Menaces and Mysteries: A Fallen London RP (closed, started)

[IFS]

"I'm actually looking for a new trophy, Unfinished Man. You'll do nicely. Excellent! I don't think I've ever had such an exciting hunt! If this is what I have to expect from working with the Department, I should have joined them far earlier!"

"IN LIFE OR DEATH I WILL BE NO MAN'S POSSESSION!" the Unfinished man declared angrily at Edward's taunt, the blast from Victoria twisted one of his legs into a position that would have looked horribly mangled on a normal man but the unfinished seemed barely pained by the blow even as more red light poured from the wound.

As the light touched Edward's skin he felt as though he was burning, though it left no mark, even the brief glimpse he got before diving behind cover left painful images of fire in his mind, one could only imagine what it was like to play host to the source of such pain. Thomas caught a smaller fraction of the light, as the unfinished was faced away from him, but it burned all the same. Charging forward as if ignorant of his wounds the unfinished threw a powerful but clumsy blow at the pew, glancing Edward and sending the large man sprawling, though the pew absorbed the worst of the blow. Making such a strike had not been good for the unfinished injured leg either which had only twisted further, causing the clay man significant difficulties in standing.

The spirifers caught the glance Thomas threw at them and hesitantly lowered their guns. "Let the devils have 'em" one of them whispered to the other, who replied "they like their hunts to run for 'em though..." As they spoke the two backed steadily away from Thomas, though they hadn't quite turned to run just yet.

The trio of devils reached Viktor, each of them looking some mixture of curious and excited for the hunt he had brought them.

The short one spoke first "Oh I can hear gunshots already, this will be exciting," he said, rubbing his hands together eagerly.

The deviless smiled more mysteriously "We will have to be mindful of the horses, but it does seem you have brought us a feast of prey," she turned to look directly at Viktor "And so soon after we made the bargain, we will have to keep you in mind in the future, should we require service."

The tall devil spoke last "Well done, your debt is paid in full and the Brass Embassy extends its thanks for keeping your end of the bargain," turning to the others he allowed himself a devilish grin for a brief moment before speaking "Onwards! The hunt awaits!"

With that the trio rode on their powerful steeds, vanishing into the mist their powerful hoofbeats heralding their imminent arrival to those at the temple. Even now their shadows were becoming visible through the mist, silhouetting them as if their shadows were cast by flame.

 

[DarkRawen]

"Oh my word...Thomas, could you please apprehend that man? Then see if our dear friend is alright. I'll try to bind and collect these malcontents as best I can, but I can only manage that if they're all unconscious."

As the man spoke, the remaining spirifers started running away. "I don't think that will be necessary," he commented, as the last of them disappeared into the fog. "They've been taken care of, scienc---" He realized that the other had called him by his name.

This bloke was called Aidan, wasn't he?

Something like that. He could at least attempt to return the favour.

"Aidan. I don't think tying them up will be useful either, we've got other problems. Bloody Devils, of all things to run into."

The sound of hooves getting louder made it clear that the temple really was their target, for whatever reason. Thomas was sure there was some missing pieces in all of this, someone's intention or whatever, but he didn't dwell on it, just growled, like an animal not intending to back down.

"If something happens, you run," he told the scientist, and, by extension, the others there. The shadows of the devils approaching could be seen now. "Be smart about it, though, else they might just chase after you for sport." He took out the knife, and held it in his left hand, and bent down and got the rat-work derringer for his left. "And these bastards don't die."

Thomas really didn't want to be in a situation like this, it was always a good idea to avoid a fight with devils. However, a promise was a promise, and, if he first made one of those, he kept it.

 

[sage42]

Priscilla's eyes widened and her quickly began looking back and forth when she heard the horn and the spirifers began to flee. Devils?! Here?! Ohhh that's not good, I knew the corpse was up to something! I promise you corpse if I survive this you are going to pay! She didn't how or why Viktor had summoned the devils, or even if he actually had. But he must have. Why else would he have been so eager to lead the three non-combatant people of their group into the temple, if not as bait.

Now is no time to wonder Priscilla! You need to hide before the devils get here! She barely noticed when Thomas arrived and began to speak with Aidan. She did however notice him drawing his weapons. What is that ignoramus thinking! Surely even he isn't that stupid!? Priscilla just stared for a second before ducking behind a large piece of rubble that must have fallen off the temple. She doubted the mixture Aidan had come up with would work on Devils, so she tucked it away in her purse. She clutched her cane, more out of fear than for defense. Hopefully if the devils found her she could strike a deal with them, if not.......well, having your soul taken was all the rage among the upper circles now-a-days. Maybe it would help in the long run.

 

[Quintley]

All in all, things weren't going too well, Nigel decided. Edward had apparently gone mad with blood-lust inside the temple, half of the others were nowhere to be seen, somebody had summoned the apocalypse, and now its hands were bleeding. Had it the ability to speak, Nigel would quite possibly have said "bother". As it was, it had to settle for a damp-sounding sigh.

"If anything happens, you run."

Well, one good thing that could be said about all this is that Thomas was now acting rather civil. Bordering on considerate, even. Be a shame to let that go to waste. Nigel stood a few paces to the side of Thomas, making sure that it would be out of close-combat range.
It rummaged around the pockets of its jacket, looking for the Ministry letter of commission that they'd been given at the meeting. Perhaps they'd be able to convince the devils that there would likely be political consequences of hunting down the lot of them. Maybe it would be completely useless. Either way, Nigel would have the slight satisfaction of knowing that its brutal and unnecessary death would probably be a minor inconvenience to somebody else.
Actually, it didn't seem like much of a fair exchange. Nigel tried not to think about it too much.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

Edward M. Cutter, Esq.​

The hunter didn't even notice as Thomas screamed at him for his taunts and the excitement he had at the prospect of going up against a party of devils. Even if he had, he wouldn't have acknowledged them. The thug didn't understand what it was like to have the kind of thrill of not only hunting but being hunted gave. Let those with a weak stomach and mild temperament go to hunt deer or pheasant. It was true men that hunted something that could put up a real struggle. A fair fight was all the more alluring for it's danger.

The Unfinished Man continued to barrel forward despite the two slugs that Edward had shot through one leg, though it had twisted gruesomely and let out a burning red light that he had to avoid. It seemed the souls it consumed really didn't agree with it, especially if they were the source of that light.

The fact that it hadn't so much as slowed down was something Edward had to admire, but when it closed the distance he only had time to try and dive out of the way of his swipe. Unfortunately, he couldn't quite make it, though he was lucky that the pew he was behind took the brunt of the blow. He flew several feet before landing in a heap with Victoria beneath him, but he struggled to his feet in short order.

When he turned, he saw the Unfinished Man struggle to keep on his feet with one leg twisted almost beyond recognition. Standing up, he reloaded Victoria and leveled the barrels at the Unfinished Man's face. It was a shame, particularly since it was going to be the second time he broke his unspoken rule to aim for mid-body. But, it was time to end this hunt so he would be ready for the next.

"For what it's worth, you've put up a good show old boy." he said cordially before he fired both barrels.

 

[IFS]

"For what it's worth, you've put up a good show old boy."

Half of the unfinished man's head exploded into shards of clay and dust, an anguished cry disturbingly similar to the priest's own sobs left what remained of its mouth as it collapsed lifeless before the hunter. The red light poured from the new wound with marvellous intensity, nearly blinding the hunter with brightness alone before fading from the still form. The pain the light brought would take longer to fade, filling Edward's mind and leaving him at least momentarily disabled from the sheer racking force of it. Regardless of how quickly he pulled himself together from it the light would likely haunt his dreams.

The portly devil rode ahead of the others, yelling and whooping with excitement as he rode down the fleeing spirifer drawing a strange weapon from his saddlebag and unfolding it. A cleverly designed multipart instrument that unfolded into a vicious looking polearm ending it a sickle like blade covered in small serrations he swung it low for the man's feet nearly tearing off one of them as he brought the man to the ground with a single swipe. What happened next was hidden from view by mist and rubble but the screams rang throughout the quarter.

The other two rode out just behind, galloping past Priscilla's hiding spot and beginning to circle Thomas and the others, the devil held a ratwork rifle with an oddly shortened barrel in his hands while the deviless held a bow of all things with one arrow knocked.

"Well well, some fight in these ones it seems," the devil commented, then glanced over at the deviless "Do you want the squid, the thug, or the soulless?"

The deviless seemed to turn up her nose at the word 'squid' "Hmph, I'll take the soulless fellow I suppose, you can have the others."

The devil smirked and lowered his gun with deliberate slowness "Excellent."

 

[DarkRawen]

"Well well, some fight in these ones it seems. Do you want the squid, the thug, or the soulless?"

Thomas narrowed his eyes as the devils arrived. 3 of them -though one was currently occupied- on horses, ready to hunt. He couldn't care less about who had brought them here, as it was clear that the group had become the targets.

"Hmph, I'll take the soulless fellow I suppose, you can have the others."

Soulless? That was the science bloke, whom Thomas had promised to protect. Would he have to fight then? From the looks of it, yes.

Seems like they can't stay the hell away.

It all made him angry. How dared they threaten him? And Aiden, and the squid?

Probably by being immortal.

That still lingered in his mind as a good reason to not fight, to run away and hope he could outrun the horses. Regardless, he would have to take them on.

"You'll have none of us," he barked. "I don't know why the bloody hell you are here, but we're not your play-things, got it?! You're not going to hunt any of us!"

He'd be a moron not to be wary of their kind. However, his eyes didn't flicker, they were unrelentingly glaring at the pair of devils circling around them like wild animals when they were hunting. He was the one growling, though. Thomas gripped his weapons tighter, and his mind naturally thought of it as a fight, if any of them made a motion that even resembled an attack, he'd fight back.

"So leave, now! Else I'll make you regret ever thinking about harming anyone here!"

 

[Quintley]

"So leave, now! Else I'll make you regret ever thinking about harming anyone here!"

Nigel was increasingly aware that the plan to stand its ground against the devils was a Very Bad Idea, but running away would only make the 'hunt' more entertaining. And it would be a shame to let Thomas get trampled into the ground alone, especially after his rousing speech. The growling noises were a little strange, however.

Nigel took a step forward, brandishing its official-looking document in what it hoped was a menacing gesture. It was fairly obvious that Nigel wasn't much to worry about in a straight fight, but it COULD challenge them with bureaucracy.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

"You'll have none of us, don't know why the bloody hell you are here, but we're not your play-things, got it?! You're not going to hunt any of us!"

Thomas, I hope to God you know what you're doing, Aidan thought frantically, looking from devil to devil. He was frozen in place next to the unconscious thug he had bound and looked on in wide-eyed fear. The thoughts of what lay in store for them should the devils have their way were too torturous to consider, but they lied in his head all the same. Before a sound could escape the chemist's mouth, he was stricken again by the sight of Nigel approaching the devils with documentation of some sort. Is it bloody mad? What makes him think a piece of paper is going to do any good in this situation?!

 

[sage42]

Priscilla pushed herself closer against the piece of rubble, daring not to breathe. She heard Thomas speak up, trying to intimidate the devils. He really is an idiot! What can that fool possibly hope to achieve!? She thought as she kept flicking her eyes back and forth. Then a small smile crept onto her lips. Maybe this could turn out better than expected. If the devils destroy them it would help me greatly, that moron would be dead and out of my hair, if they leave the body I could simply take the squids keys and see what he has stashed away exactly, and Aidan's bag wold be left defenseless. Who knows what other concoctions and recipes he could have stored away? Her smile grew a little wider. Oh Please, do continue Thomas. I would love to see what happens next in this little play your putting on.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

Edward M. Cutter, Esq.​

The moment the head of the Unfinished Man exploded in a shower of clay shards and a searing flash of red light, Edward staggered back in pain and nearly dropped Victoria as he dropped to one knee. For the next several minutes, he could only feel the pain slowly fade as his eyes adjusted, blinded from the flash.

He panted as he knelt in the ruins of the temple, waiting for his eyes to finally focus and the pain to ebb. If that was what killing a soul-eating Unfinished Man entailed, he shuddered to think just how bad it would've been to try and kill it once it had finished itself into whatever abomination it was becoming. In fact, he was beginning to wonder if maybe he was getting more than he had bargained for in regards to the Department. He was wanting more exciting hunts, but this wasn't what he had imagined.

But, as he shook his head blearily and stood on shaky legs, he pushed that thought aside. This was just a minor setback. It wasn't as if the Unfinished Man had done something more permanent to him, and even if he had, that was simply part of the risk. And the risk was what made the hunt so alluring, he reminded himself.

The hunter slowly made his way out of the temple, taking the time to brace himself against the frame of the front door before looking around. He spotted the devils right off, one of which was a deviless. With a brief struggle, he broke open Victoria and reloaded, then used the doorway as a support to level it at one of the devil's horses, though his aim was far from steady.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything gentlemen, lady. Those happen to be my comrades you're threatening. If you'd be so kind as to stop?" he asked politely, forcing his voice to betray nothing of his current condition.

 

[IFS]

"So leave, now! Else I'll make you regret ever thinking about harming anyone here!"

The devil calmly fired his gun at the ground at Thomas' feet sending dirt and shards of pottery flying into the air. His expression containing a mixture of amusement and pride. "Why don't you just run, be a good sport and give us a nice chase," he suggested as if discussing the weather or some other trivial matter, he seemed about to say more on the matter when Nigel began to wave documents in his face "I-... what? Get that out of my face you stupid creature!" he said, his voice carrying disgust and annoyance.

The deviless gave a high quiet laugh at her companion's annoyance and drew back her bow, raising it towards Aidan, "I don't really stand much chance of missing from here, but if you want to die and get it over with then that's fine too," she said, a hunger visible in her yellow eyes.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything gentlemen, lady. Those happen to be my comrades you're threatening. If you'd be so kind as to stop?"

The two seemed almost surprised by this interruption for a moment, then the devil gave a cold chuckle "Well it seems there is more amusing prey for you after all Alice."

The deviless smiled "And a gentlemanly looking fellow at that," she muttered, then spoke louder to address Edward "You are interrupting our sport sir, though perhaps if you're so eager to fire that gun of yours you will indulge a lady in a bit of a tete a tete, a duel, on foot of course I see no need to get my horse shot."

As she spoke she patted the back of the fearsome looking black beast's head, her gaze wandering between Edward and Aidan.

The devil spoke next, his gaze narrow and calculating "I'm sure you'll agree to be sporting with the lady, though I must insist your, out of the way damn squid!" he broke his monologue as he attempted to maneuver his horse around Nigel's brandishing of bureaucracy, managing to circle to a slightly more menacing looking position before continuing "'comrades' depart regardless, for their own safety of course." As he spoke he adjusted his aim slowly, the gun moving upwards until it was pointed more directly at Thomas, though his attentions still clearly distracted by Nigel's efforts, which he was making a strong effort to ignore altogether now.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

Edward M. Cutter, Esq.​

As the devils turned to look at him, Edward slowly straightened as the worst of the pain faded, and his vision cleared enough for him to get a good look at them in turn. In spite of his disposition towards devils, he had to quietly admit to himself that the deviless was rather attractive all-in-all, and from what her friend said regarding sport, they probably weren't so different.

"You are interrupting our sport sir, though perhaps if you're so eager to fire that gun of yours you will indulge a lady in a bit of a tete a tete, a duel, on foot of course I see no need to get my horse shot."

With a small frown beneath his mustache, he lowered Victoria and took a few cautious steps forward out of the temple doorway, sparing a glance for the other devil when he spoke up.

"I'm sure you'll agree to be sporting with the lady, though I must insist your--out of the way damn squid!--'comrades' depart regardless, for their own safety of course."

At that, the hunter nodded and turned to the others, namely Thomas, saying "Go ahead and report to Sir Marshall, tell him the Unfinished Man has been taken care of. I'll be along, for better or worse, once I'm finished here."

Then he fully faced the deviless and set Victoria on one shoulder so that he was free to doff his hat.

"Well Miss... Alice? I am Sir Edward Montgomery Cutter, big-game hunter and special constable for the Department of Menace Eradication. It's a pleasure." he said politely, placing his hat back on as he continued, "I'll agree to a fair and sporting duel. I assume that for a deviless such as yourself, the usual wager if I lose would be my soul, correct?"

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

"Go ahead and report to Sir Marshall, tell him the Unfinished Man has been taken care of. I'll be along, for better or worse, once I'm finished here."

"Ah, yes. Right away," Aidan piped nervously, eager to put this entire situation behind him. He stood and gathered his things. After a quick adjusting of his spectacles, the chemist tapped Thomas on the shoulder to get his attention and said quietly, "I think it would be in our best interests that we make our departure posthaste. Also," he added, motioning toward the bound thug on the ground, "if you would be so kind, some help with this unconscious chap would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure he has quite a few things to tell the constabulary. Perhaps Sir Marshall would appreciate at least one body still breathing from that lot, eh?"

 

[DarkRawen]

"Why don't you just run, be a good sport and give us a nice chase,"

"Why don't you just shut the bloody hell up, you vermin!" he replied, eyes dark and threatening. Thomas eyed the gun cautiously, though he was already a little too pissed off to care much about it. He didn't take kindly to being shot at and threatened, and certainly not to being mocked. His body was about to move on its own, if he acted right now, he could probably stab the bastard without getting too hurt.

However, the insane gentleman returned, having taken care of the unfinished man from the look of it, attempting to save the day or whatever.

"Go ahead and report to Sir Marshall, tell him the Unfinished Man has been taken care of. I'll be along, for better or worse, once I'm finished here."

Did Cutter really think Thomas would listen to him? Who the hell did this moron think he was talking to?!

"I won't do a damn thing If you---"

He stopped as he felt someone tap his shoulder. Furiously, he turned around -whoever was messing with him right now would certainly feel that he shouldn't be approached- though he bit his tongue when he noticed that it was the science guy. It took some effort to do, and his attempt to calm himself was visible as he closed his eyes. He didn't like taking his eyes of the damned devils, but they were fond of their deals, if nothing else.

"I think it would be in our best interests that we make our departure posthaste. Also, if you would be so kind, some help with this unconscious chap would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure he has quite a few things to tell the constabulary. Perhaps Sir Marshall would appreciate at least one body still breathing from that lot, eh?"

Thomas frowned -he didn't like the sound of letting Cutter do whatever he wanted-, but he nodded and did as he was told, sighing as he did.

"Fine." Opening his eyes, he leaned down and lifted the unconscious bloke with no difficulty. Almost throwing him over his shoulder, he held onto the legs. "I'll do as you tell me to, Aidan. Also, I didn't kill anyone, so I'm not taking any responsibility for that bloody mess." He wasn't sure why he felt the need to add that, he just did.

"Let's go then. You too, rubbery man." He wasn't sure where the corpse, the lady was or the clay man, but they would have to take care of themselves.

 

[sage42]

Priscilla listened as Cutter had finally showed up. Maybe He and Thomas could take one of the devils. Maybe. But just him alone. That would be suicide. She didn't want to see that happen to Cutter. He was the only one in the group she trusted to his own devices. Too honorable to question her, to obsessed with his hunting to look closer at her workings. But if he was willing to distract the devils to allow her get away......well, he was going to be hard to replace if nothing else. She quietly brought herself to her feet and stayed crouched. She would need to move quickly and quietly if she wanted to keep up with.....wait.

She looked back towards the temple. The spirifers would have a storage room with the souls they had been able to take. Souls were valuable. More valuable than Echos in the Neath, if one knew where to sell them. She smiled. Thank you Cutter, you brave stupid man. If I can repay you I will, all good dogs deserve a treat after all. She moved then, as quietly as she could, towards the temple. The fog surrounding the area would provide suitable cover so long a she stayed quiet. Then all she needed to do was find their vault.

 

[IFS]

"I'll agree to a fair and sporting duel. I assume that for a deviless such as yourself, the usual wager if I lose would be my soul, correct?"

"Why not," the deviless said as she dismounted "As for if you win, well let's just say you've won a lady's favor then."

Her yellow eyes glinted hungrily as she spoke, she patted her horse with one hand and it neighed loudly before trotting off into the mist. The devil chuckled to himself at the arrangement then looked down at the others.

"Let's go then. You too, rubbery man."

"I will... escort you out of the quarter," the devil said, pulling his horse to walk alongside them and resting his gun on one shoulder "it can be a confusing place for most after all and we wouldn't want you to come to any harm now would we?"

Priscilla made her way carefully into the temple unnoticed, as far as she could tell, by the devils. Fortunately for her it didn't require much searching to find the souls, there were crates along one wall but they were largely filled with other supplies only an occasional soul container empty or otherwise remained in them. Searching the floor though she quickly uncovered a spot where the spirifers had excavated, given away by the dirt and uneven tiles on the ground she pulled away the tiles to reveal a small pit full of glass jars. The souls contained within gave off a faint green light and looked up at her with large eyed glassy stares; there were enough that it would be difficult but not impossible to move them all out in one trip, and enough sacks lying about to give her the means to carry them.

Back outside the temple the deviless gave a small, almost mocking, curtsy before knocking an arrow to her bow though she didn't draw it back yet.

"I assume as a gentleman you'll allow me to start us off?" she said, her voice almost sounding as though it contained a cold laugh.

 

[Texas Joker 52]

Edward M. Cutter, Esq.​

The deviless seemed to glint as she dismounted, patting her horse once her feet were steady on the ground.

"Why not. As for if you win, well let's just say you've won a lady's favor then."

He had to smile as he nodded. "A favor from a deviless? I suppose that's equitable."

Stepping forward, he watched as the devil armed with the small ratwork rifle motioned to lead the others out of the quarter. Then he glanced back to the deviless as she gave a small curtsy and made sure to nock an arrow on her bow's string.

"I assume as a gentleman you'll allow me to start us off?"

She sounded amused, probably because of how polite he was being. But her question made him burst out into loud, boisterous laughter.

"Surely not! Milady, being a human I'm at a distinct disadvantage against you, and if you remember, you challenged me. Seeing as I accepted, I think it's only fitting that I'm the one that starts. If you don't mind, of course." he said, giving her a charming smile as he broke Victoria open to make sure she was loaded, then closed her with a harsh click.

"Any other rules to our duel that I should know before we begin, Miss Alice?" he asked cordially as he hefted his Elephant Gun.

 

[IFS]

The devil led the rest of the party away into the mist, smirking down on them smugly as they walked. His gun remained resting on one shoulder as his gaze wandered over the group eventually settling on Thomas.

"Are you certain none of you would be willing to run for me?" he said, a mocking tone to his voice "It would get you away from your companions inevitable screams."

"Any other rules to our duel that I should know before we begin, Miss Alice?"

The deviless smirked, settling into a firing stance and beginning to draw back her bow though she didn't raise it to aim yet "Just try not to bore me," she replied "Anytime you're ready then."

Not far off in the mist Viktor could hear the cries of Blemmigans, strange fungal creatures that inhabited the quarter. They weren't terribly threatening on their own, but tended to flock in groups. Perhaps it was time he left the quarter after the others, lest he have bits of him gnawed on by ambulatory fungi.

 

[sage42]

Priscilla's smile grew ever wider as she began to pull the souls out of the pit the spirifers had dug out. This many would set her up for a good while, and on top of the commission from the case she would be set. Priscilla old girl you've done it again. She thought as she loaded the jars into a doubled bag. The more insulation they had the harder they would be to hear or see. When the pit was empty and the bag was full she hefted it over her shoulder with a grunt. Bear the weight darling, it will be worth it in the end. She told herself. The bag was heavy, but this many souls were impossible to pass up. She would be able to get an entire pot of Honey, a good bottle of wine, maybe a ticket to the new play everyone had been raving about.

Or better yet, Information She thought happily as she made her way back to the temple entrance. Cutter and the deviless were still occupying each other. She could make out the shape of the rest of the group leaving. Plus one other shadow, a mounted one. Probably one of the trio that had accosted us. What to do? She could stay in hiding until Cutter dual was finished, try to sneak off after the dust had settled or try to join with the group. both option ran the chance of her getting caught however. She could always try to find a back way out of the temple, but who knew how long that would take. What to do what to do? She mused for a moment. Making up her mind Priscilla made her way around Cutter and the devils again. She would take her chance following the group from a distance, hopefully she would have the time to hide or get out of the way when the devil turned back.