute.

"Wh-what are you going to ask me? What do you want to know that couldn't be discovered in a conversation?"

Kate struggles a bit, before confirming that she can't get out.

"Okay, okay, look, I want some questions answered, too. Do you know how illegal this is? What makes you think I know anything about demons or devils?"

...

"Umm... how was it you will be telling that I'm telling the truth?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Exbourne Manor - Unoccupied Room]

"That could take days, I don't want to sit around waiting. I refuse to. There must be something more we can do." The tiefling insists.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Uh, yeah. I mean, I got money now and so on." Irena replies, seemingly rather nervous despite having done this before. "I really haven't considerate setteling down though... I'm not really sure what to do." She admits, Nadia was special to her, but this was a very confusing situation.

[Slii Arhem]

Eastside - Basement

"Illegal is a church burning down in the night and no one investigating. The legality of our actions is unimportant. We are on the side of Justice, and Justice will see us through."

The man at the bellows stops pumping, taking up the tongs nearby and extracting a few pieces of coal. These he puts into a metal pot nearby, lending it their heat.

"We will know you are telling the truth because it is in your best interest to do so. If you truly know nothing of demons, vampires and other such scum then you will come to no harm. You have not seen our faces, heard our true names, and know nothing that would harm our efforts to see Justice done."

The silent man pours a ladle of scented water over the coals, sending a plume of steam into the room. The water contains a kind of incense that relaxes the mind, opening people up and making them more likely to tell the truth, without being magical.

[Gullara]

[Exbourne Manor - Unoccupied Room]

"We can't do anything rash. I want to get him back as much as you do, but we aren't going to be able to unless he leaves AMEN or we have more information to work with." Maria says. She wanted Ramiro to use their man on the inside to do something. It's not like he's been active for the last little while. She's already said her piece to him, though.

[Suncrest Manor]

"We'll take it slow, alright. We both need to figure this out. I'm just glad I get to with someone as great as you." Nadia says reassuringly. She rubs her foot on Irena's leg, just enjoying being close to her girlfriend.

[Westside Children's Home]

"Wow, that's really good, Lily." Dana puts her arm around the girl to give her a little hug. "I'm glad you two had a good time. I bet Michael was excited about meeting Doctor Decibel." Dana tilts the picture up a little higher so she can get a better look at it as Lily replies.

[Lost_Deep]

Eastside - Basement

"Look- I... You... uh..."

She takes a deep breath.

"Woah... what is that? Nice..."

A pause.

"Calculated..."

[Slii Arhem]

Westside Children's Home

Lily nods, shifting a bit so that she can snuggle into Dana's arms even closer.

"He really did. He couldn't stop talking about it for days until Elder Moss finally bought him a new comic to bribe him with."

The picture is very good, even though Lily normally isn't that good with a pencil. It's clear she has been practicing this one face in particular, since the pages before that are mostly fill with doodles of Trix as well.

"Where did we leave off?" Lily can't quite remember. It was either during his daring escape from the flying mudcrabs or when he had to steal the key from the frumpy head nurse.

----

Eastside - Basement

The bandaged woman ignores Kate's words and dips a finger into the steaming waters, attempting to rub it under Kate's nose so that the scent will fill her nostrils with each breath.

"I mentioned a church burning earlier. Have you ever heard of the Church of Endless Judgement? What can you tell me of the cause of the fire? We have tracked the perpetrators back to this city from Inside."

One thing Kate may notice is that the woman, despite her fervor, is not especially good at interrogation. She's already given away the name of her church, and she isn't even past the first question.

[Shadowcaller]

[Exbourne Manor - Unoccupied Room]

"Have... have you told his parents yet?" Astrana asks. "Do they even know about me?"

[Suncrest Manor]

That makes Irena blush slightly, "Mm...I really didn't expect this much after a single drunken night out." She admits sheepishly before giving Nadia a quick kiss.

[Lost_Deep]

Eastside - Basement

"Hey, hey, I got enough of your soothing scent! Don't want me to fall asleep. It's supposed to make me cooperative isn't it?"

A calculated scent.

"I've never heard of the Church of Endless Judgement before. It's a pity it burned down, but I don't know anyone that would do that kind of thing. Umm... what pieces of evidence led you to Riverside? I think that Inside would make a lot more sense."

[Gullara]

[Exbourne Manor - Unoccupied Room]

Maria shakes her head. "A letter wouldn't have reached them by now even if I had sent it. I don't want to worry them if there's any chance we can get him back." She smiles a little bit, though it's rather grim. "In the last letter they sent me they were asking about you. They said Valente never told them nearly enough."

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia giggles as she's kissed. "Me neither." Not that she was exactly drunk... but almost close enough. She rests her forehead against Irena's and closes her eyes. She can't sleep when it's night like this, but it's nice being close to her.

[Westside Children's Home]

"Hm, I think it was the part when he had to take the key to the boggart in the dungeon." Dana opens the book to the marked page and begins to read. They'll probably be at it for a little while at least.

[Slii Arhem]

Westside Children's Home

Lily is engrossed with the story, but if Dana isn't careful she'll find a tiny hand reaching up to idly play with her hair as Lily is being read to. This can go on for as long as Dana cares to read, since there are other children to look after.

Eastside - Basement

"It would be best for you to stop asking questions. Once we can confirm your innocence you shall have time to chatter. For now, you will answer to us and not the other way around."

The bandaged woman idly scratches at her covered face, revealing a glimpse of singed flesh underneath.

"What do you know of the vampires of Westside? The court of east? If you are not of the profane and guilty then I must know where to seek them out!" Spittle flies from her lips, landing on the table near Kate's head. The woman's eyes have glazed over slightly, a mad cast to her sneer.

[Lost_Deep]

Eastside - Basement

Usually, Kate would miss a little slip like that. With the scent well and thoroughly on her mind, though, she has less distractions and easily notes it and comes to the conclusion that this woman was scarred in the fire.

"I don't know much about the vampires. Um... they basically control westside, keep a perpetual twilight over it so they don't have to worry about the sun. I think I've heard they have a blood tithe as taxes. The court consists of individuals chosen by Genesis. Their mission, as I understand it, is to help re-build Eastside from the ground up if necessary. They want to make it a nice place to live, as opposed to it's current reputation as one of the worst places in the city."

Kate really hopes that the next step of the woman's fervor isn't knives.

"More specific questions would probably be more helpful to you."

[Slii Arhem]

Eastside - Basement

"You speak favorably of this court... They are not ones you would associate with sabotage then? That makes it unlikely they would be the ones behind this... Whatever forays they make to Inside would not start with such madness." She seems to be speculating, perhaps taking Kate's suggestion to heart as she ponders her next questions carefully.

It seems my path must head softly into darkness once more. I am greatful the voices have told us of ways to deal with such beasts."

"I have a final question for you, and then a request. What do you know of the Westside stance on religion? I must know if I am to guide my flock on the path to Justice."

"The request is of a more simple nature. I ask you to confess your greatest crime, and submit to judgement in the eyes of the gods. You will not be harmed, whether you accept or refuse. After this you may go." There is a blunt sincerity in her voice.

[Lost_Deep]

Eastside - Basement

Kate thinks a moment.

"I... haven't heard a thing about what the vampires think of religion, sorry. I try my best to avoid westside. Seeing as traditionally, vampires are weakened by holy stuff you may want to be very, very careful that they don't catch wind of you before you know how they feel about it. As for my greatest crime... I assume you mean sin, not just illegal things. Also, I'm going to assume that crimes while someone is controlling my brain don't count."

She would much rather not have to explain the Libra Incident.

Kate thinks for a minute. "Nothing leaps to mind... let me think..."

[Slii Arhem]

Eastside - Basement

"That is fine, my child. Take your time." The bandaged woman seems to be slipping into old habits, ministering to Kate as if she was one of her parishioners.

The monk holding the pot of cooling water seems agitated for some reason, but when the bandaged woman motions to him he sets it down and starts undoing Kate's straps, starting with her legs. He's careful to keep back in case she wants to try for a kick.

[Lost_Deep]

Eastside - Basement

Kate does not kick or strike out, but she does sit up when all the restraints are off.

"Nothing immediately stands out to me. I've done white lies, of course, but I've always caved in and told the truth if the subject is pushed at all. There was a time that I was really hormonal, but in retrospect even at my worst I was better than a lot of girls my age. I've slumped on homework, but I've always caught back up. I think I owe someone back home fifteen bu- no, I paid that."

Honestly? Kate's lived an A+ life as far as following the rules is concerned. She doesn't even pirate software.

"Nope, can't think of any big crimes or sins in my life."

[Slii Arhem]

Eastside - Basement

"Then you shall be blessed. Let the voices ring out for you forevermore." A light shines from the woman's outstretched hand to attempt to engulf Kate.

Almost immediately Kate should be able to hear a faint whispering surround her. When the robed monk moves closer with a bag containing her possessions it grows louder. Kate has now been blessed to hear the voices of the gods.

If she ever runs across a person or situation being directly influenced by a god, she should be able to hear these whispers and know of their meddling.

"You may go." The woman's voice is now audibly overlaid with that of her gods. It is fairly obvious they are speaking through her.

[Lost_Deep]

Eastside - Basement

Kate is effected, and takes her belongings wordlessly. She is obviously suddenly scared and a bit confused.

"Um... bye."

She will then bet led out or will leave herself if the way is obvious enough.

[Shadowcaller]

[Exbourne Manor - Unoccupied Room]

Astrana blinks, "Oh... I didn't know that." What would his parents think of her? It seemed like a petty concern now but she still couldn't help to think of it.

She needed to do something else then waiting though, she couldn't just sit down. She refused to.
"But I see your point, I guess we need to wait." She sigh. "Think I'm going to take some fresh air."

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena however can and soon will with her hands around Nadia's waist, breathing softly.

I guess it's safe to assume Nadia wakes up first? Otherwise Irena will be arranging some breakfast for herself once the vampire get's up.

[Slii Arhem]

Eastside - Basement

The male monk unlocks the door and swings it open for her. There are steps leading up to what looks like an abandoned hovel, close to the outskirts of Eastside. It's a fair distance from Wellspring Tower, but Kate should be able to find her way back on her own.

The two fanatics confer for a moment once she's gone, douse the forge, and then pack up. By the time anyone investigates they will already be gone.

[Gullara]

[Exbourne Manor - Unoccupied Room]

She probably has bigger things to worry about right now.

Maria nods and lets her go, having nothing more to say.

[Suncrest Manor]

When Irena wakes up she'l find Nadia asleep since it's daytime. Well, sort of asleep. It might be a tad unnerving. She doesn't breathe, her heart doesn't beat, and she doesn't show any other signs of life. She'll be difficult to wake up too.