IC: DH The Purity of Sacrifice

[Bennosuke]

With little more than a knit of her brow, Marcella is able to call on her powers of the warp. She extends her senses out around her, suddenly becoming simultaneously aware of the bodies of vagabonds stretching out in all directions, of the scurrying rodents in the piles of refuse nearby and in the pipes below, and of the presence of an individual in the air ducts above. However, she does not sense any signs of a group waiting in ambush.

The taller thug puts his hands on his hips and throws his head back for a rueful chuckle. His hunched friend catches on, and adds a few laughs for good measures. "What are you gonna do with that primitive thing, catch me a scab for dinner?" he taunts in a high pitched horse-like voice. Still sneering, the ganger addresses Url and says, "Who are these blokes, your new charges? Funniest looking group of Guilders I've ever seen."

Flatly, Url replies, "Yes, these are my guests. Members of the Credit Guild. Now please step aside."

Neither youth makes any move towards the group, but still, neither steps aside.

[Erulasto]

”Is there, by chance, something we can do to assist you gentlemen?” Severine said, stepping up to stand next to their guides. A hand was tucked idly into the folds of her scarlet shield robes beneath the cloak, and closed comfortingly on the butt of her stubb revolver.

Just in case.

”Whether you find our appearances amusing or not, you do not wish – I assume – to impede sanctioned Credit Guild business, do you now?’

Spoiler: OOC

Show

It’s a long shot since Severine is untrained in Intimidate, but here’s hoping for something miraculous.

(1d100)[26] TN a whopping 18!

[dojango]

"Do you know these mooks, Url? Is there any reason we should let them live?" Luis asks Url. Still aiming at crooked-tooth.

[Bennosuke]

Severine's growing discomfort and attempted show of authority only seems to tickle the two youths, who only laugh harder. The taller one says, "Oh, of course not my lady. Our apologies for the discomfort and inconvenience that our very presence has brought you," his words filthy with sarcasm. He performs a theatrical bow before Severine, causing his companion to snicker again.

Url replies to Luis in a voice intentionally loud enough for all to hear. "Don't mind these hooligans. Just a couple of Ezruth's goons in clan Tora," he says, practically spitting the last words as if they sat sour on his tongue.

The tall gangster swoons as if hurt by Url's words, and the crooked one only chuckles harder.

[dojango]

Luis relaxes his drawn bow, and stows the arrow back in his quiver. "Well, grox****. The very clan we're supposed ta make a deal with. Well, why dintcha say so, stead a lookin' like footpads."

[Morovir]

Xerros-926 drew himself up to his full height, and tightened his grip on his lascarbine.

"Statement: If (meatbags=contacts) -> get on with it / else -> kill protocol."

[Wyndeward]

Arl kept his tongue still, watching the two youths for any sign of overt hostility, keeping his throwing knife hidden in his right hand.

[Bennosuke]

Luis' statement quickly silences the laughter of the two gangers. The taller, more vocal one simply raises a concerned eyebrow, but his companion steps forward, craning his neck at Luis to say, "You have business with us? Oh really? Like are you gonna give us money or something?" There is an excited, almost buffoonish grin on his pimply face, his baby blue eyes innocent with hope.

[dojango]

"Hah! Not you, yer clan boss. The Credit Guild is thinkin' of a..." there is a pause as Luis tries to remember what he was told the Credit Guild offered. "A.. a spinning line of credit? Like, if he needs a bunch of cash up front to expand his turf, he gets it and then pays us back with the some of stuff he gets from attackin' the other gangs. So we're supposed ta talk to him, take his measure of what he needs, and if he wants to do business, well, things could be lookin' up for the clan."

[Bennosuke]

Luis' words seem to spark a fire of naive excitement in the eyes of both of the gangers. Innocently, the hunched one says to his companion, "Huh, you'd think that would be more an offer to Clan Sabay."

The taller one brings a sudden fist down on his friend's head, frustration marring his already ugly face. "I'm certain the Guilders know what they are talking about. And I'm sure Boss Ezruth would be interested in the buckets of thrones that they are offering. I'm sure he'd even reward the men who brought it to his attention." This seems to make sense to the hunched one, who nods furiously in approval.

The tall one turns his attention back to the acolytes, a mask of a grin spread across his oily face and says, "Well then, I hope our hospitality has been so far... appreciated... and the like." He gives another theatrical bow and this time says sweetly, "Bail Shortstick at your service. I would be happy to make introductions for you with our employer, Boss Ezruth."

Url and his son Zeik are both now looking at Luis and the acolytes with uncomfortable confusion.

[Wyndeward]

Luis' words seem to spark a fire of naive excitement in the eyes of both of the gangers. Innocently, the hunched one says to his companion, "Huh, you'd think that would be more an offer to Clan Sabay."

The taller one brings a sudden fist down on his friend's head, frustration marring his already ugly face. "I'm certain the Guilders know what they are talking about. And I'm sure Boss Ezruth would be interested in the buckets of thrones that they are offering. I'm sure he'd even reward the men who brought it to his attention." This seems to make sense to the hunched one, who nods furiously in approval.

The tall one turns his attention back to the acolytes, a mask of a grin spread across his oily face and says, "Well then, I hope our hospitality has been so far... appreciated... and the like." He gives another theatrical bow and this time says sweetly, "Bail Shortstick at your service. I would be happy to make introductions for you with our employer, Boss Ezruth."

Url and his son Zeik are both now looking at Luis and the acolytes with uncomfortable confusion.

Arl's eyebrows rose an eighth of an inch and he cringed inwardly. There was obviously some tension between Url and the youths and this revelation had the potential to blow up in their faces.

[dojango]

Luis chuckles. "Url, you didn't think we was here for a pleasant visit... although the Magos did want to meet up with a friend... No, we're here on business. Guild business. We'd thought we might take a few hours to get some work done, but this meeting is a chance to get straight to work..." Luis turns back to the other acolytes. "Shall we go visit the bossman with these lads, or did you still have some work to do beforehand?"

[Erulasto]

”I would not object to finding our domicile, just to have it taken care of. I would not wish to impinge upon our host and his son’s hospitality by ferrying them into a proverbial beast-den.” Severine said cautiously, ”Perhaps setting up a meeting with this Ezruth would be more appropriate than a meeting now?”

[BananaPhone]

Marcella



Marcella watched from behind as the situation went from tense, to defused, all by the promise of money.

Internally sighing, and easing the grip of her right hand from the handle of her pistol inside her coat, Marcella straightened herself up a bit to look over the shoulder of those in front of her, listening in to the conversation and being more at ease now that it didn't seem like there'd be a shoot-out.

[Bennosuke]

Url nods his head with Severine's words. "I tink the lady Guildmember speaks a lick o' sense. I ain't escorting you to Ezruth's den, and I'm sure you want to put your belongings away first."

[dojango]

"And it would be incredibly rude to show up unannounced. Yes. Tell yer boss that members of the credit guild are requestin' the honor of a meeting. We'll meet at a place of his choosin' in say, on daycycle's time. We can meet back here then and youse can guide us to the meetspot, OK?"

[Bennosuke]

The taller one's lips turn up in a wicked grin and he says, "Don't worry, we know where you all will be stayin'. We'll come by your hab this afternoon, at >>>, to pick you up." With that he turns to his hunched companion and says, "Well Leetus, shall we be a goin'?" The hunched one nods his head, and after another theatrical bow, the pair make their way past the acolytes, locking eyes and winking or sneering at each one as they pass.

Once out of earshot Url says, "You's best be careful with them Tora. Nasty little buggers they's is."

[Wyndeward]

The taller one's lips turn up in a wicked grin and he says, "Don't worry, we know where you all will be stayin'. We'll come by your hab this afternoon, at >>>, to pick you up." With that he turns to his hunched companion and says, "Well Leetus, shall we be a goin'?" The hunched one nods his head, and after another theatrical bow, the pair make their way past the acolytes, locking eyes and winking or sneering at each one as they pass.

Once out of earshot Url says, "You's best be careful with them Tora. Nasty little buggers they's is."

Arl nodded. "They certainly seem the type. With that, Arl replaced the throwing knife back into its concealed sheath.

[Erulasto]

Severine waited until the two gangers were out of sight before loosening her grip on the butt of her pistol hidden beneath her robe and cloak.

”Certainly. Now then….” Severine said to Url and his son, ”Perhaps it would be best if we continued on our way?”

[Bennosuke]

Url nods his head in agreement, and slaps the back of his son's head to draw Zeik's attention away from the path the two gangers had just departed down. "Let's get going then. It won't be that much farther."

The guide leads the acolytes through winding corridors that twist and split and seem to double back on themselves. It gets colder and colder as they travel deeper, and you get the sense that the roads are sloped further downwards. The halls are filled with more refuse and sleeping vagabonds. An occasional small bone can be discovered among the garbage, often stripped of all flesh, yellowed and dirty. The corridors are near silent, except for the echoing foot falls of the acolytes, and the occasional incomprehensible moans of the homeless who make their beds in this labyrinth.

Finally, Url leads the group through a passageway that opens up into a much larger space. The ceiling here is tall enough to allow for several two and even three story makeshift habs; scrapped together with large sheets of metal and ferrocrete, and sheets of decomposing canvas. The buildings are lined up to make small street blocks, each one maybe four or five habs long. "This be Hex BF3," Url says matter of factly, "Almost there."

The streets are near empty, except for the occasional anxious looking underhiver, dressed in a filthy motley of rags and furs, their breath creating clouds of frost in the air. Url and Zeik lead the acolytes down several blocks till they get to a larger, more stable looking hab unit, made of solidly constructed ferrocrete and plastic, and reaching up to a second story. Url rests his shotgun on his shoulder as he makes his way up to the door and says, "This be home." He ushers the Acolytes inside.

The hab is dingy and poorly decorated with plastic furniture and a few cracked frames of Imperial Blessings. There is space for each acolyte to have their own bedroom; little more than a cot on the floor with a small closet to store belongings. Url invites the acolytes to make themselves at home, and asks if there is anything he can assist with. He eyes Xerros nervously, and tells him that each room does have a small power outlet, in case he needs to charge himself...or whatever.

[Wyndeward]

The hab is dingy and poorly decorated with plastic furniture and a few cracked frames of Imperial Blessings. There is space for each acolyte to have their own bedroom; little more than a cot on the floor with a small closet to store belongings. Url invites the acolytes to make themselves at home, and asks if there is anything he can assist with. He eyes Xerros nervously, and tells him that each room does have a small power outlet, in case he needs to charge himself...or whatever.

Arl carefully sets his bag down on the floor and looks at Url. "Thank you for your hospitality. What was that encounter with the two from Clan Tora about, at least before our compatriot told them of our business? They seemed... well, malevolent isn't the right word, but there was definitely some tension between you and the two clanners." As he speaks, he opens his military hold-all and withdraws his rifle. "I'd like to know what we of the Guild have gotten ourselves into, if you don't mind."

[Bennosuke]

"Just some thugs of Clan Tora," Url's words are sour with disdain. "Ain't no laws down here. Ain't no Enforcers except thems that guard the railway. So most of the youths run with various gangs, Tora being one of the largest. Georgy and Leetus are just a pair of muscle who runs with Tora. They's mostly harmless, Leetus is probably too stupid to be much harm to anyone. But still, they carry weapons, and have the power of their clan behind them. If you'se is really here to do business with Clan Tora, I'd be careful. Ezruth is a shrewd and dangerous man, and he has the youths that make up his gang wrapped around his little finger."

[dojango]

"Thank you for that warning," says Luis. "If Clan Tora were harmless than the Credit Guild would have no use for them, eh? Let us say he is an opportunity that the Guild is looking into. Now, as you say, he is one of many gangs. You would know better than us, what of the other major players down here? Rumors of a war between Clan Tora and Clan Sabay are causing some concern... what can you tell us of Clan Sabay and their bossman?"

[Morovir]

Looking blankly at the cot, Xerros-926 inclines his head genially at Url upon his mention of the power outlet. He lays his wargear gently on the bed, brushing it gently, before discreetly pulling a wire from his back and plugging it into the outlet. Standing beside the bed, the light in his eyes dims.

[Bennosuke]

Url shrugs but nods his head in the affirmative with Luis. "Clan Sabay and Clan Tora are definitely two o' the biggest gangs 'round here," he says, "though there is also Clan Raptore. Sabay and Tora have been goin' at it for the last couple o' years. Though Sabay is the smaller clan, they've been picking off the Tora o' late, claiming more and more territory in the underhives as their own. Violence and crime is only gettin' worse, and it's gettin' harder an' harder to stay safe. Clan Sabay is run by Boss Half Face. He's young and hungry, and seems to be able to supply his boys with weapons that have no place bein in the underhive."

[BananaPhone]

Marcella


Marcella followed along at the centre of the group, ostensibly as the most harmless among all those present, her youthful, bright face hardly the grizzled visage of a hardened trooper or mechanical wonder of her compatriots. Still, the Psyker considered her surroundings as she walked, her mind wandering back to her early days upon the Sevastapol that orbited high above the planet. To call the environments of the two places similar would be the words of a cynical man, as claustrophobia was their only real overlapping characteristic. Whereas here was seemingly the pit unto which all the refuse from above sunk down towards and coagulated upon, the Sevastapol had clean hallways, habitats and good order. As a munitions satellite, a certain degree of sanitation and living standards was expected, and for all of its faults that accompanied Marcella today, she found herself grateful that she had been birthed within that floating factory as opposed to this wretched pit of humanity's waste.

Was this what the Emperor had in mind all those millennia ago? Was this part of his plan? Such thoughts were borderline heretical, but they peeked into Marcella's consciousness nonetheless as she assessed the fetid situation around her.

"Maybe it is his plan..." she muttered to herself, "maybe his eye is on us all and the last will be first when his Light is all throughout the stars..." Her murmurings were barely audible above the noisy environment.

When the group arrived at their habitat, Marcella claimed the most little room that was furthest from the door, where she ensured to have a Holy symbol present for when she would later meditate upon their situation.

Should she pursue introspection? "Yes, yes," that would be wise, "I should", after-all, "introspection" is helpful, sometimes even "necessary in all things", Marc muttered to herself.

[Erulasto]

"Weapons with no place in the Underhive? That could mean a great many different things, sir. Could you elaborate? What have you heard?" Severine asked sharply, though not unkindly as she stowed her possessions. The Sister Dialogous kept only her pistol and stave, and a single data-slate for keeping records.

[Bennosuke]

Url raises an eyebrow at Marcella, who had been muttering to herself through the corridors, and who had persisted into the hab. "Yous okay girl?" he asks with a raised eyebrow.

To Severine's question he says bluntly, "Well most erethin' is 'ard to come by down 'ere. The gangers stock up on weapons, but most have nothin' better en a revolver o' a hand cannon. But some of the Sabay boys have rifles and las guns."

[Wyndeward]

Url raises an eyebrow at Marcella, who had been muttering to herself through the corridors, and who had persisted into the hab. "Yous okay girl?" he asks with a raised eyebrow.

To Severine's question he says bluntly, "Well most erethin' is 'ard to come by down 'ere. The gangers stock up on weapons, but most have nothin' better en a revolver o' a hand cannon. But some of the Sabay boys have rifles and las guns."

"Are we talking just a few rifles and las guns or something more sinister? I could see one of the larger players being able to get a few, just as they get their snub pistols. But if it is more than the odd one, there may be something afoot... weapons cost money, as a rule, and I don't see a way that any of the clans generate the kind of Thrones for a wholesale upgrade. Besides, fighting is bad business and bad for business. With that, Arl began cleaning his rifle, careful not to jostle the sighting scope.

[BananaPhone]

Marcella


When questioned, Marcella looks up and turns her head as if unsure of the origination of her distraction. Spotting Url and his patience for a question, Marcella smiled, a toothy, goofy smile.

"All good here, yes," she nodded.