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Post by Lucky Jack on Apr 20, 2021 18:51:10 GMT -8
Everyone knew Lucky Jack. The Wizened was initially known by just the card rank, the moniker followed with a reputation that the man apparently had a horseshoe up his ass. It was known by most of the Freehold that the first day out of the Hedge, the confused Changeling walked home, found his Fetch at the dinner table, proceeded to blow its head off with the hunting rifle still kept in the garage, and walked into the precinct the next day to find he was a sergeant now. Fall was quick to check the story: simply destroying one's Fetch with no preplanning or caution often ended in disaster. Mundane or otherwise. The Wizened's tale was an exception to the norm. And so Jack remained, an unflappable anchor that had no issues with his transition. It wasn't hard to find his True Name, but no one seemed motivated enough to screw the man over. He kept Lost out of handcuffs, and the mundane away from supernatural dangers: why would you want to mess with a good thing? Despite his rank, he stayed Constable simply because he was good at it — the rise in Seasonal power happening entirely without his permission. Being called to his office came as an unexpected summons. Eis and Maks and Bella didn't recall breaking any rules, so new to the Freehold themselves. Knowing they were coming, the front desk of the Detachment asked them politely to wait while he typed something on his computer. After six minutes, the Wizened appeared and beckoned them to follow him to his office. Lucky Jack's appearance was almost entirely mundane, save the claw scars that raked across his face and the subtle sharp tip to his ears. "Morning," he said, offering his hand to both in turn, He offered coffee as they got themselves situated. "I'm not going to beat around the bush too much. Eis, I have one of your students waiting in an interview room. He's fine; mostly his involvement seems to be an odd coincidence so far. His parents know he's here and he hasn't done anything dangerous or stupid, just trying to help. Anything you can tell us about Leith Moreau to get him to open up would help a lot."
He nods to Bella and Maks, "I need someone friendly and affable for this...delicate situation. And I'm involving the Silent Arrow as fast as I can to make sure everything is kept kosher."Jack produces a letter, with neat but childish writing drifting with the lack of lines to guide the hand. "Leith knocked on our door this morning, wanting to help a little girl he's made friends with. I have some concerns."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2021 2:43:39 GMT -8
Maks cocked a nonexistent eyebrow. His voice perked up, the grinding of the earth coming into being. “Little one is in danger?” A low rumble came from his throat as the Russian thought through the issue. “We will see them home.” Mentally he assessed all present. Bella he had met briefly but not interacted with at the Ostara ceremony, Eis was a newer face, having only seen in passing.
Maks began thinking of plans then immediately discarding them. They would need more details if any sort of plan were to be sought. He nodded internally, his expression flat as always. This was just another mission. And he had yet to fail one from his time in the Red Army.
That record would stand and he would break any who would see him fail.
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Eis
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Post by Eis on Apr 21, 2021 14:06:36 GMT -8
As Eis accepts the handshake, Jack's mantle washes over her - bringing her mind to thoughts of being chased by something lumbering and mechanical. Unsettling. Thankfully, the man's reliable reputation precedes him, and his professionalism and courtesy ward off her initial anxiety. Eis accepts some coffee and finds an empty seat to claim as Jack clues them in.
Shock crosses her frosted features as the reason for their summons is made clear. She nods assent, not wanting to interrupt the man when he turns to address the others: the intimidating giant that carries loss so heavily it touches everyone around him, and the odd and energetic young Gravewright heralded by the familiar sound of leaves rustling together. If the two had, themselves, been police, they could easily portray the 'good cop' and 'bad cop'.
When the letter is produced, Eis looks over it carefully. She's so used to finding spelling and grammatical errors that she takes more time sussing them out than she does the actual body of the message.
"Well..." she says, finally looking up from the letter to each in the room. "Leith is an average student, academically. Well liked, though I rarely see him spend much time with the others in his class... he seems to prefer his music. The students are allowed headphones during lunch and free periods. At an acceptable level..." She interlocks her fingers, pausing for a moment to think. "I believe his family is Haitian. I don't recall his parents' names, though." Then, while it may seem inane, she adds "Leith knows me as Ms. Goodman. Most of my students call me 'Ms. G'."
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Post by Bella on Apr 21, 2021 16:08:49 GMT -8
Bella looks concerned at the thought of a kid missing. Her headphones around her neck and her music down low, she listens intently to both Lucky Jack and Eis's words. She crinkles her nose before talking. " This is indeed a very delicate situation. If I may make a suggestion?" She asks before continuing, glancing between Eis and Lucky Jack. " I think right now at this stage it would be better if Leith meets with Ms.G and myself before we try anything else." Bella says with a small smile before looking over at Maks Tolstoy. " No offence big guy but we don't want this kid thinking they're in trouble, I definitely want you there when we go after whoever or whatever is responsible for the little girl though. I'd love to see you recreate the Bane vs. Batman scene in FULL detail." She finishes with a eerie looking smile on her face.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2021 16:27:53 GMT -8
He had to think on the meaning of the reference Bella had made. Was it one of those....me-mes he had heard so much about?
So much had changed since he returned.
His face remained stony as he grunted. “Fine. I stay.” Internally he was a bit hurt. He loved little ones. Sadly he knew his demeanor in general and size scared most off. Animals were more his speed anyways. “I shall remain outside.”
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Post by Lucky Jack on Apr 21, 2021 17:11:22 GMT -8
Jack blinks, "Oh. No, you misunderstand. I asked Eis for some context on how to better put the kid at ease. He's completely clamming up about who wrote the note. None of you are entering an interrogation room," he made clear.
"I don't think it's appropriate for Leith's school teacher suddenly appearing at a precinct to talk to him makes...their life more complicated?" he offered Bella, gauging her reaction.
"We have his parents' names, Eis. We contacted them when we started asking questions," he repeated, not wanting the Fairest to be under the impression that they just locked her student in a room. The note slid forward idly, using the blunt end of his pen.
"Any thoughts on the letter?" he prompted, looking expectantly to Low Seasons, keepers of all things secret and strange. "I'm concerned one of your students, Eis, is in contact with someone a fraction of his age that seems to think he can be a courier between her and the fairies. Do you have a Bargain with him?"
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Post by Bella on Apr 21, 2021 17:17:58 GMT -8
Bella blinks owlishly before bashfully tapping her index fingers together and looking down. Embarrassed and slightly sad she doesnt get to interrogate someone before looking back up at Lucky Jack. " May i look at the letter again please?" Bella asks politely. " I'd like to look over it once more." She adds.
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Post by Lucky Jack on Apr 21, 2021 17:30:21 GMT -8
Jack gestures at the note he literally just slid forward, "I'm not stopping you, miss? If you're worried about handling the evidence, I can provide some gloves if you don't have your own. Usually you guys got Contracts for this sort of thing, so I wasn't concerned about the original copy."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2021 18:33:35 GMT -8
Maks rolled what constituted his eyes. “So what you want us to do then if not get answers from little one?”
He could be using this time to be at the gardens. While he could be helping, unless it was medically aligned or being the cause of need of medical attention, he was not useful.
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Post by Lucky Jack on Apr 21, 2021 20:33:40 GMT -8
"Well if you aren't concerned about the threat to our society's secrecy...and would rather barge your way into a mundane police environment you have no training in while on camera, Maks, I can absolutely contact your superior and get someone else in that isn't too busy."
Jack's tone flipped to the sharp clarity of the military without raising his voice. He was the Constable of Calefaction and dealt with Ogres of the Chevaliers on the daily. Tolstoy's attitude rubbed the Wizened's danger sense. After the Revenant Crisis, the clockwork soldier had a fallow field of fucks for the Low Season's need to flex.
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Post by Bella on Apr 21, 2021 22:21:00 GMT -8
" Let's take this discussion down a few notches. Kid's are involved and i know that can be a sore spot for several of us. Let's not fight and focus on trying to work together to find the girl okay?" Bella says carefully to Lucky Jack and Maks
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Eis
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Post by Eis on Apr 22, 2021 17:31:37 GMT -8
Bella's initial suggestion, while plausible, would lead to more problems than solutions. Eis is a little relieved when Jack shuts down the idea altogether. Jack is trained for this kind of thing, after all. And while she may care for Leith's well-being, he may never trust her again if she disturbs him here.
"Aside from seeming like a hostage note?" she retorts, almost more to herself than in answer to Jack. The letter would need study, certainly. And she'd get to that. But the next line of questioning puts her on the defensive. "I can assure you I've haven't had any influence on the boy's decisions. The situation is news to me. Disturbing, at that. And had I involved him in some sort of 'arrangement', I'd have a lot more insight than I do now. Which, sadly, isn't much." It's a painful admission for the Fairest. While she certainly has no reason to believe she's inspired Leith's involvement, she can't help but feel a little responsible. As Jack was so kind as to point out: he is her student.
The behemoth further provokes Jack's no-nonsense attitude, suggesting he's not simply a figurehead. Though Bella wastes no time in putting a few words in to wind the situation down. Eis could honestly care less - she can hardly call a good tongue lashing 'tension'. Instead, she focuses on the contents of the letter again.
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Post by Krakenbox on Apr 22, 2021 20:37:28 GMT -8
From Eis' experience in education, she can determine the author to be around a writing level for second or third grade. The fact that Leith is in contact with a child so young is strange, but hopefully she could follow up with the boy once the environment was suitable.
Alarm #1 - This Isla knows about the Freehold, but her information is referring to classical notions of a Seelie and Unseelie paradigm.
Alarm #2 - The unicorn...? Likely a Changeling, and the "mommy" unfortunately could implicate that their Keeper is seeking their return.
Alarm #3 - A child is being guided by hobgoblins and is stating she can't go home until she completes her task. Either it was a ruse, a child has been kidnapped by a hob looking for favour, or this child is a Changeling themselves and this is the saddest iteration of privateering Eis has ever seen.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2021 2:44:40 GMT -8
Maks’ throat rumbled. His voice came forth neutrally. He leaned forward in his seat that barely contained his bulk. “I meant no ill intent. Just inquiring as to what you wish us to do instead. Am not good at delicate.”
No point to breaking the Wizened. Bridges needed built. Not burned.
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Post by Eis on Apr 25, 2021 18:24:34 GMT -8
"Hmm..." Eis muses, after a moment of staring at and digesting the letter's contents. "This Isla knows a thing or two she probably shouldn't. But her knowledge is colored with folklore - as to whether from stories told to her or purposeful misdirection? Nevermind. There are darker implications. The girl is either in league with or indebted to hobs, if the letter is to be believed. And her unicorn?"
She gives Bella and Maks a glance, shaking her head sadly. "May not be a simple hedge beast. I would 'put my money' on the Unicorn being one of our own. I'll leave you to figure out who the 'mommy' is, in this scenario. So, unless either of you have a differing opinion on the letter..." This time her look is pointed, expecting. The men seemed to be finished trading bravado - if that's truly even what that was - which leaves the four of them back at the beginning. Looking for answers.
"Jack. When your interview starts, I'd be interesting in finding out how Leith and Isla even met. And, more importantly, how he made contact with the girl after her apparent imprisonment. I'm in no position to tell you how to do your job, of course. But with our hands being tied, the best I can do is hope the line of questioning covers some of my own questions."
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