|
|
Post by Krakenbox on Feb 27, 2022 10:47:26 GMT -8
There was another shout from inside the building as someone fell down the stairwell from Croupier's ice. As the Fairest came down from the Contract, he took in his bearings and spotted the moving form of Aster searching for an optimal route, he felt something small bump into his leg and cling to his calf. A child in a dirty dress and baby's breathe threaded through her hair blinked up at him, looking slightly annoyed as her bare feet refused to gain traction on the ice. She seemed lucid compared to the other mortals. "Do you know where he went?" she asked sheepishly, like the entire situation was embarrassing and she just wanted to go home. From her angle, Aster could see the small mundie engaging with Croupier. With the surge of civilian presence, the viper wondered how long it would be before her own hunting party spotted her in the fray. |
|
|
|
Post by Aster Blau on Feb 27, 2022 12:26:10 GMT -8
Aster watched as her hunch was proven correct with would-be killers traversing the steps only to be subjected to unseen explosions. Aster sure as hell wasn't going to follow and assess the damage. That wasn't what she was here to do and, more so, the risks of further traps made the idea less than ideal.
She wasn't sure where the fuck Tanner was either, but that didn't matter anymore. The situation was getting out of hand, Aster herself looked awful and the pain she was still feeling was extraordinary. More than that, Gavin's new contact, Miller, seemed intent on pushing the conflict with the hunters, unleashing a torrent of ice around him. Aster didn't dare approach that for fear that she would be caught in the blizzard itself. And where was Gavin? For the first time that night, fear gripped the Viper as she scrambled for a solution in her brain. Her breath quickened with her anxiety.
Stop.
A rare voice of human reason, the remnants of the Girl-Before, rang in Aster's mind. The Viper nearly hadn't heard it in the din of the chaos. Seizing the rare recognition of the Beast, the voice spoke again.
Think.
The situation was beyond Aster's ability to fight. She couldn't pursue the path of Tanner up the steps and she couldn't back up Miller without risk of getting caught in the literal icy storm of his rage. That also lent another factor to the mix. Miller had exposed a portion of his true nature and the risk that one of these assholes would get away was real high. Aster was also wounded... Aster could do nothing here without putting her life at risk and, with Tanner gone and Gavin likely in pursuit, the Viper wasn't likely to risk death without a good reason. Spears weren't remembered if they died.
On a rare reach to the other side of the fence, Aster elected to call Lucky Jack. Asking Loki would have been preferred, but he had Cartel ties and his presence could force a war between Green Nation and the Cartel if any Greenies died by his chains. Hunkering down behind a nearby wall, Aster would dial the number and call.
Aster spotted the mundie, her lucidity at the situation being disconcerting at best. With a little luck and a lot of hope, maybe someone would pick up. This situation was beyond what she was capable of handling.
|
|
|
|
Post by Croupier on Feb 27, 2022 20:44:58 GMT -8
Where the hell did this kid come from?!
Dan's attention turned from the child to his legs, back to the hunters who were slipping and trying to regain their balance, and then back to the child at his feet. He had not seen her, much less heard her approach. And more distressing was the fact she was clinging to his leg!
To say things had not been going good was a bit of an understatement. All this time, Dan had been reacting and following, but now the first time he took the initiative was... not going so well. The hunters were starting to regain their balance, and Dan had nowhere to run with the weight on his leg. Dan didn't know if he had it in him to throw down another Elemental Fury the way he had before.
Taking one more look at the child, a question gnawed at his mind. The same question that had rung in his mind since he saw her.
He hesitated for a moment, and then slowly led a hand down to touch the girl's hair, brushing it gently off to the side. Dan put on his best smile and concentrated on the touch, feeling the light in his fingers probe the girl's mind, "What do you want, kid?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucky Jack on Feb 28, 2022 12:46:16 GMT -8
"Aster? What's your status?" Jack hurriedly asked before the Venombite could speak. He had the previous message from Gavin about the shots being fired and hunters involved. "I'm getting reports of a riot in south Paradise?"
Had someone started Bedlam?
She was quiet as a group thundered past, shouting and coordinating as they looked for designated targets with snippets of description that matched Aster, Tanner, and Gavin.
--
The kid wrinkled her nose and bent away from the man touching her hair, but remain latched.
"Where's the man you were chasing?" she repeated. "It's okay, I know you have to keep secrets." Her voice dropped in a conspiratorial manner as she pulled Croupier's arm towards her so he would bend to listen. "Lots of fairies are helping me right now."
|
|
|
|
Post by Aster Blau on Feb 28, 2022 13:20:13 GMT -8
Aster cleared her throat, doing her best that keep her voice low and clear after waiting a beat for the group to thunder past.
"Been hit good, turns out drugged out bikers can get lucky," she offered, the pain evident as she forced the words out in a labored breath.
"Yeah, something like that. They're looking for a snake, a rabbit, and a bird, if you get me. They want blood, mine and Tanner's I'd wager," she said, "Little voice told me to make rabbit past tense, but I got through it. Got someone new with us too, friend of Gavin's in Spring... He, uh, popped a Contract when the mundies started attacking each other, but that ain't even the worst part. There's a kid there talking to him, completely unbothered."
Aster stopped for a moment, taking the chance to take a breath.
"It's... bad, Jack," she said, "No eyes on Gavin or Tanner, a riot, and a breach."
|
|
|
|
Post by Croupier on Feb 28, 2022 20:37:53 GMT -8
The child's strength took Dan by surprise as she tried to pull him down. The way she spoke, the eerie calmness, and the way she further wrapped herself around Dan sent a chill up his spine.
What a fucking thrill!
The line about fairies kicked Dan's survival instincts into overdrive. Everything about the girl became crystal clear, and all Dan wanted to do right now was get out of her grip and put some distance between them. Without a word to her, Dan's free hand came up to wrench his captive wrist from her hold. His feet coiled, ready to spring away once contact was broken and put at least some space between them. By then, maybe Dan's internal Fight or Flight debate would have a clear winner.
|
|
|
|
Post by Krakenbox on Feb 28, 2022 22:51:54 GMT -8
The kid hadn't exactly had Dan in a grip, with just a light tug to get him to stoop a bit to her level; nothing indicating she was particularly strong. His hand flies free without any resistance other than surprise as the kid landed on her butt.
She blinked at the adult, confusion stark on her face from being kicked off that quickly crumpled to stinging frustration as her face turned red. She scooted a bit away from Croupier, tears welling as she tucked her knees defensively.
"Ow!" she mumbled into her legs, on the edge of a panicked meltdown. "What did I do?"
He wasn't acting like the others who had offered her help in her ludicrous quest for freedom, and she slotted this particular fairy into the same category as other adults who had meant her harm in her two years of wandering.
|
|
|
|
Post by Croupier on Mar 1, 2022 15:45:15 GMT -8
Dan had not expected to break free of her with so little resistance. What took him even more by surprise was the way she collapsed like a doll and curled up, sobbing in confusion and pain. Maybe he had misread the situation? Could this little girl really be what she looked like?
Shaking his head to dispel the thoughts, Dan focused his mind back on the task of getting out of here. He could not see Aster or Gavin - for all he knew, they were either well above him chasing Tanner, or dead - so he began thinking of his own survival. Taking a step back onto the ice, Dan dipped down low and put his hand on the slick icy surface that surrounded him. He thought to make use of another contract, but would that just make the situation worse?
To make matters worse, the scent of fear that wafted off the little girl was... intoxicating?
"Who are you?" he asked the little girl, hoping his tone came off more caring than threatening.
|
|
|
|
Post by Aster Blau on Mar 1, 2022 16:46:54 GMT -8
Aster's eyes widen.
"Jack... that little girl I just mentioned? She says she's looking for Tanner.... and that fairies are helping her," Aster relayed, a noticeable edge creeping into her tone.
A little girl wandering up to the Fairest while he was in the middle of a dangerous contract without a care in the world was disconcerting enough. However, her indication to knowing his true face and her pursuit of Tanner suggested something even darker.
Either this girl had a hardened Mask or she was among the servants of Them. Given the situation and her references to fairies, Aster's reactionary nature was beginning to think the latter was more likely.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucky Jack on Mar 1, 2022 23:26:54 GMT -8
The Constable of Calefaction had Aster on speaker while she heard him making calls in the background, asking a clarifying detail here and there. She could gather that some major resources were being deployed across the Courts to start covering potential CCTV leaks, crack down on social media, and lock down the block with incoming forces to scatter the aggressive humans under the protocol of the Riot Act.
The Wizened blinked at the additional detail as the viper sounded disturbed, trying to assign meaning among the constant fires and emergencies that were rampant with the Dream Plague. "Um-" he pinched his brow, remembering the odd letter that teenager had dropped off on behalf of a child. The group had reported that they failed to find her and were concerned she was a victim of the Hobgoblins. After the chaos with Maks attacking his precinct and dying in the exchange, and Leith's Changeling teacher being unable to produce a lead with another Autumn scholar tracking her whereabouts, he had shelved the debacle as another quiet tragedy among many. "Has anyone Kenned her? Is she a Hob, or a Changeling? Has she used anything that looks like a Contract?"
He sighed as he muted himself to recount a Durance detail and evoke the Shield before another fucked up surprise threatened to discombobulate him during an emergency. Tapping the receiver and listening to Aster, he added that distance was preferred and to not interact with her.
"Do you have any Contracts to ghost, or are you a sitting duck? ...Can Croupier disengage?" He wasn't looking to encourage the Summer to abandon one of the newer, inexperienced Springs, but the woman was shot to bits and engaging a supernatural was asking for a needless sacrifice when the Fairest could just leg it.
He had a sneaking suspicion Croupier's infamous Seeming compulsion would get in the way of the Emerald acting with an ounce of caution.
|
|
|
|
Post by Krakenbox on Mar 1, 2022 23:39:44 GMT -8
As the conversation between Aster and Jack was happening, the kid glared from over her knees,
"Isla P., but you're a stranger," she counter-argued. She nervously fiddled with the necklace down her shirt as she spared a glance for a few of the adults taking some mild notice in the exchange; still trying to process the berserk rage that have overcome them and the instinct to keep looking.
Aster could hear a few men among the confused mob were asking about a gaunt and shot up woman and a ginger guy with an Australian accent. The fringe group that had attacked the bikers earlier were starting to enter the yard and get into new confrontations among one another.
"You were chasing him," she pointed out, "Then you yelled, and made everyone slip. I'm not dumb."
|
|
|
|
Post by Croupier on Mar 2, 2022 15:52:10 GMT -8
Dan's eyes darted from the little girl to the group, and then back to the girl again. Tension built in his joints, locking them with pent-up energy that was sure to explode once the springs were released. But something held him in place. As loud as one voice in the back of his mind was screaming at Dan to get away from the girl and run like hell... another one, much kinder and softer, told him this girl needed help.
Licking his dry lips, Dan started to take a step back, his eyes still on Isla P. "Well Isla... I don't think he's here anymore... so why don't we go looking somewhere else for him?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Aster Blau on Mar 4, 2022 13:21:02 GMT -8
From her hidden spot, the azure gaze of the Viper watched the conversation between the strange girl and Croupier, digesting the words said as she kept herself small.
"Don't know. If she's one of us I can't see a Mien. She seems comfortable with our gifts though," she offers, then the girl offers her name, "Her name is Isla P. Small, young, and blonde if that helps."
Lucky Jack was in the Police Department. If there were any missing children that matched the description, he could probably pinpoint given time.
"I got something. I can get out if you say the word," Aster answers. Nevertread was a useful tool in her profession. A pause followed as Jack inquired about Croupier's ability to leave. "I... don't think he wants to?" mused the Viper, "Getting the feeling he's trying to steer her elsewhere. Says he'll take her to look for Tanner somewhere else."
Then came the nearby rumblings of her hunters.
"Can't stay hidden out here much longer. I need to fight or jet," Aster whispered. Time was short, but Aster didn't feel confident to make the call herself to leave. If dealing with this girl was a priority, Aster would need to oblige by the needs of the Freehold and take the risk. Otherwise, the serpent felt she had danced enough for one night and would try and slip away
|
|
|
|
Post by Krakenbox on Mar 6, 2022 22:13:10 GMT -8
"Yep, she was involved with us before. Reached out directly to the precinct with God knows what lead, but the team couldn't recover her from some Hobgoblins. If Croupier isn't bleeding from the ears, you need to get out of there. From Summer boot camp, he's more than capable of holding his own in a fight. I'll pull his cell number from someone who would know it," the Wizened instructed, understanding the Iron Beast likely needed a proper overview to be emotionally ready to leave the Fairest.
"PD will be rolling in sooner than later. If he's buying time and redirecting let him lean into his talents. Live another day, soldier."
--
"Where is he?" she grunted, staying put as she glowered over her knees. "I'm not allowed to leave until I know. I want to go home, I've missed two Christmas' already."
|
|
|
|
Post by Croupier on Mar 7, 2022 20:53:51 GMT -8
Dan almost laughed at the tantrum Isla was building up to. Any minute now he was expected her to start holding her breath until he gave the little girl what she wanted.
Glancing up the stairs, passed the mundanes and tracing the faint tendril of magic binding his senses to Tanner, Dan could still feel the Beast's presence. It was faint, but lingered on like the memory of a dream.
Time was running out for Dan to linger on, though. He needed to get away from the girl, get away from those guys, and get away from this whole place with his skin intact.
What harm could there be? he mused, remembering how easy it was to knock the little girl back.
Plastering his kindest smile, Dan turned back to Isla, "You want to know where he is? He's somewhere in the Hedge, right now. Don't think he's moving, so if you go now, you might just catch him."
|
|
