Riverside 21: Older than Arkh

[Ashen Lilies]

[Underhill Draconic Branch Museum - Security Room]

Noc acts the passive observer, hanging behind Fayyaad's shoulder. Not looming over it - there's not exactly a lot of looming a 5'3" man can do, but off to the side slightly, nodding thoughtfully as he watches the footage.
"And the cameras had no sign of tampering or damage after?"

[Underhill Draconic Branch Museum - Security Room]

Hmm. This is curious. Fayyaad's first instinct is to assume the person responsible must have had access to the systems somehow. Cut the cameras or remove the footage from the inside. But is it really what happened? He waits for Eudyne to answer Noc, since that answer can shed some light on it... but he expects it to be "no".

[Underhill Draconic Branch Museum - Security Room]

"That's correct," Eudyne replies, sounding irritated. Which isn't very different from how she's sounded this whole time. "The hardware itself doesn't appear to have been touched. But it's not like we brushed for fingerprints."

[Underhill Draconic Branch Museum - Security Room]

"May I take a look at it?" Noc asks. Seems reasonable to get a second set of eyes on the hardware. Especially when those eyes can see several planes past the material.

[Gullara]

[MERC Office]

"Oh. Yeah, you're absolutely right. Though while Jaahlyn might have more information it might be best if we, eh, extract it from her back at the compound. The gorgon lady is listening in to everything we say and I don't think Vax would like that." She taps her chin. "...speaking of Vax. How mad do you think she would be if we invited in our former compound here in the city to a visit to ours? Since I feel like they might have some information on this too."

[MERC Office]

Korrina arches an eyebrow. "What do you think? She hates so many of those people. Is there anyone that stayed behind that she actually respects?"

[5a Violista]

[Looking for Jo – Wildside]

Carmen follows Fade.

Carmen is, for those who don't know, a half-paladin half-succubus half-elf half-OhShe'sPrettyAndILostMyTrainOfThought, who has purple eyes, silver hair, purple ribbons.

"Wow, this place is pretty neat," she says, having never been here before.

[Shadowcaller]

Ms. J Investigation

"Experienced it? Seen it more like it. Always good to have a back-up." Anika pats her staff. "But sure, I will just tell like one or two people who won't tell it to anyone else. Druidic-pledge." She raises one middle finger in what to Jezebel might look like a backwards version of a rather obscene gesture until she glances at it and raises the finger next to it to. "Whoops, force of habit. Been a while since I did the druidic pledge." She let's out a nervous laugh as she for a moment was giving Jezebel the finger.

The druid quickly recovers by making a dismissive gesture towards the ring. "Nah, I'm good. You seriously can go inside people's houses with that thing though? 's a bit creepy." Anika went into people's houses all the time but it would feel weird if they didn't start chasing her out of there once they noticed. "Is it like, magic? Or do you do regular inspections and stuff around here?" Maybe Jezebel was a panty inspector back in her wild days.

[MERC Office]

"'Hate' is a strong word, don't you think? Yes, they, uh, didn't leave on the best terms but Vax is a very loving person once you get to know her. I'm sure she can get over it." A beat.

"...we should still give her a hand with that though. That's what a wife is for after all, to support all her mates endeavors." Even if it was never her endeavor in the first place apparently. "Maybe if we have a neutral negotiator at the table. Someone both Vax and Sekai can trust, they will be able to overcome their differences. Don't you think that's a wonderful idea, Korrina?" Sekai being the leader of the Malechenar compound and their former compound leader.

Lotus Gardens

Jezebel, don't you know all wacky humor has to have a straight man? Cessie would fulfill that role despite not being a man nor particularly straight.

The sorceress nods and lets out a low cough as if to clear her throat. "Of course. I... just wish I had been more prepared. You're quite an unusual woman, Jezebel."

Cessie would have to discuss this later with her. While it was difficult getting used to Jezebel's impulsive behavior it wasn't like she minded it either. It was... refreshing in a way as it wasn't near Harnel's level of impulsiveness either.

"But I regret to inform you that from what I've heard KABAL planted some kind of explosive in MERC's foothold in the city and utterly destroyed it. Killing most people inside no doubt. They've not exactly been trying to keep it a secret either. They're proud that they managed to 'chase MERC out of the city'. That does make MERC unusually trustworthy if we want to work together with them against KABAL or Skyside though."

[Morty]

[Lotus Gardens]

Wenomir proceeds to act as if Jezebel hadn't just changed shape. Cessie no doubt recognizes his "I'm going to ignore this because I have no idea how to address it" tone and expression.

"Trying to 'fix' Skyside had never even occurred me before. It's not a place our skills can help. We could fight its robber-princes, but for any of them we'd take down, another would take their place." He shakes his head. "Tellysandra offered to help us combine our strength with her political influence there. It sounds like it could work. But it also sounds like a trap. MERC is also trying to re-establish themselves there, but I don't know if their goals and ours would necessarily align."

[Reinholdt]

[Underhill Draconic Branch Museum - Security Room]

"May I take a look at it?" Noc asks. Seems reasonable to get a second set of eyes on the hardware. Especially when those eyes can see several planes past the material.

[Underhill Draconic Branch Museum - Security Room -> Crime Scene]

Eudyne snorts and shrugs. "Knock yourself out." She gets on a walkie and tells Rhaz Grurqoz to meet Noc and Fayyaad at the crime scene and to bring the ladder. Eudyne stays behind as they make their way over to where the sword was stolen. They are met by a relatively large gator man that looks like he has to duck a lot through doorways, but has no trouble carrying a ladder one handed. He also seems to be of few words, just nodding at them when they arrive.

Rhaz unlocks the door to the storage room and moves over to a panel within, punching in some numbers with particular slowness, as he has to accurately get each one with a large claw without breaking anything. He doesn't explain why he has to do this though it may be evident with the number of laser sensors littered along the walls and ceiling.

Within is a storage area that could be better lit, and a small ventilation grate provides little relief to the stuffiness of the room. There are a number of wooden crates behind enclosed mesh fencing, a few workbenches towards the middle that look to be used often enough for museum purposes, and finally a small number of glass cases. No doubt these are extra cases for when exhibits need to be changed, but there are a few objects within, held for convenience for when brought to the workbenches frequently. One case in particular, easily seen from where they enter seems to have been where the sword was held. Based both on size and the large hole cut in the side, where someone could have reached in, grabbed the handle and pulled it out. The case itself has a lock, which appears to still be intact.

Heading over to one of the corners of the room, he sets up the ladder for Noc and Fayyaad before stepping out of their way, gingerly. When Noc examines the camera, the most obvious thing of note is the thin layer of dust on the camera. It looks like it hasn't been physically disturbed since the last time maintenance had their way with it. Which had to have been awhile ago. But notable not never. It happened at some point, just not recently.

[Zefir]

[Looking for Jo – Wildside]

Carmen follows Fade.

Carmen is, for those who don't know, a half-paladin half-succubus half-elf half-OhShe'sPrettyAndILostMyTrainOfThought, who has purple eyes, silver hair, purple ribbons.

"Wow, this place is pretty neat," she says, having never been here before.

[Looking for Jo – Wildside]

Fade has no problems with the half succubus thing. His emotionless state makes him ignore it mostly. If she tries to seduce him with her power she might end up dead. He didn't got good experience with that.

"Do you have an idea where she could be?" Fade asks. This place is wild so there isn't a street, just a path and most people here are forest loving people. I'm not sure if the succuby is around.

[5a Violista]

[Looking for Jo – Wildside]

Well, if he's not interested, there's no point in trying to seduce him. That's what she thinks, anyway.

Carmen shakes her head.
"Don't know anything about this place," she says. "So I don't know what's here. Maybe, um...somewhere with flowers? I don't know."

[Zefir]

[Looking for Jo – Wildside]

Fade nods and leads the way. The path leads through a forest path. Looking like some middel european forest simular to those you see in roman times movies. Some Satyr cross their path and each of them seems to either not care about Fade or avoid him, because when they pass him and think he can't see it they smirk and wink at Carmen.

If nothing else happens they reach a clearing which is a big flowers field with many of the last mentiones people playing around. There are a few tents and caves nearby, maybe this is some kind of smaller settelment or just for the humans to stay in.

"Take a look around. Maybe you can find her."

[5a Violista]

[Looking for Jo - Wildside]

Carmen smiles and winks back at the satyr. Unfortunately, she's busy right now so all she can do is give a wave.

"Okay," she tells Fade.

She starts looking around, going towards tents and people to ask them if they've seen a certain someone.

Since Jo isn't actually here...the she only gets negatives and false positives.

[Gullara]

[MERC Office]

"'Hate' is a strong word, don't you think? Yes, they, uh, didn't leave on the best terms but Vax is a very loving person once you get to know her. I'm sure she can get over it." A beat.

"...we should still give her a hand with that though. That's what a wife is for after all, to support all her mates endeavors." Even if it was never her endeavor in the first place apparently. "Maybe if we have a neutral negotiator at the table. Someone both Vax and Sekai can trust, they will be able to overcome their differences. Don't you think that's a wonderful idea, Korrina?" Sekai being the leader of the Malechenar compound and their former compound leader.

[MERC Office]

"You want her to meet with Sekai?" Korrina asks incredulously. Of all people, Vax hates Sekai, and the feeling is almost certainly mutual. She can hardly believe what she's hearing. "There's got to be someone else. Literally anyone else. You know those two will be at each others' throats in seconds."

[Morty]

[Northside Mansion]

The retrieval of the Eye of the Bird didn't really go as the King in Rags had planned, but it suffices for this purpose. The mansion in which Amalungak is being kept is under constant surveillance by the avian aspect of the King. No longer able to command an entire flock of birds, the Eye instead shifts into different forms, all of them obscured and hard to see, observing the building. When the King's servant is moved, the trap will spring.

Near the building, small and craven fey gather in hiding. In trash, sewers, in all the nooks and crannies. Their purpose will be the first line of attack, burying the guards or escort in their bodies to buy time for other servants of the King to arrive. After all, they cannot wait indefinitely, not can they easily hide in the middle of the city. The more powerful servants of the King are hiding closer to the city outskirts, in empty and abandoned places, concealed by the King's power.

[Zefir]

[Looking for Jo - Wildside]

Carmen smiles and winks back at the satyr. Unfortunately, she's busy right now so all she can do is give a wave.

"Okay," she tells Fade.

She starts looking around, going towards tents and people to ask them if they've seen a certain someone.

Since Jo isn't actually here...the she only gets negatives and false positives.

[Looking for Jo - Wildside Flowerfield]

The people here are rather helpful and many tents are ocupied. Most times they don't respond since they are behind a curtain. Many of them invite her to stay and just chat, but none has seen Jo. They say they keep an eye open. Fade doubts they remember that someone asked after they left.

Fade has taken a step aside. It is obviouse people here don't like him much. Maybe because he tried to kill the god most know here or maybe because he has this emotionless vibe.

"I guess no luck for you then?"

[5a Violista]

[Looking for Jo - Wildside Flowerfield]

Carmen shakes her head, and sighs.
"No, no luck," she says. "Same for you, right?"

If she were just here on her own, she would consider sticking around with some of the people here for a few hours.

But,
Instead,
she says to him, "If she were here, someone would've noticed her, I think. So this narrows down where she is, at least. So that's good."

[Shadowcaller]

[MERC Office]

Zhareen rubs the back of her head. "I..." She scratches her chin. "I suppose you're right."

But just as she seems to give up on the idea a light bulb suddenly seem to go off above her head. "You could meet with her, Korrina. Sekai I mean. Vax already have high thoughts about you and this could be your big break. All you need to do is ask what they know about the rat fey that attacked Riverside. We could probably have MERC send them a message and meet them on some neutral location away from the city."

[Elf to the Manor: A MERC adventure]

((I've made a slight change in the plans so now Amalungak is going to be transported directly from MERC's office to Eventide Manor which is Malechenar's headquarters. There he will be 'interrogated' to find out more about who he works for.))

Amalungak has been loaded into the transport and along with a small crew he's to be taken to Eventide manor. Inside the transport with him is a blond, seemingly human, woman in a black suit. She's apparently the Malechenar representative here judging by the embroidered symbol on her jacket, the two-headed elephant. Amalungak have seen it many times before since coming to Riverside.

On the opposite side of her and besides him is a hobgoblin man that's with MERC. He doesn't wear any symbols to show his allegiance but his clothes are of the same color scheme as most mercenaries working for the organization.

"So is it true that elves live for hundreds of years?" The hobgoblin inquires as the vehicle suddenly slows down.
Amalungak arms and legs are chained together and he got some kind of mask over his face which leaves him blind to the world around him.

---

In the driver and passenger seat of the vehicle, which are separated from the prisoner and his guards by a wall, are two other hobgoblins.

"So I, like, told him, 'no way', and he was like- BIRDS!"

"Birds?" Eir's rambling had nearly put Viitesha to sleep but that had been an completely unexpected twist.

She looked around and quickly realized why there was a twist as dozens of black birds were standing in the middle of the street in their way, causing her sister to abruptly slow down.
"...Oh."

Eir leaned out the window of the driver seat and made waving shoing motions at the animals. "SHOO! Get off the road you stupid birds!"

This would of course be the most opportune moment to attack.

[Morty]

[Elf to the Manor: A MERC adventure]

Amalungak refuses to answer. He still would even if a hobgoblin wasn't asking him. He has to maintain some dignity in this situation. Which he does by ignoring the insipid questions of low-ranking minions. Not that it will last him very long. Since he can still hear, he does have some idea of what happens next.

From every nook, cranny and crevice around them, a swarm of misshapen creatures emerges. None of them are bigger than a small dog, some as small as a particularly large rat. They all contain elements of rodents and birds to them, some of different and stranger creatures. Those with wings swoop down from above, those without scurry along the ground, the walls and the trees. They all converge on the truck, crawling all over it, trying to tear into it and get at the people inside. They seem to be clever enough, or perhaps someone impressed it upon them, to target the truck's tires with their claws, beaks and teeth.

[Shadowcaller]

[Elf to the Manor: A MERC adventure]

Despite not answering, Jaedrick continues. "See, Eir once told me that elves spend like forty years as babies and even longer as teenagers, learning everything at this ridiculously slow pace. But even considering that for a second it completely falls apart. How could any race survive that long if they need to spend that long completely defenseless? She argued something about gods or-"

"We're under attack." The woman suddenly interrupts him, her voice devoid of humor and very much to the point. "Go and do your job. I will keep an eye on the prisoner."

Jaedrick pauses and in the silence he can likely hear what Amalungak is now hearing. The noises of a myriad of animals, none of which can usually be found within city limits, just outside the transport. It sounds as they're tearing into it.

"****!" There's the sound of the doors being opened and then gun-fire. "What the- yikes, are you guys okay?!"

---

"We're doing just fine!" Comes Viitesha's sarcastic remark as she attempts to smash the creatures outside her window with her batton. While effective it's not doing nearly enough to reduce their overwhelming numbers.

"**** this." Eir have had enough already and puts the pedal to the metal and starts to speed up. She's planning to just run over the crows and whatever else might be in her way.

[Gullara]

[MERC Office]

Zhareen rubs the back of her head. "I..." She scratches her chin. "I suppose you're right."

But just as she seems to give up on the idea a light bulb suddenly seem to go off above her head. "You could meet with her, Korrina. Sekai I mean. Vax already have high thoughts about you and this could be your big break. All you need to do is ask what they know about the rat fey that attacked Riverside. We could probably have MERC send them a message and meet them on some neutral location away from the city."

[MERC Office]

"It's possible." Not that Korrina seems especially enthused at the prospect. It doesn't help that Vax's opinion of Sekai was fairly easily spread to Korrina. "Though you're sure there's not someone a bit more... friendly in their compound?"

[Shadowcaller]

[MERC Office]

Zhareen had been trying to avoid it but it looked like it couldn't be helped now. "Well, erm, I don't know what their internal power structure looks like now. Sekai is a sure bet, but anyone else... less so. Besides, anyone that was directly involved in the debacle back there is sure to, uh, not be friendly." She scratches her chin.

"There's 'Kai'm' but she might not even have returned to the compound with all the chaos. Especially not with the invasion and all... but now that I think about it we should try to reach out to her anyway. She might be a potential recruit to our new compound if she hasn't returned there. We would need to send a tower call to them though if they're still considered one of us and I don't think we got enough space for that in here." She lets out a little giggle as she gestures around the cramped bathroom.

[Morty]

[Elf to the Manor: A MERC adventure]

When Eir attempts to stomp on the pedal and drive off, some of the small creatures will focus their efforts on her. Their attempts at getting inside become fiercer, heedless of the damage or casualties they sustain in the meantime. They will try to latch themselves into her and tear her throat out, or inflict any other injuries they can. Others relentlessly attack the truck's wheels.

"An attack?" Amalungak smiles, suddenly confident. "Why, I hope you get the situation under control soon. I would hate it if something happened."

[Earl of Purple]

Elf to the Manor: MERC Adventure

From the shadows, a figure coalesces and emerges. He's behind the van at first, striding from the shadows. Mister Sharp is tall and thin, apparently human, if unusually tall at almost seven feet tall, and he's a bit too thin for his height, looking slightly... Stretched. He wears black trousers, ending about an inch above his ankle, and a large black coat, tightly buttoned, with sleeves that also hang short of his wrists, both enhancing the appearance of his height. Both trousers and coat are old, battered and grimy. His coat's collar is pushed up and paired with a red-and-white striped scarf, hiding his skin. His skin is deathly pale, and covered in numerous scars. He also has no hair peeking out from under his battered black fedora, nor does he have eyebrows. His hands are in old leather driver's gloves, and a broken watch is on his left wrist. Between the hat pulled low over his eyes, and the scarf and collar pulled high to his nose, little of his face is visible, though his right eye is a blank white sphere of glass and his left eye has a blood red iris.

He sprints towards the van, reaching into a pocket and pulling out a long and jagged shard of glass. He's approaching the back of the van, as quick as he can, and his stealth ability should prove somewhat helpful. He can't be seen through glass, meaning anyone looking out a window can't see him, nor can he be seen in glass mirrors or on televisions- unless neither the lens of the camera seeing him and the screen he's shown on is made of glass. He'll reach for the door to try and stop Jaedrick from closing it, pulling against the door with slightly enhanced strength.

[Ironsmith]

[Flat Tire] (Open Scene!)

There's a bit of commotion going on by the entrance into Eastside.

The source of this commotion would be a large, hot pink bus, decorated with hearts and jagged text with heavy shadowing. This very same bus, and its occupants, have been making their tour around the Nexus over the past several months, capitalizing on their newfound notoriety to fund the project and get up close and personal with the fans who made this trip possible.

Unfortunately, this bus also had a flat tire, and they had none to spare. They were able to pull off to the side, where they would be out of the way, but all attempts at flagging down passersby had thus far failed; their notoriety didn't translate into a desire to help, apparently. That was probably their fault, in a roundabout way... their branding wasn't exactly conducive to having vocal, public fans, aside from the ones who showed up to their concerts.

Malady, the lead singer of this quartet of succubi, sighs and waits by the road for help from some good samaritan who doesn't mind being seen in the company of curtain demons. She's gone to a little effort to make the notion more palatable; instead of her stage costume, she's dressed in a plain grey hoodie and jeans, so the only immediate giveaway as to her identity is the bus behind her. The others are waiting inside; no sense in making everyone come out into the cold for this.

Not that it seemed to bother her much. When the next batch of cars comes around, she puts on a perky smile and jumps up and down, waving her arms at them in an attempt to get them to slow down long enough to hear her out.

[Shadowcaller]

[Flat Tire] (Open Scene!)

"It appears you're in need of assistance, miss." A voice calls out from nearby.

Yet there's no one around that could have spoken.

But there is a goat. A black goat with rats on it's back as if they were riding it.
Of course, this being the nexus, the goat opens its mouth and speaks again. "I'm no mechanic though, but perhaps there's some other way I can help out?"

Elf to the Manor: MERC Adventure

Jaedrick doesn't attempt to close the door. Instead he pulls up his shotgun and fires two blasts in the super-creepy man's direction, silently praying that non-magical weapons would work against this monster.
Inside the van Amalungak can feel a powerful blow being delivered to the side of his head. Most likely by the Malechenar woman sitting besides him.

But as the shots been fired and Amalungak is punched the vehicle suddenly starts to speed off.

This causes a number of things to happen at once:

1. Jaedrick loses his balance and just manages to hold on by starting to cling to the other still closed door but drops his shotgun in the process. It's now laying on the floor of the truck, just behind the second door.
2. Eir starts to steer off sharply to the left as the creatures start to attack her and loud honks can be heard as other drivers react to her starting to drive up on the pavement. She slows down in an attempt to regain control of the vehicle but that isn't easy with all the critters attacking her.

[Ironsmith]

[Flat Tire]

Malady stares at the goat for a moment, not entirely sure what to make of what she was seeing. A talking animal wasn't the strangest thing she'd seen today, but a talking animal with other animals riding on it...

She wordlessly holds up her phone, snaps a picture, and returns it to her pocket, before she remembers her manners and decides to answer.

"Yes, we could use some help." The succubus begins, her deep voice carrying surprisingly well, even though she speaks in what could be described as a breathy whisper. "I don't suppose you know of anyone who could help with our tire problem? Or maybe the phone number of the local tow company?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Flat Tire]

The goat seems to consider these questions for a moment before replying in the same slightly drawn out tone. "I know someone who could give you a ride and might know a tow company. Let me just..." The goat let's out a whistle which it's rat passengers all immediately react to.

They start to climb down from the goats back by now there's also a cellphone in the goat's mouth. Something which couldn't even have been possible a moment earlier. It drops the cellphone on the ground and presses its mouth against it which seems to be enough to unlock it. Must have goat face recognition?

Whatever the case, the rats now proceed to press the keys on the phone. Actually dialing a number for the goat and even presses "call" for it.

Calling Jim...

"Hey, Jim? Are you... busy right now? I happen to be in Riverside and I came across a couple of ladies that have some car problems. You wouldn't know where they could get help do you?"

[Deathkeeper]

Flat Tire

Jim picks up after two rings.
"Hi Jaahlyn. You sound different over the phone. Uh, I commute so I don't go to a lot of mechanics but I have passed a few while running deliveries. Where are you? Which 'side at least?" comes his voice through the receiver.

[Ironsmith]

[Flat Tire]

Given the fact that the phone is on the ground and not pressed up against the goat's face, it's likely on speakerphone, which is good because Malady would have a hard time being involved in this conversation otherwise.

"We're just outside Eastside." Maladay croons, at exactly the right volume for it to sound like she's whispering it directly into his ear. "A spare tire is all we really need. One of ours suffered from a... blowout." She cringes internally as she says that. Dammit! She didn't mean to make that sound like an innuendo, it just sort of slipped out that way. "My three friends and I would be grateful for any help you could give us."

Aaaand that sounded just ever-so-slightly worse. She hoped she wasn't giving this Jim guy the wrong impression.

[Shadowcaller]

Flat Tire

She's indeed on speaker phone or this conversation wouldn't make much sense!

"On [name and number of street], near the old bathhouse." Jaahlyn adds, if she noticed any of the innuendoes you wouldn't be able to tell on her goat-y face.

She would have added that she was a goat at the moment but then Maladay decided to join into the conversation and she didn't feel she had the room to explain that.

[Deathkeeper]

Flat Tire

"Okay. Go three blocks east and one north and there should be an auto shop. Just get a picture of your wheel so they know what size you need." Jim doesn't know a ton about cars and trucks but he knows that wheels come in different sizes.

[Ironsmith]

[Flat Tire]

Malady nods and does as he says, snapping a quick picture of the busted tire and tapping on the glass of the nearest window. Said window rolls down as a shaggy, perky-faced horned woman pokes her head out. "Hey, Malady! What's going on?"

"We're heading up to a nearby auto shop to get a replacement tire. Tell Euphoria she's in charge while I'm gone."

The newcomer puts her finger to her cheek and grins mischievously. "Ooooor I could be in charge..."

"Mania, no. Not after last time."

"Aw, come on, it'd be f-"

"No. Don't you remember what the fire department said?"

The woman in the window sighs. "Fine, fine, I'll tell her."

"Attagirl. Oh, and Mania..." Malady gives a little smirk. "Put some clothes on. We have a guest."